How much does a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Diego cost?

The average train ticket price from San Luis Obispo to San Diego is $65. The best way to find train tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Diego is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the train trip from San Luis Obispo to San Diego?

A train trip between San Luis Obispo and San Diego is around 8h 44m, although the fastest train will take about 8h 30m. This is the time it takes to travel the 264 miles that separates the two cities.

How many daily trains are there between San Luis Obispo and San Diego?

The number of trains from San Luis Obispo to San Diego can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 5. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from San Luis Obispo to San Diego by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which train companies travel from San Luis Obispo to San Diego?

When taking the train from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Once in San Diego, you can explore the city. The top sights and things to do are Boat Tours in San Diego, San Diego Zoo, Coronado, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, USS Midway Museum.

Train San Luis Obispo to San Diego from $55 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 20
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 21
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 22
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 23
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 24
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 25
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 26
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to San Diego on November 27
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	Cheapest
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
Train	6:11am	AMTRAK Station	8h 39m	2:50pm	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	4:20pm	AMTRAK Station	8h 30m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags
Train	3:37pm	AMTRAK Station	9h 13m	12:50am	Old Town San Diego	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 1:26 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from San Luis Obispo to San Diego

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 8 hours 44 minutes and with fares starting at just $65, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5train per day

8h 44mAverage Duration

267 milesDistance

39kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$32 - $123	Average Duration10h	CO₂ emissions 11kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$65 - $130	Average Duration8h 44m	CO₂ emissions 39kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,594 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5594 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $59

Amtrak San Luis Obispo San Diego recent customer reviews

Very nice

Maria Angelica E.

May 15, 2023

Train and bus companies in US:Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US by train

How much does a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Diego cost?
How long is the train trip from San Luis Obispo to San Diego?
How many daily trains are there between San Luis Obispo and San Diego?
Which train companies travel from San Luis Obispo to San Diego?
What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Find cheapest prices for trains

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

11/17

$61

11/18

$61

Today

$61

11/20

$61

11/21

$61

11/22

$61

11/23

$61

11/24

$61

The cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Nov 17, 2025 with a price of $61

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $61 to $312 for a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $61 which is on 2025-11-20.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time10h	Avg Price$68	Daily Departures4
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time8h 44m	Avg Price$65	Daily Departures5

The best way to travel between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, CA, US is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $65 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $65. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to San Diego, CA, US, choose the train, as it will take you from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, CA, US in about 8h 44m - that's the fastest way to get there!