- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$26
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
1 h 23 m
Average duration
1 h 25 m
Trains per day
24
Distance
99 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $26.
Of the 24 trains that leave San Juan Capistrano, CA for San Diego, CA on Sat, Aug 01, 24 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct trains cover the 99 km distance in an average of 1 h 25 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 23 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest trains will take 1 h 27 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.
588 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
566 Pacific Surfliner
562 Pacific Surfliner
562 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
790 Pacific Surfliner
588 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific SurflinerTrains from San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 23 times per day, taking around 1h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $25 (€20) but you can travel from only $15 (€12) by bus.
There are 22 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:26. The fastest train covers the 61 miles (99 km) distance in 1h 27m.
Distance 61 miles (99 km) |
Average train duration 1h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $25 (€20) |
Trains per day 23 |
Direct trains 22 |
Fastest train 1h 27m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 11:26 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 6 days |
The table below shows live departures for San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:26 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h23 | 8:49 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:26 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h38 | 9:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 10:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 9:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 11:07 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 10:52 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:25 AM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 2:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 1:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 5:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 7:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h27 | 9:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h26 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:25 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h42 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:26 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h24 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:26 PM San Juan Capistrano Station, San Juan Capistrano, CA | 1h38 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Juan Capistrano, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the San Juan Capistrano Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare San Juan Capistrano, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
San Juan Capistrano Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Cedar Creek Inn, El Adobe de Capistrano
Ticket office support is available at San Juan Capistrano Station. Information desks are located in the main waiting area.
Luggage storage is available at San Juan Capistrano Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at San Juan Capistrano Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at San Juan Capistrano Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Juan Capistrano Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Best Western Capistrano Inn, Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection, Residence Inn by Marriott Dana Point San Juan Capistrano.
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.
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