The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$85
Average price
$125
Fastest journey
13 h 59 m
Average duration
15 h 9 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
738 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA will cost around $125 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $85.
It's difficult to get from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA without transferring at least once.
761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 5719 AMTRAK · 719 Gold Runner · 6619 AMTRAK
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight · 6619 AMTRAK
761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 5719 AMTRAK · 719 Gold Runner · 6619 AMTRAK
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight · 6619 AMTRAKTravel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €70. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 32m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €70, and a flight costs an average of €51.
Distance: 458 miles (738 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€73 Average price Cheapest | €82 Average price | €172 Average price |
13h 56m Average total duration 13h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 43m Average total duration 12h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | 2.2 - 4.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA trains for today, Monday, December 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight · 6619 AMTRAK | 2:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 16h44 | 6:45 AM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
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 San Francisco, 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.
Dec 02
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Dec 08
Why should you book San Diego to San Francisco trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from San Diego to San Francisco. 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 bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Diego to San Francisco.
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 bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Diego to San Francisco.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Trains from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 20 times per day, taking around 13h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $87 (€70) but you can travel from only $49 (€39) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 22:35. The fastest train covers the 458 miles (738 km) distance in 13h 15m.
Distance 458 miles (738 km) |
Average train duration 13h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $87 (€70) |
Trains per day 20 |
Fastest train 13h 15m |
First train 03:50 |
Last train 22:35 |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA from $49 (€39). 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 San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA
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