- Must visit
Seattle Art Museum
Major art museum with global collections, strong Native and modern holdings, and rotating blockbuster exhibitions downtown.
Cheapest price on Aug 29
$271
Average ticket price on Aug 29
$273
Fastest journey on Aug 29
1 d 13 h 41 m
Average journey duration on Aug 29
1 d 13 h 46 m
Trains on Aug 29
4
Distance
1712 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA will cost around $273 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $271.
It's difficult to get from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA without transferring at least once.
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast StarlightOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $208 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 44m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $208, while a train costs an average of $321.
Distance: 1063 miles (1712 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$321 Average price | $208 Average price Cheapest | $254 Average price |
37h 26m Average total duration 36h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 30h 24m Average total duration 29h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 44m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA:
A bus is $46 (€37) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA costing on average $254 (€205).
A bus is $113 (€91) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA costing on average $321 (€259).
Other travel options to Seattle, WA take longer:
Bus takes on average 29h 54m.
Train takes on average 36h 56m.
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA trains for today, Friday, August 28. 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 | 6:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 37h50 | 7:51 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight | 6:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 37h50 | 7:51 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight | 6:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 37h41 | 7:51 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight | 6:10 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 37h41 | 7:51 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, flight, 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.
Trains from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 36h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $174 (€140) but you can travel from only $110 (€89) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:01, the last at 09:55. The fastest train covers the 1063 miles (1712 km) distance in 37h 41m.
Distance 1063 miles (1712 km) |
Average train duration 36h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $174 (€140) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 37h 41m |
First train 4:01 AM |
Last train 9:55 AM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Seattle, WA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Seattle, WA trip today.
Major art museum with global collections, strong Native and modern holdings, and rotating blockbuster exhibitions downtown.
Immersive pop-culture museum with music, science fiction, gaming, and film exhibits in a Frank Gehry building.
Leading aviation museum featuring historic aircraft, spacecraft, and hands-on exhibits near Boeing Field.
Vast urban park with forests, beaches, bluffs, and trails, plus some of Seattle’s finest Puget Sound views.
Lively waterfront district with ferries, the Great Wheel, promenades, and classic Elliott Bay scenery.
Beloved hilltop park offering postcard views of downtown, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier, especially at sunset.
Cedar plank salmon is Pacific Northwest salmon roasted on cedar, adding smoky wood aroma. It reflects Seattle's strong salmon culture and regional cooking style.
Seattle-style teriyaki is grilled meat with sweet-savory sauce, usually over rice and salad. It became a defining everyday local meal across the city.
Geoduck is a large Pacific Northwest clam, often served raw or lightly cooked. It is prized locally for its sweet taste and connection to regional seafood.
Historic Pike Place Market spot famed for clam chowder, seafood sandwiches, and casual counter service with a lively market atmosphere.
Long-running market restaurant known for Dungeness crab cakes, seafood entrées, and views over Pike Place with a classic local feel.
Acclaimed fine dining destination focused on seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, refined tasting menus, and elegant service near Pike Place.
Seattle is pricier than many US cities, with higher hotel, dining, and parking costs. Transit is reasonable, but central stays and waterfront meals raise typical visitor budgets.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes often have tip jars or screens; small tips are appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA trains use the Santa Fe Depot to King Street Station station pair. Use this guide to compare San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Santa Fe Depot is 1 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Fe Depot has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Fish Market, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Fe Depot. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Fe Depot. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Fe Depot: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Westin San Diego, The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown.
Old Town Station is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Old Town Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town Mexican Cafe
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Old Town Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Old Town Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Old Town Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Old Town Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Old Town Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Old Town Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
King Street Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The London Plane, Salumi
Ticket office support is available at King Street Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at King Street Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at King Street Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at King Street Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at King Street Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square, The Arctic Club Seattle - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Best Western Plus Pioneer Square Hotel Downtown.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need