- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
Museum aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and audio tours on San Diego Bay.
Cheapest price
$69
Average price
$86
Fastest journey
8 h 33 m
Average duration
8 h 43 m
Trains per day
19
Distance
431 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $86 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
Of the 19 trains that leave San Luis Obispo, CA for San Diego, CA on Sun, Jun 21, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct trains cover the 431 km distance in an average of 8 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 33 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest trains will take 8 h 52 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.
786 Pacific Surfliner
774 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
774 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
774 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $61. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 15m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $61, and a flight costs an average of $116.
Distance: 267 miles (431 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price Cheapest | $291 Average price | $90 Average price | $69 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 14m Average total duration 8h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 25m Average total duration 7h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is $23 (€19) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $90 (€74).
A train is $224 (€183) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $291 (€238).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 55m.
Train takes on average 8h 44m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} 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.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner | 9:30 AM San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h37 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner | 9:50 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h02 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner | 9:50 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h17 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h40 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h55 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 1:15 PM San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h52 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 1:30 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h37 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 1:30 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h21 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4794 AMTRAK · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 3:30 PM San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h34 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 5818 AMTRAK | 3:37 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 13h58 | 5:35 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 3:37 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h27 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 3:37 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h13 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 4:17 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h33 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 4:17 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h47 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner | 3:45 AM San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h22 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner | 4:00 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h07 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner | 4:00 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h52 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 6:11 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h41 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 6:11 AM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 8h56 | 3:07 PM 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
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.
Trains from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 15 times per day, taking around 8h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $61 (€50) but you can travel from only $52 (€43) by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:45, the last at 16:40. The fastest train covers the 267 miles (431 km) distance in 8h 38m.
Distance 267 miles (431 km) |
Average train duration 8h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $61 (€50) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 8h 38m |
First train 3:45 AM |
Last train 4:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
Museum aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and audio tours on San Diego Bay.
Balboa Park art museum known for Spanish old masters, South Asian works, and rotating exhibitions in a landmark building.
Leading contemporary art museum with major postwar and current works, especially strong in Southern California and Pacific Rim artists.
Vast cultural park with gardens, museums, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, walking paths, and some of San Diego's best photo spots.
Scenic cove known for sea lions, clear water, coastal cliffs, and highly shareable sunset and ocean-view walks.
Wide sandy beach beside the Hotel del Coronado, popular for walking, photography, and classic Southern California scenery.
Beer-battered or grilled local fish in tortillas, usually topped with cabbage, crema, and salsa. A signature coastal San Diego staple with strong Baja influence.
A San Diego original burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa. It is one of the city’s most iconic late-night and casual foods.
French fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. This indulgent dish is strongly associated with San Diego taco shop culture.
Popular waterfront seafood restaurant serving fresh local catch, fish tacos, and sandwiches in a relaxed harbor setting near the fishing fleet.
Historic, no-frills Mexican restaurant famous for house-made tortillas, rolled tacos, and comforting traditional plates. A beloved local institution with a classic atmosphere.
Iconic casual spot in Ocean Beach known for oversized burgers, fries, and a lively beach-town vibe. A long-standing San Diego favorite.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels, dining, and parking near the coast and downtown.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and valet.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the San Luis Obispo Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare San Luis Obispo, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
San Luis Obispo Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Novo Restaurant & Lounge, Firestone Grill
Free.
Ticket office support is available at San Luis Obispo Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at San Luis Obispo Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at San Luis Obispo Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at San Luis Obispo Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Luis Obispo Station.
Nearby hotels include Apple Farm Inn, Hotel San Luis Obispo, Granada Hotel & Bistro.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need