- Must visit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Major Smithsonian museum with American art from colonial to contemporary periods, including works in the shared Penn Quarter complex. Worth the short trip from Union Station.
Cheapest price
$40
Average price
$40
Fastest journey
2 h 47 m
Average duration
2 h 47 m
Trains per day
13
Distance
174 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA will cost around $40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
Of the 13 trains that leave Old Town Station, San Diego, CA for Union Station, Los Angeles, CA on Sun, Jun 28, 13 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 28 the direct trains cover the 174 km distance in an average of 2 h 47 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 47 m .
On Sun, Jun 28 the slowest trains will take 2 h 47 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.
593 Pacific Surfliner
573 Pacific Surfliner
765 Pacific Surfliner
581 Pacific Surfliner
567 Pacific Surfliner
593 Pacific Surfliner
573 Pacific Surfliner
765 Pacific Surfliner
581 Pacific Surfliner
567 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 47m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $24, and a flight costs an average of $133.
Distance: 108 miles (174 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$39 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $391 Average price | $9 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 17m Average total duration Fastest 2h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration 3h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 9m Average total duration 6h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $3 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA costing on average $39 (€32).
A bus is $355 (€293) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA costing on average $391 (€322).
Other travel options to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 12m.
Flight takes on average 6h 9m.
Tickets start at around $39 (€32) compared to roughly $9 (€8) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-29.22 (€-24.08). The journey takes 2h 47m versus 2h 24m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Saturday, June 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
761 Pacific Surfliner | 4:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 6:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
765 Pacific Surfliner | 6:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 8:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
567 Pacific Surfliner | 7:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 9:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
769 Pacific Surfliner | 8:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 10:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
573 Pacific Surfliner | 10:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 12:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
777 Pacific Surfliner | 12:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 2:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
579 Pacific Surfliner | 1:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
581 Pacific Surfliner | 2:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 4:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
785 Pacific Surfliner | 4:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 6:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
587 Pacific Surfliner | 5:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h54 | 8:04 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
591 Pacific Surfliner | 7:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 9:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
593 Pacific Surfliner | 8:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 10:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
595 Pacific Surfliner | 9:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 2h47 | 11:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, CA run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $37 (€31) but you can travel from only $24 (€20) by bus.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:10, the last at 22:10. The fastest train covers the 108 miles (174 km) distance in 2h 47m.
Distance 108 miles (174 km) |
Average train duration 2h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 (€31) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 2h 47m |
First train 3:10 AM |
Last train 10:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Union Station — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Union Station trip today.
Major Smithsonian museum with American art from colonial to contemporary periods, including works in the shared Penn Quarter complex. Worth the short trip from Union Station.
One of the leading art museums in the US, with masterworks spanning Europe and America plus a noted sculpture garden. A top cultural stop in central Washington.
Smithsonian museum near Union Station showcasing American mail history, stamp collections, and historic postal vehicles. A strong nearby museum choice for visitors arriving by rail.
Washington's monumental central park-like corridor lined with museums and memorials. Essential for walking between many of the city's headline sights.
Historic waterfront neighborhood with cobbled streets, Federal architecture, and scenic canal-side walks. A classic favorite beyond the monumental core.
Picturesque waterfront walking area best known for cherry blossoms and views of major memorials. One of Washington's most photographed outdoor spots.
A smoky, coarse-ground sausage, often split and topped with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of Washington, D.C.'s signature street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce popular on fried chicken and wings in Washington, D.C. It is a distinctive local carryout staple.
An oversized pizza slice associated with late-night eating in Washington, D.C. It is especially famous in nightlife areas.
A respected restaurant in the Union Market area, known for steaks, grilled meats, and a polished but relaxed atmosphere.
A historic, well-known Washington restaurant near the National Mall, popular for oysters, crab cakes, and classic American fare in a traditional setting.
A large, established downtown restaurant known for American dishes, sushi, and a lively atmosphere. Convenient for visitors exploring central Washington.
Costs are moderate for a major U.S. transit hub. Fast food is affordable, but sit-down dining and drinks nearby can be pricey.
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up for taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 1-5 depending on service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Old Town Station, San Diego, CA to Union Station, Los Angeles, 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 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need