The cheapest and fastest trains from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$479
Average price
$583
Fastest journey
2 d 20 h
Average duration
3 d 2 h 41 m
Trains per day
6
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 $583 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $479.
It's difficult to get from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC without transferring at least 2 times.
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 50 Cardinal2:10 PM73h34Old Town Station, San Diego, CA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4791One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 50 Cardinal2:01 PM73h43Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4791One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 41 Floridian2:01 PM68h09Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5211One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 41 Floridian2:10 PM68h00Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5211One-way2 transfers
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 6 California Zephyr · 41 Floridian4:10 PM90h00Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$7501One-way3 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 41 Floridian2:10 PM68h00Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5211One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 41 Floridian2:01 PM68h09Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$5211One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 50 Cardinal2:10 PM73h34Old Town Station, San Diego, CA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4791One-way2 transfers
581 Pacific Surfliner · 4 Southwest Chief · 50 Cardinal2:01 PM73h43Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA6:44 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$4791One-way2 transfers
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 6 California Zephyr · 41 Floridian4:10 PM90h00Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:10 PMWashington Union Station, Washington, DC$7501One-way3 transfers
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 flight with prices starting from $110. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $110, and a train costs an average of $296.
Distance: 2269 miles (3653 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$753 Average price | $275 Average price Cheapest | $342 Average price | $552 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
62h 52m Average total duration 62h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 58m Average total duration Fastest 5h 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 65h 56m Average total duration 65h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 38h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC:
A flight is $67 (€54) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC costing on average $342 (€276).
A flight is $478 (€386) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC costing on average $753 (€607).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 62h 22m.
Bus takes on average 65h 26m.
Tickets start at around $753 (€607) compared to roughly $552 (€445) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-201.15 (€-162.29). The journey takes 62h 22m versus 38h 43m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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, Wednesday, May 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 | 68h09 | 5:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:40 PM San Diego, CA | 67h30 | 5:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:01 PM San Diego, CA | 68h09 | 6:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:01 PM San Diego, CA | 95h43 | 10:44 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:10 PM San Diego, CA | 90h00 | 5:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect |
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.
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
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 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $296 (€239) but you can travel from only $110 (€89) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 10:32, the last at 16:40. The fastest train covers the 2269 miles (3653 km) distance in 67h 9m.
Distance 2269 miles (3653 km) |
Average train duration 62h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price $296 (€239) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 67h 9m |
First train 10:32 AM |
Last train 4:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Diego, CA to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Diego, CA and Washington, DC from $110 (€89). 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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