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 |
![]() 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 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).
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 25m.
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 optionsfrom San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA
How to get from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
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.
FlixBus12:15 PM2h05San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA$231One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus12:15 PM2h05San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA$231One-way0 transfers
Fastest
03:51 PM1h39San Diego, CA5:30 PMIrvine, CA$771One-way0 transfers
Other options
FlixBus11:55 AM2h25San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA$231One-way0 transfers
FlixBus · FlixBus8:40 AM5h40San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center2:20 PMIrvine, UCI Crawford Hall (West Peltason Dr), CA$371One-way1 transfer
07:51 AM1h39San Diego, CA9:30 AMIrvine, CA$771One-way0 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.

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).
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 25m.
- 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.
- 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).
- Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound, Infobus to go to Irvine, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
- 7 direct buses per day with Infobus.
Travelling from San Diego, CA to Irvine, CA: related information
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