- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck views, and naval history exhibits. One of the city’s signature attractions.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$33
Fastest journey
2 h 6 m
Average duration
2 h 6 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
136 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Orange, 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 Orange, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 2 trains that leave Orange, CA for San Diego, CA on Sat, Jun 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 06 the direct trains cover the 136 km distance in an average of 2 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 6 m .
On Sat, Jun 06 the slowest trains will take 2 h 6 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Orange, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 56m. 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 $11, and a train costs an average of $32.
Distance: 84 miles (136 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$33 Average price | $24 Average price Cheapest | $19 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 30m Average total duration 2h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 26m Average total duration Fastest 1h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 32m 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 Orange, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Orange, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $33 (€26).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 0m.
Tickets start at around $33 (€26) compared to roughly $19 (€15) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-13.63 (€-10.97). The journey takes 2h 0m versus 1h 32m 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 Orange, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
562 Pacific Surfliner | 6:49 AM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h15 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h03 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h48 | 8:49 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 7:49 AM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 10:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 10:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 9:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 AM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 11:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 11:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 10:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 10:49 AM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 11:49 AM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 2:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 1:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 2:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 12:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 3:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 5:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 4:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
![]() | 12:01 AM Orange, CA | 2h06 | 2:07 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 5:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 7:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 6:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 7:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 9:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h18 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h50 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 10:49 PM Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, CA | 2h15 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h49 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h03 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Orange, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 32 times per day, taking around 2h 0m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by bus.
There are 31 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:01. The fastest train covers the 84 miles (136 km) distance in 2h 6m.
Distance 84 miles (136 km) |
Average train duration 2h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Trains per day 32 |
Direct trains 31 |
Fastest train 2h 6m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 11:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck views, and naval history exhibits. One of the city’s signature attractions.
Balboa Park’s major art museum, known for European old masters, Asian art, and rotating exhibitions in a landmark Spanish Colonial Revival building.
Contemporary art museum with strong regional and international programming, especially noted for its oceanfront La Jolla location and modern exhibitions.
San Diego’s flagship urban park, packed with gardens, museums, Spanish Colonial architecture, plazas, and highly photogenic walking paths.
A scenic coastal area known for sea lions, cliffs, turquoise water, and one of the city’s most photographed ocean viewpoints.
The city’s best-known historic downtown district, lined with Victorian-era buildings, lively streets, and a strong day-to-night atmosphere.
Beer-battered or grilled fish in a tortilla, usually topped with cabbage, crema, and salsa. A signature San Diego favorite shaped by Baja California influence.
A San Diego staple burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa. It is one of the city’s most iconic late-night and taqueria foods.
French fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. This indulgent border-style dish is strongly associated with San Diego taco shops.
Established waterfront seafood restaurant in Point Loma known for fresh local catch, fish sandwiches, and harbor views.
Legendary casual spot in Barrio Logan known for traditional Mexican plates, handmade tortillas, and an old-school local atmosphere.
Popular casual venue celebrated for fish tacos, smoked fish tacos, and fresh coastal Baja-style seafood in a laid-back setting.
San Diego is pricey by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining, though tacos, casual eats, and happy hours can help keep daily costs lower.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 nightly for hotel housekeeping.
Traveling between Orange, CA and San Diego, CA is a delightful experience thanks to the convenient train connection provided by Amtrak. The journey offers scenic views of Southern California's landscapes as you traverse approximately 90 miles along the coast. With comfortable seating and onboard amenities, passengers can relax while enjoying the ride. Whether you're heading for a day trip or an extended stay in vibrant San Diego, this rail service makes it easy to explore both cities without the hassle of driving.
Traveling from Orange to San Diego takes approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes. There are 8 direct connections available each day between these two cities.
The first daily train journey departs from Orange at 5:01 AM, allowing early risers to start their day with a scenic trip. The last departure is scheduled for 11:01 PM, providing late-night travelers the opportunity to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of San Diego before heading back.
The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Orange and San Diego is $26 (23.4€). The average ticket price tends to be around $29 (26.1€), making it a convenient option for travelers looking to explore Southern California's beautiful coastline.
Welcome to Balboa Park, a stunning 1,200-acre urban oasis that dates back to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. This cultural gem is significant not only for its beautiful gardens and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture but also as home to world-class museums and theaters that celebrate art, science, and history. One of its unique features is the iconic Botanical Building with over 2,100 plants on display; it’s a perfect spot for photos or simply soaking in nature's beauty.
Next up is the USS Midway Museum, housed within one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers which played a pivotal role during key conflicts from World War II through Operation Desert Storm. The significance of this floating museum lies in its ability to bring naval aviation history alive through interactive exhibits and restored aircraft that tell stories of bravery at sea. What sets it apart are the self-guided audio tours narrated by former Midway sailors themselves—offering an authentic glimpse into life aboard this legendary ship.
Finally, we arrive at Cabrillo National Monument where you can stand atop Point Loma and gaze out over San Diego Bay while learning about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's historic landing here in 1542—the first European contact with California's coast. This site holds great significance as it commemorates both exploration and natural preservation amidst breathtaking coastal views teeming with diverse wildlife like tide pools filled with vibrant marine life. A truly unique feature here is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse; climbing up offers panoramic vistas unlike any other place in San Diego!
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Orange, 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.

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