San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA Train

Travel by train from San Diego, CA, to San Francisco, CA

The train from San Diego, CA, to San Francisco, CA, lasts on average 15 hr 6 min. Around 6 trains depart a day from San Diego to San Francisco. The average price is $94.10, and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $69.84.

Amtrak operates the train journey from San Diego to San Francisco. There is no direct train connection between San Diego and San Francisco because Sanfran doesn't have a railway. Its construction is planned, but Amtrak currently secures a bus link to the closest Amtrak railway stations. Their buses transfer passengers from stations serving San Joaquin and the Pacific Surfliner in Oakland and Santa Barbara. Other nearby train stations are in Emeryville and Hayward. The prices remain in the same price range. 

The San Joaquin Amtrak service is a rail service that runs between Bakersfield and Oakland, California. It operates seven days a week and serves various cities along the route of the San Joaquin Valley, the leading agriculture area of California, equally stunning as the coast. It usually guarantees coach seats and has an onboard cafe if you are in the mood for refreshments.

The Pacific Surfliner train line is the direct service between Louis Obispo and San Diego. Before reaching San Diego, the line serves Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente Pier, Oceanside, and Solana Beach. The average speed is 41.2 miles per hour (66 km/h), but it can reach speeds up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). 

Be prepared for stunning South Californian scenery. The train will take you along the coast, and some of the country's best surfing spots, and the trains feature enough racks to bring your surfing board or bicycle along. All trains also feature free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a Market Cafe with snacks, beverages, and fresh food. All cats and dogs up to 20 pounds are welcome on board.

The ticket prices may vary depending on how early you book, so securing them at your earliest convenience is recommended. Children 2-12 travel at a lower fare on all Amtrak trains.

There are two stations in San Diego where you can start your journey:

1. Old Town Station is a perfect place to arrive, as it is located close to the Old Town San Diego, a state historic park and one of the earliest settlements in the US, as well as to Presidio Palace, the site of the Old Spanish fort. San Diego Trolley, local buses, and the Coaster commuter rail that links northern San Diego County's oceanside communities also use Old Town as one of their stations. 
2. Sante Fe Depot is the city's main train terminal. Also built in a Spanish Colonial style, reflecting San Diego's turbulent past, it serves as a station of the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley light rail transit service and the COASTER commuter rail service. 

San Francisco does not have a railway station (yet!). Amtrak secures a bus connection from the nearest Amtrak station to the Salesforce Transit Center. The station is served by local lines such as BART, Muni, AC lines, and Golden Gate Transit, which take you downtown or to the broader Bay Area. The station has diverse coffee places, restaurants, and free wifi. Keep in mind there is no luggage storage or parking at the station. 

San Francisco is the city of cable cars, hilly streets, fog, tech and gay culture, and culture in general. Whether you decide to catch a show at North Beach, check out the Museum of Modern Art, or stroll the city and take in sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, you will understand the immense cultural aura this Sanfran has and still possess. The waterfront is an integral part of the city's identity -fantastic seafood dishes at the Fishermans Warf, seals at Pier 39, and of course, Alcatraz, the most famous prison in the world. Take your pick.

So if you plan to travel to San Francisco from San Diego by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of rail, bus, and flight destinations to help you find the best price. Check out our handy price calendar below, where you can see the best prices across all modes of transport between San Diego and San Francisco.