Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles: One-way, Round-Trip Journeys, Trains, and Ticket Price

Amtrak offers a direct route from San Diego to Los Angeles using the Pacific Surfliner train. The journey is about 3 hours, starting from Santa Fe Depot, with a stop at Los Angeles Union Station, before moving forward. It offers affordable pricing in both coach and business class cabins, i.e., $35 and $55, respectively. Passengers can use their previously earned points under guest rewards to book the tickets. Additionally, a cafe car is available on the train through which people can purchase food and beverages.

Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles Trip Information

The journey from Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles, and vice versa, is served by a single train line that runs several times a day.

• Train Line: Pacific Surfliner 
• Duration of the journey: 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours
• Distance: 120 miles 
• Frequency: It offers 13 daily round-trips between San Diego and Los Angeles.
• Departure Station: Santa Fe Depot (SAN)
• Arrival Station: Los Angeles Union Station (LAX)

Amtrak Ticket Price from San Diego to LA

Amtrak offers 13 trains on the Pacific Surfliner, which runs almost every 2 hours throughout the day, and ticket prices are nearly the same. However, only two cabins are available for booking, as private cabins are not offered on this train.

Amtrak Los Angeles to San Diego Train Schedule

NOTE: On May 18, 19, and June 26, Train 595 will operate as 1595 and depart from Santa Fe Depot at around 10.01 p.m. 

Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles Train Schedule

Pacific Surfliner Features and Amenities

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train travels along a 351-mile journey starting from San Diego and ending at San Luis Obispo and vice versa. The key destinations include:

• San Diego
• Orange County
• Los Angeles
• Ventura 
• Santa Barbara
• San Luis Obispo

It offers 13 daily round-trip services between San Diego and Los Angeles, containing Coaches and business class cabins. In addition, passengers can also access the free bus connection while traveling on the Pacific Surfliner. 

Seats Available

In this Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles journey, passengers have two options to book either the sitting Coach or Business Class.

Amtrak Coach Class: The seats are mostly available with both reserved and non-reserved options. It offers a generous legroom, placed in a 2×2 setting without any middle seat, at-seat trays, reading lights, and Amtrak electric outlets at every seat. Public restrooms are available. In addition, customers can earn 2 points for each dollar spent under the Amtrak guest rewards program.

Amtrak Business Class: This is the most premium cabin offered on the Pacific Surfliner with extra legroom, wide seats, and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage. By traveling in this cabin, passengers are eligible to earn 25% more bonus points in the guest rewards program.

Amenities Accessible on Amtrak San Diego to Los Angeles

1. Baggage Allowance: Both checked and carry-on bags have different limits, as per the Amtrak baggage policy. The carry-on bags must not exceed 28 x 22 x 11 inches.

2. Cafe Car: The Pacific Surfliner offers an onboard cafe with a variety of snacks, light meals, and beverages, and is located in the lower level of cabin 3. It also has alcoholic options available, but the customer must be 21 years or older to consume them. A valid photo identification will be required for the purchase of all beverage purchases.

3. Internet Connection: Passengers can access Amtrak wifi free of cost. But as the network is public and unencrypted, the speed can be low, and heavy file downloads won’t be available.

4. Pets on Pacific Surfliner: Amtrak only allows dogs and cats on board during this journey between San Diego and Los Angeles. They must remain in the carrier all the time, and an additional fee will be charged. The weight of the pet and the carrier together should not cross 20 pounds.

Why are Amtrak trains better for Los Angeles?

Taking the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Los Angeles is a better choice than driving or flying for most passengers.

1. No Traffic Stress

The drive from San Diego to Los Angeles can take anywhere from 2.5 to 4+ hours, depending on traffic, and LA traffic is unpredictable. The Pacific Surfliner covers the same distance in a consistent 2 hours 56 minutes, every single time, with no highway congestion.

2. Arrives in Los Angeles Directly

The train drops passengers off directly at Los Angeles Union Station, which is centrally located in downtown LA with easy access to the Metro, taxis, rideshares, and bus connections. There is no long drive from a distant airport or navigating LA freeway exits.

3. More Affordable Than Flying

With coach tickets starting from $36, the Pacific Surfliner is significantly cheaper than a last-minute flight between the two cities, especially when looking at airport transfers, baggage fees, and check-in time.

4. Comfort Over the Entire Journey

Passengers can move freely, use the cafe car, charge devices through Amtrak charging ports, connect to Wi-Fi, and enjoy the ride rather than driving or sitting in an airplane. Business class adds extra legroom and complimentary beverages for an upgrade in price.

5. Free Bus Connections

Passengers traveling on the Pacific Surfliner can also access free connecting bus services, extending the reach of the journey without any additional ticket cost.

Amtrak Discounts California Routes

Amtrak offers everyday discounts to passengers traveling on California routes through the Pacific Surfliner.

1. Amtrak Military Discount: Active military service members can save up to 15% on their personal and family tickets with the help of their identification card.

2. Veteran Discount: Similar to the military, active U.S. Veterans and their spouses can get a direct 15% discount while being on the Pacific Surfliner.

3. Amtrak Senior Discount: Passengers aged 62 years or older can receive a 15% discount on the adult fare. 

4. Amtrak Student Discount: With a valid student ID, people aged between 13 and 25 years can get 15% off on Amtrak tickets.

5. Disabilities: Passengers with a disability will be allowed a 15% concession on adult fare tickets of Amtrak.

6. Children’s Discount: Kids aged between 2 and 12 years can 50% off fares and should be accompanied by at least one adult.

Practical Tips for Amtrak Los Angeles to San Diego

Keeping these tips in mind before boarding the Pacific Surfliner can make the journey more cost-effective:

• Book in Advance: Amtrak fares can go up when the departure date is near, and seats are limited. Booking even a few days early can help in getting tickets at cheaper rates.

• Choose the Appropriate Departure Time: The Pacific Surfliner runs roughly every 2 hours throughout the day. Early morning and late evening departures tend to be less crowded.

• Validate Discounts Before Booking: Always check and apply the relevant discount at the time of booking rather than at the station, as discounts cannot always be applied after purchase.

• Arrive Early at Santa Fe Depot: Passengers must arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early, especially when traveling with bags. The boarding gates will close 5 minutes before departure.

• Carry Snacks or Use the Cafe Car: Bringing personal snacks is a good idea for passengers with specific dietary needs or those looking to save a little extra, as the cafe car will contain limited options to purchase.

For traveling on Amtrak from San Diego to Los Angeles or vice versa, passengers are required to board the Pacific Surfliner train. This line runs every 1 to 2 hours every day, offering thirteen trains. The prices generally remain the same, but can fluctuate depending on the travel season and seat availability.

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