The cheapest and fastest trains from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
$69
Average price
$87
Fastest journey
8 h 47 m
Average duration
9 h
Trains per day
8
Distance
429 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, 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 Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA will cost around $87 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
Of the 8 trains that leave San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA for Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA on Wed, May 27, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 27 the direct trains cover the 429 km distance in an average of 9 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 47 m .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest trains will take 9 h 17 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 Surfliner12:12 PM8h55San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA9:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner6:11 AM8h56San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA3:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner4:17 PM8h47San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1:04 AMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner9:50 AM9h17San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA7:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$871One-way1 transfer
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner4:00 AM9h07San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$871One-way1 transfer
794 Pacific Surfliner4:17 PM8h47San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1:04 AMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner12:12 PM8h55San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA9:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner6:11 AM8h56San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA3:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$691One-way0 transfers
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner4:00 AM9h07San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$871One-way1 transfer
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner9:50 AM9h17San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA7:07 PMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$871One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $68. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 8m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $68, and a flight costs an average of $249.
Distance: 266 miles (429 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$69 Average price Cheapest | $298 Average price | $79 Average price | $70 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 23m Average total duration 8h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 8m Average total duration Fastest 5h 8m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 52m Average total duration 10h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 48m 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 Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA:
A train is $10 (€8) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA costing on average $79 (€64).
A train is $229 (€185) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA costing on average $298 (€241).
Other travel options to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 53m.
Bus takes on average 10h 22m.
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.
Live departures
San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA trains for today, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1:30 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 9h37 | 11:07 PM 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 · 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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
Trains from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 8h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $68 (€55) but you can travel from only $47 (€38) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:12, the last at 23:12. The fastest train covers the 266 miles (429 km) distance in 8h 52m.
Distance 266 miles (429 km) |
Average train duration 8h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price $68 (€55) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 8h 52m |
First train 12:12 AM |
Last train 11:12 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Train companies: Amtrak from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA and Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA from $47 (€38). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, 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 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available on-site with both short-term and long-term options.
- Novo Restaurant & Lounge
- Firestone Grill
- Outside the main entrance.
- $1
- Apple Farm Inn
- Hotel San Luis Obispo
- Granada Hotel & Bistro
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a single platform with a waiting area and ticketing services.
- Bus: SLO Transit Route 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5
- RTA Route 9
- 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
