- Must visit
Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT)
Major cultural complex with rotating art, history, and regional exhibitions. A top stop for understanding Baja California and Tijuana's identity.
Cheapest price on Sep 15
$33
Average ticket price on Sep 15
$33
Fastest journey on Sep 15
1 h 48 m
Average journey duration on Sep 15
1 h 50 m
Trains on Sep 15
26
Distance
160 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana 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 Tijuana will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $33.
On Tue, Sep 15, we found 26 trains from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana, including 26 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 15 the direct trains cover the 160 km distance in an average of 1 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 48 m .
On Tue, Sep 15 the slowest trains will take 1 h 51 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
580 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific Surfliner
782 Pacific Surfliner
770 Pacific Surfliner
562 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
790 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
572 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $33 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 31m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $33, while a bus costs an average of $59.
Distance: 99 miles (160 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$33 Average price Cheapest | $59 Average price | $1 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 31m Average total duration Fastest 2h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana:
A train is $26 (€21) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana costing on average $59 (€48).
Other travel options to Tijuana take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 1m.
Tickets start at around $33 (€27) compared to roughly $1 (€0.92) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-31.97 (€-25.88). The journey takes 2h 1m versus 1h 51m 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 Tijuana trains for today, Monday, September 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:01 PM Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 8:07 PM Tijuana | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:01 PM Santa Ana, CA | 2h06 | 1:07 AM Tijuana | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Tijuana run on average 17 times per day, taking around 2h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) but you can travel from only $25 (€20) by bus.
There are 17 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:01. The fastest train covers the 99 miles (160 km) distance in 1h 48m.
Distance 99 miles (160 km) |
Average train duration 2h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Trains per day 17 |
Direct trains 17 |
Fastest train 1h 48m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 11:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Tijuana — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tijuana trip today.
Major cultural complex with rotating art, history, and regional exhibitions. A top stop for understanding Baja California and Tijuana's identity.
Museum inside CECUT focused on Baja California history, archaeology, and local development through well-curated permanent displays.
Contemporary art museum known for ambitious exhibitions, experimental programming, and strong links to the border art scene.
Tijuana's best-known avenue for walking, street life, shops, and public art, with historic importance and constant energy.
Scenic beachside area where visitors can walk the boardwalk, see the border fence meet the ocean, and enjoy sea views.
Major modern district with monuments, business towers, plazas, and cultural venues. Useful for walking between key city sights.
Caesar salad was created in Tijuana in 1924 at Caesar's. Prepared tableside with romaine, croutons, Parmesan, egg, Worcestershire, and lime.
Tijuana's Baja-style fish taco features battered local fish, cabbage, crema, and salsa in a corn tortilla. It is a defining border-city street food.
A grilled marinated shrimp taco, usually served on a corn tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. It reflects Tijuana's coastal Baja flavors.
Acclaimed Baja Med restaurant by chef Javier Plascencia, known for inventive regional dishes and a polished contemporary setting.
Casual mariscos specialist celebrated for fresh seafood tostadas, ceviches, and Baja-style fish tacos in a lively local atmosphere.
Historic dining room famous for the original Caesar salad, prepared tableside. Elegant yet classic atmosphere in central Tijuana.
Moderate for Mexico: hotels near Zona Río cost more, but tacos, coffee, and local transit stay affordable for most visitors.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants if not included. Round up or add a small tip for cafes. Taxis do not require tips, but rounding up is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana 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 Tijuana, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Ana, CA to Tijuana trains use the Santa Ana Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Ana, CA and Tijuana train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Santa Ana Station is 1 km from Santa Ana city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Ana 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: The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, Chapter One: the modern local
Ticket office support is available at Santa Ana Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Ana Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Ana Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Ana Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Ana Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Ana, Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange County Airport.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need