The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
2 h 56 m
Average duration
2 h 56 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
171 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Diego, CA to El Monte, 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 San Diego, CA for El Monte, CA on Sat, May 09, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 09 the direct trains cover the 171 km distance in an average of 2 h 56 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 56 m .
On Sat, May 09 the slowest trains will take 2 h 56 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.
12:01 AM2h56San Diego, CA2:57 AMEl Monte, CA$411One-way0 transfers
12:01 AM2h56San Diego, CA2:57 AMEl Monte, CA$411One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $40, and a flight costs an average of $304.
Distance: 106 miles (171 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$41 Average price Cheapest | $49 Average price | $422 Average price |
3h 28m Average total duration 2h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 59m Average total duration 2h 59m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA costing on average $49 (€39).
A train is $382 (€305) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA costing on average $422 (€337).
Other travel options to El Monte, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 58m.
Flight takes on average 2h 59m.
Live departures
San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA trains for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
761 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 6:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
765 Pacific Surfliner | 6:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 8:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
567 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 9:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
769 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 10:57 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
573 Pacific Surfliner | 10:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 12:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
777 Pacific Surfliner | 12:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 2:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
579 Pacific Surfliner | 1:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 3:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
581 Pacific Surfliner | 2:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 4:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
785 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 6:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
587 Pacific Surfliner | 5:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 3h03 | 8:04 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:01 AM San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 2:57 AM El Monte, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, May 7 | |||||
591 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 9:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
593 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 10:57 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
595 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h56 | 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 prices and tickets San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA
Trains from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 58m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $40 (€32) but you can travel from only $39 (€31) 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 56m.
Distance 106 miles (171 km) |
Average train duration 2h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€32) |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 2h 56m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 10:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and El Monte, CA from $39 (€31). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to El Monte, 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 El Monte, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Diego, CA to El Monte, 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
- 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 San Diego, CA
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to El Monte, CA
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