The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$398
Average price
$404
Fastest journey
2 d 20 h 9 m
Average duration
3 d 7 h 2 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
3653 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC will cost around $404 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $398.
Of the 2 trains that leave San Diego, CA for Washington, DC on Fri, Nov 28, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Nov 28 the direct trains cover the 3653 km distance in an average of 3 d 7 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 d 20 h 9 m .
On Fri, Nov 28 the slowest trains will take 3 d 17 h 55 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, bus, and flight for San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €116. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 1m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €116, and a train costs an average of €257.
Distance: 2269 miles (3653 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€375 Average price | €215 Average price | €188 Average price Cheapest |
62h 42m Average total duration 62h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 1m Average total duration Fastest 6h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 65h 56m Average total duration 65h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Washington, DC trains for today, Thursday, November 27. 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 | 73h43 | 10:44 PM Washington, DC | 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 Washington, DC by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Dec 04
Why should you book San Diego to Washington trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from San Diego to Washington. 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Diego to Washington.
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, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Diego to Washington.
Journey information
Overview: Train from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
Trains from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC run on average 6 times per day, taking around 62h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $318 (€257) but you can travel from only $129 (€104) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 10:59, the last at 16:40. The fastest train covers the 2269 miles (3653 km) distance in 68h 9m.
Distance 2269 miles (3653 km) |
Average train duration 62h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $318 (€257) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 68h 9m |
First train 10:59 |
Last train 16:40 |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and Washington, DC from $129 (€104). 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 Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
- 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
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak.
- Amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
- Shake Shack
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop
- Chopt Creative Salad Co.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Thunder Grill
- Johnny Rockets
- Jamba Juice
- Ladurée Union Station
- & many more
- Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
- Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill
- Phoenix Park Hotel
- Kimpton George Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
- Metro lines: Red
- Bus lines: D6, D8, 80, 96,
- Train lines: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Fredericksburg Line, MARC Brunswick, MARC Camden, MARC Penn, Manassas Line, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Service/Palmetto, Vermonter
Most popular train connections from San Diego, CA
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
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