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Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $30 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 2h 15m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $30, while a bus costs an average of $46.
Distance: 76 miles (123 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$30 Average price Cheapest | $46 Average price | $18 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 17m Average total duration 1h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 21m 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.
Compare ways to travel from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Compare the available ways to get from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is $17 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $46.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 17m.
Tickets start at around $30 compared to roughly $18 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$11. The journey takes 1h 47m versus 1h 21m 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.
Travel optionsfrom Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
How to get from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:30 PM 1h15 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 9:45 PM La Jolla, UCSD Health La Jolla Station, CA $24 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
- FlixBus
8:30 PM 1h15 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 9:45 PM La Jolla, UCSD Health La Jolla Station, CA $24 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
- FlixBus
8:30 PM 1h15 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 9:45 PM La Jolla, UCSD Health La Jolla Station, CA $24 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- 562 Pacific Surfliner
7:12 AM 1h37 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA 8:49 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA $30 1 One-way 0 transfers - 794 Pacific Surfliner
11:12 PM 1h38 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA $30 1 One-way 0 transfers - 790 Pacific Surfliner
9:12 PM 1h39 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA $30 1 One-way 0 transfers
- FlixBus
8:30 PM 1h45 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 10:15 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA $24 1 One-way 0 transfers 
10:05 PM 1h45 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 11:50 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA $29 1 One-way 0 transfers10:00 AM 1h45 Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) 11:45 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA $31 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA
Travel to San Diego, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is $17 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $46.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 17m.
- Around 24 trains per day.
- Around 11 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA and arrive in Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) and arrive in San Diego, CA.
- Travel with Futura Net, FlixBus, Greyhound, Infobus to go to San Diego, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to San Diego, CA by train.
- 11 direct buses per day with Futura Net, FlixBus, Greyhound, Infobus.
- 24 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA: related information
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