The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA
Cheapest price
$38
Average price
$39
Fastest journey
3 h 35 m
Average duration
3 h 40 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
139 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA will cost around $39 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $38.
Of the 2 trains that leave San Diego, CA for Riverside, CA on Fri, Jan 09, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jan 09 the direct trains cover the 139 km distance in an average of 3 h 40 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 35 m .
On Fri, Jan 09 the slowest trains will take 3 h 44 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.




Travel Information
Compare train and bus for San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €14. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, and a train costs an average of €31.
Distance: 86 miles (139 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€31 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest |
3h 34m Average total duration 3h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA trains for tomorrow, Friday, January 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:01 PM San Diego, CA | 3h44 | 12:45 AM Riverside, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:10 PM San Diego, CA | 3h35 | 12:45 AM Riverside, 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 Riverside, 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.
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Why should you book San Diego to Riverside trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from San Diego to Riverside. Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Diego to Riverside.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Amtrak tickets can only be bought on Omio or Amtrak's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Amtrak tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from San Diego to Riverside.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA
Trains from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) but you can travel from only $18 (€14) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 06:01, the last at 15:25. The fastest train covers the 86 miles (139 km) distance in 3h 35m.
Distance 86 miles (139 km) |
Average train duration 3h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 35m |
First train 06:01 |
Last train 15:25 |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and Riverside, CA from $18 (€14). 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 Riverside, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Diego, CA to Riverside, 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
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available 7 days a week with multiple entry and exit points.
- Mission Inn Restaurant
- The Salted Pig
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Hyatt Place Riverside/Downtown
- The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
- Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Platform 1: Metrolink services
- Platform 2: Amtrak services
- Bus: Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) routes available
- Metrolink: 91/Perris Valley Line, Inland Empire-Orange County Line, Riverside Line
Most popular train connections from San Diego, CA
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to Riverside, CA
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