The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Cheapest price
$86
Average price
$87
Fastest journey
7 h 34 m
Average duration
7 h 34 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
392 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA will cost around $87 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $86.
Of the 2 trains that leave San Diego, CA for Santa Maria, CA on Thu, Nov 27, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Nov 27 the direct trains cover the 392 km distance in an average of 7 h 34 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 34 m .
On Thu, Nov 27 the slowest trains will take 7 h 34 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 bus and train for San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €25. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 7h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €25, and a train costs an average of €70.
Distance: 243 miles (392 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€70 Average price | €38 Average price Cheapest |
7h 50m Average total duration Fastest 7h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 53m Average total duration 7h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA trains for today, Wednesday, November 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK | 2:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 7h24 | 9:25 PM Santa Maria, CA | 1 transfer | |
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK | 2:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 7h15 | 9:25 PM Santa Maria, CA | 1 transfer | |
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 4:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 7h29 | 11:30 PM Santa Maria, CA | 1 transfer | |
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 4:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 7h20 | 11:30 PM Santa Maria, CA | 1 transfer | |
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 Santa Maria, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Why should you book San Diego to Santa Maria trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from San Diego to Santa Maria. 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 and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Diego to Santa Maria.
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 and train to find the ideal travel option from San Diego to Santa Maria.
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Trains from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 7h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $86 (€70) but you can travel from only $31 (€25) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:01, the last at 16:40. The fastest train covers the 243 miles (392 km) distance in 7h 34m.
Distance 243 miles (392 km) |
Average train duration 7h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $86 (€70) |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 7h 34m |
First train 04:01 |
Last train 16:40 |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and Santa Maria, CA from $31 (€25). 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 Santa Maria, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA
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