San Diego to Los Angeles train

Trains from San Diego to Los Angeles

Leaving the environs of one sunny southern California metropolis for another is made easy thanks to numerous trains per day running from San Diego to Los Angeles. Though the journey time can vary, the route doesn't require changing trains, and most rides clock in at around 3 hours. The departures are also spread out throughout the day, offering plenty of flexibility to leisure travelers and business commuters alike. Finally, taking a train from San Diego to Los Angeles is particularly special thanks to stretches of track that run directly alongside the Pacific Ocean, offering passengers uniquely fantastic views as they travel between these two major Californian cities.

Which train companies travel from San Diego to Los Angeles?

For a train from San Diego to Los Angeles, expect to take Amtrak, which operates this route, known as the Pacific Surfliner. Travelers have the option to book coach or business class tickets in advance. It's also possible to take a bicycle on most of the Amtrak trains from San Diego to Los Angeles, though do keep in mind that a bicycle spot will have to be reserved beforehand.

How long is the train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles?

An Amtrak train from San Diego to Los Angeles can take between 2 hours and 39 minutes and 3 hours and nine minutes, making this a quick and easy way to travel between these two cities, avoiding some of LA's legendary traffic. There are also two different stations at which to embark in San Diego: Santa Fe Depot and the Old Town Transportation Center. However, catching the train at either one or the other makes very little difference in terms of total travel time, as the stations are just a few minutes from one another by rail. It's best to get on at whichever station happens to be more convenient to the journey's San Diego starting point.

How many trains are there from San Diego to Los Angeles?

There are usually around 13 trains from San Diego to Los Angeles per day. The majority leave from early in the morning through mid-afternoon, with the first train typically departing Santa Fe Depot around 4:00 a.m. The latest train is usually scheduled out of Old Town Transportation Center just after 9:00 p.m. Keep in mind that Amtrak trains stop at Santa Fe Depot first, then pick up in Old Town Transportation Center about seven minutes later, before leaving San Diego to head toward LA's Union Station. With the day's 13 or so trains spread throughout the day between early morning and evening, this particular journey by rail is a convenient option for most travelers.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from San Diego to Los Angeles?

Departure stations: Santa Fe Depot is a historic, conveniently located, and limited-mobility accessible railway hub in downtown San Diego, also known as Center City. First opened in 1887 and totally rebuilt in 1915 in a Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, this station is well-connected to San Diego's public transportation, which is operated via trolley and bus. Given its bustling location, there is ample dining near the station. Additionally, travelers can walk to the oceanfront and museums like the Maritime Museum and the USS Midway Museum.

Old Town Transportation Center is found in San Diego's charming Old Town area. This is a limited-mobility accessible station that is fairly basic (there are no restrooms, for example, and it's not possible to check luggage here when traveling on an Amtrak train from San Diego to Los Angeles). From Old Town Transportation Center, travelers can also get on trolleys or the San Diego public bus system, as well as the intercity commuter rail. The station is directly adjacent to Old Town's parks, museums, and shopping and dining, while the distance to the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, for example, is around 20 minutes via the Green line trolley or number 30 bus.

Arrival station: Los Angeles Union Station is a stately travel hub built in 1939 and is, to this day, the biggest passenger railway station in the western United States. Besides being limited-mobility accessible and worth a look in its own right, thanks to great architecture and a soaring ceiling, Union Station offers plenty of both on-the-go and seated dining. The museums, shopping, and dining of downtown Los Angeles are easy to get to, between 10 and 20 minutes away by numerous public buses or the Los Angeles Metro, the city's subway system. To reach the ocean and the bustling area of, for example, Santa Monica, the trip is somewhat longer, about an hour and 10 minutes on the 733 bus line.