- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck views, and naval history exhibits. One of the city’s signature attractions.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$33
Fastest journey
2 h 6 m
Average duration
2 h 6 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
132 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 4 trains that leave Santa Ana, CA for San Diego, CA on Wed, May 27, 4 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 132 km distance in an average of 2 h 6 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 6 m .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest trains will take 2 h 6 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 54m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $30.
Distance: 82 miles (132 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$33 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $19 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 24m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 25m Average total duration 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $8 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $33 (€26).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 55m.
Tickets start at around $33 (€26) compared to roughly $19 (€15) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-13.63 (€-10.99). The journey takes 1h 54m versus 1h 28m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 1:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 6:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 4:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 5:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
![]() | 12:01 AM Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 2:07 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, May 25 | |||||
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 8:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 6:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 7:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 7:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h51 | 9:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 8:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 10:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h50 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 2h03 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 11:01 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 1h49 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
![]() | 6:01 PM Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 8:07 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:01 PM Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 9:07 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 21 times per day, taking around 1h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€25) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by bus.
There are 19 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:01. The fastest train covers the 82 miles (132 km) distance in 2h 3m.
Distance 82 miles (132 km) |
Average train duration 1h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€25) |
Trains per day 21 |
Direct trains 19 |
Fastest train 2h 3m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 11:01 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
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.
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck views, and naval history exhibits. One of the city’s signature attractions.
Balboa Park’s major art museum, known for European old masters, Asian art, and rotating exhibitions in a landmark Spanish Colonial Revival building.
Contemporary art museum with strong regional and international programming, especially noted for its oceanfront La Jolla location and modern exhibitions.
San Diego’s flagship urban park, packed with gardens, museums, Spanish Colonial architecture, plazas, and highly photogenic walking paths.
A scenic coastal area known for sea lions, cliffs, turquoise water, and one of the city’s most photographed ocean viewpoints.
The city’s best-known historic downtown district, lined with Victorian-era buildings, lively streets, and a strong day-to-night atmosphere.
Beer-battered or grilled fish in a tortilla, usually topped with cabbage, crema, and salsa. A signature San Diego favorite shaped by Baja California influence.
A San Diego staple burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa. It is one of the city’s most iconic late-night and taqueria foods.
French fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. This indulgent border-style dish is strongly associated with San Diego taco shops.
Established waterfront seafood restaurant in Point Loma known for fresh local catch, fish sandwiches, and harbor views.
Legendary casual spot in Barrio Logan known for traditional Mexican plates, handmade tortillas, and an old-school local atmosphere.
Popular casual venue celebrated for fish tacos, smoked fish tacos, and fresh coastal Baja-style seafood in a laid-back setting.
San Diego is pricey by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining, though tacos, casual eats, and happy hours can help keep daily costs lower.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 nightly for hotel housekeeping.
The train connection between Santa Ana, CA and San Diego, CA is a convenient option for travelers looking to explore the beautiful Southern California coastline. Operated by Amtrak, this route offers comfortable seating and scenic views along the way. With multiple departures throughout the day, passengers can easily plan their journey to enjoy all that San Diego has to offer.
Traveling from Santa Ana to San Diego takes approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes. There are 8 direct connections available each day. Passengers will depart from Santa Ana Station and can arrive at either Old Town Station or Santa Fe Depot in San Diego.
The first daily train journey departs from Santa Ana at 5:01 AM, providing an early start for travelers heading to the vibrant city of San Diego. The last departure is scheduled for 9:01 PM, allowing visitors ample time to explore and enjoy all that San Diego has to offer before returning in the evening.
The cheapest ticket price for the train connection between Santa Ana and San Diego is $25 (22.5€). The average ticket price tends to be around $29 (26.1€), making it a convenient option for travelers looking to explore these vibrant Californian cities.
Welcome to Balboa Park, a stunning cultural oasis that dates back to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. This sprawling park is not only home to beautiful gardens and historic architecture but also houses world-class museums, making it a vital center for arts and culture in San Diego. One of its unique features is the iconic California Tower, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and serves as a symbol of San Diego's rich heritage.
Next on our journey is the USS Midway Museum, an aircraft carrier turned museum that played a pivotal role in U.S. naval history from World War II through Operation Desert Storm. As you explore this floating city at sea, you'll discover fascinating exhibits showcasing life aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers while gaining insight into military aviation advancements over decades. Don't miss stepping onto the flight deck where you can see vintage planes up close—it's truly an unforgettable experience!
Finally, we arrive at Cabrillo National Monument, commemorating Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's landing on the West Coast in 1542—the first European explorer to do so! This site not only celebrates maritime exploration but also boasts stunning coastal views and diverse ecosystems within its protected areas. A highlight here is visiting Old Point Loma Lighthouse; standing atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean provides both historical context and awe-inspiring scenery that captures nature’s beauty perfectly.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, 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.

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