The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
$88
Average price
$88
Fastest journey
8 h 49 m
Average duration
8 h 49 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
392 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Maria, 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 Maria, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $88 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $88.
Of the 1 trains that leave Santa Maria, CA for San Diego, CA on Tue, Dec 23, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 23 the direct trains cover the 392 km distance in an average of 8 h 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 49 m .
On Tue, Dec 23 the slowest trains will take 8 h 49 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.


Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €63. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 6h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €63, and a bus costs an average of €70.
Distance: 243 miles (392 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€69 Average price Cheapest | €70 Average price |
8h 32m Average total duration 8h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 20m Average total duration Fastest 6h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Monday, December 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:15 PM Santa Maria, CA | 8h49 | 6:04 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA by bus or train
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.
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Why should you book Santa Maria to San Diego trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Santa Maria to San Diego. Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Amtrak with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santa Maria to San Diego.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Amtrak tickets can only be bought on Omio or Amtrak's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Amtrak tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Santa Maria to San Diego.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
Trains from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $79 (€63) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:01, the last at 16:48. The fastest train covers the 243 miles (392 km) distance in 8h 24m.
Distance 243 miles (392 km) |
Average train duration 8h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $79 (€63) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 8h 24m |
First train 04:01 |
Last train 16:48 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, CA from $79 (€63). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Maria, 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available with several spaces for commuters and visitors.
- Casa Guadalajara
- Old Town Mexican Cafe
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- $0.25
- Old Town Inn
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town
- Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town
- 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
- Trolley: Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available including 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 88, 105, 150, 923, 928
Most popular train connections from Santa Maria, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego, CA
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