The cheapest and fastest trains from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
2 h 54 m
Average duration
2 h 54 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
171 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 1 trains that leave El Monte, CA for San Diego, CA on Tue, Dec 23, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 23 the direct trains cover the 171 km distance in an average of 2 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 54 m .
On Tue, Dec 23 the slowest trains will take 2 h 54 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €26. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 57m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €26, and a flight costs an average of €55.
Distance: 106 miles (171 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€33 Average price | €27 Average price Cheapest | €135 Average price |
3h 27m Average total duration Fastest 2h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 0m Average total duration 6h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 34m Average total duration 8h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Monday, December 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
562 Pacific Surfliner | 2:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 5:04 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 3:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 6:04 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 4:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h57 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 5:51 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 15h13 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h57 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 7:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h57 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 11:04 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 11:10 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 2:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, December 23 | |||||
582 Pacific Surfliner | 12:10 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 3:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
784 Pacific Surfliner | 1:10 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 4:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
586 Pacific Surfliner | 2:10 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 5:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:10 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 7:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 6:10 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 2h54 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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Dec 29
Why should you book El Monte to San Diego trains with Omio?
Amtrak as well as Metrolink Trains offer trains services from El Monte to San Diego. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from El Monte to San Diego.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Amtrak, but also compare tickets for the likes of Metrolink Trains to find the best option for your trip from El Monte to San Diego.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from El Monte to San Diego.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Amtrak tickets can be bought on Amtrak's website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Metrolink Trains to help you choose the right option for your journey from El Monte to San Diego.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from El Monte to San Diego.
Journey information
Overview: Train from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
Trains from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) but you can travel from only $32 (€26) by bus.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 22:10. The fastest train covers the 106 miles (171 km) distance in 2h 54m.
Distance 106 miles (171 km) |
Average train duration 2h 57m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 2h 54m |
First train 03:50 |
Last train 22:10 |
Train companies: Amtrak, Metrolink Trains from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak, Metrolink Trains trains will get you between El Monte, CA and San Diego, CA from $32 (€26). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
Metrolink Trains
FAQs: Trains from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby with various public and private options.
- The Fish Market
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- $1.25
- The Westin San Diego
- The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Coaster trains
- Hall 2: Trolley connections
- San Diego Trolley: Blue Line, Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
More options for your journey from El Monte, CA to San Diego, CA
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