The cheapest and fastest trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
$29
Average price
$30
Fastest journey
1 h 37 m
Average duration
1 h 39 m
Trains per day
26
Distance
123 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $30 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $29.
Of the 26 trains that leave Irvine, CA for San Diego, CA on Mon, May 25, 26 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 25 the direct trains cover the 123 km distance in an average of 1 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 37 m .
On Mon, May 25 the slowest trains will take 1 h 40 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.
774 Pacific Surfliner1:12 PM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA2:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
562 Pacific Surfliner7:12 AM1h37Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA8:49 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
782 Pacific Surfliner5:12 PM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA6:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
566 Pacific Surfliner9:12 AM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA10:52 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner7:12 PM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA8:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
562 Pacific Surfliner7:12 AM1h37Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA8:49 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner11:12 PM1h38Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA12:50 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
790 Pacific Surfliner9:12 PM1h39Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA10:51 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner1:12 PM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA2:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
782 Pacific Surfliner5:12 PM1h40Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA6:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$291One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 43m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, and a train costs an average of $28.
Distance: 76 miles (123 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$29 Average price | $28 Average price Cheapest | $18 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 13m Average total duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 24m Average total duration 1h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $1 (€1) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $29 (€24).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 54m.
Tickets start at around $29 (€24) compared to roughly $18 (€15) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-11.33 (€-9.17). The journey takes 1h 43m versus 1h 21m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h37 | 8:49 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h52 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 9:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 10:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 10:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 11:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:12 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 2:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 1:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 5:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 7:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 9:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h39 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 11:07 PM 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 Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
May 25
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May 29
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May 31
Journey information
Overview: Train from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 20 times per day, taking around 1h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $28 (€23) but you can travel from only $18 (€14) by bus.
There are 19 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:12. The fastest train covers the 76 miles (123 km) distance in 1h 39m.
Distance 76 miles (123 km) |
Average train duration 1h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€23) |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 19 |
Fastest train 1h 39m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 11:12 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Train companies: Amtrak, Metrolink Trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak, Metrolink Trains trains will get you between Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA from $18 (€14). 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 Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available 7 days a week with multiple lots around the station.
- Del Frisco's Grille
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum
- Located in the main hall
- 54 places, covered
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Metrolink and Amtrak
- Bus: Several lines available
- Shuttle: Local shuttle services
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available with several spaces for commuters and visitors.
- Casa Guadalajara
- Old Town Mexican Cafe
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- $0.25
- Old Town Inn
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town
- Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town
- 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
- Trolley: Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available including 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 88, 105, 150, 923, 928
Most popular train connections from Irvine, CA
More options for your journey from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
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