How to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA

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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $26 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 13m. 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 bus costs an average of $26, while a train costs an average of $30.

Distance: 76 miles (123 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$30

Average price

$26

Average price

Cheapest

$26

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 13m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 43m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 25m

Average total duration

1h 55m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 29m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

FlixBus

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.

The cheapest way to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is a bus with an average price of $26 (€21).

This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA:

A bus is $3 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $30 (€24).

The fastest way to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is by train with an average journey time of 2h 13m.

Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 25m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between San Diego, CA and Irvine, CA including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around $30 (€24) compared to roughly $26 (€21) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-3.98 (€-3.22). The journey takes 1h 43m versus 1h 29m 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 options
from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA

How to get from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    12:15 PM2h05
    San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA
    2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA
    $231One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    12:15 PM2h05
    San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA
    2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA
    $231One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Futura Net0
    3:51 PM1h39
    San Diego, CA
    5:30 PMIrvine, CA
    $771One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    11:55 AM2h25
    San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA
    2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA
    $231One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    8:40 AM5h40
    San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center
    2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA
    $371One-way
    1 transfer
  • Futura Net0
    7:51 AM1h39
    San Diego, CA
    9:30 AMIrvine, CA
    $771One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA

Travel to Irvine, 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 San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between San Diego, CA and Irvine, CA including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is a bus with an average price of $26 (€21).

This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA:

A bus is $3 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $30 (€24).

The fastest way to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is by train with an average journey time of 2h 13m.

Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 2h 25m.

The distance from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is approximately 76 miles (123 km).
The average frequency per day from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA is:
  • Around 22 trains per day.
  • Around 7 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Diego, CA and Irvine, CA as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA:
  • Trains mostly depart from Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA and arrive in Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA.
  • Buses mostly depart from San Diego, CA and arrive in Anaheim, Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound, Infobus to go to Irvine, CA by bus.
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA:
  • 7 direct buses per day with Infobus.
Omio customers who travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA often also extend their vacation to go to Los Angeles, CA, West Carson, CA, San Francisco, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, San Jose, CA. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Irvine, CA and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Irvine, CA to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Irvine, CA, you can enjoy a variety of activities and sights. Visit Tanaka Farms for family-friendly tours and fresh produce picking, or catch a performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Explore the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for bird watching and nature enjoyment. Thrill-seekers can race at K1 Speed's indoor go-kart track, while those looking for relaxation can picnic or paddle boat at William R. Mason Regional Park. For sightseeing, the Orange County Great Park offers sports facilities and a panoramic helium balloon ride, while the Irvine Spectrum Center provides shopping, dining, and entertainment. Hiking and scenic views await at Bommer Canyon, and families can explore Pretend City Children's Museum for interactive play. Art enthusiasts can visit the Irvine Museum to appreciate California Impressionist art.
To fully explore Irvine, CA, including its parks, museums, and nearby attractions, a stay of 2 to 3 days is generally sufficient.
HomeTravelTravel to USATravel to Irvine, CAHow to travel from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA

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