- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
Extensive naval aviation museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier. Visit for flight decks, restored aircraft, and hands-on maritime history.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £21.
On Mon 02 Nov, we found 5 trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 123 km distance in an average of 1 h 43 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 24 times per day, taking around 1h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
There are 24 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:12. The fastest train covers the 123 km distance in 1h 36m.
Distance 123 km |
Average train duration 1h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price £21 |
Trains per day 24 |
Direct trains 24 |
Fastest train 1h 36m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 23:12 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA.
The table below shows live departures for Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
562 Pacific Surfliner | 7:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h52 | 9:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 10:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 11:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 13:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 14:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 13:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 15:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
580 Pacific Surfliner | 16:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 18:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 17:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 19:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
584 Pacific Surfliner | 18:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 20:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 2 November | |||||
![]() | 2:12 Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 4:07 San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 19:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 21:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
588 Pacific Surfliner | 20:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 22:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 21:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h55 | 23:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Extensive naval aviation museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier. Visit for flight decks, restored aircraft, and hands-on maritime history.
Major Balboa Park art museum with Spanish old masters, Asian art, and sculpture. A strong choice for architecture and varied collections.
Interactive Balboa Park museum exploring anthropology, culture, and race. Climb the tower for city views with a separate ticket.
Large urban cultural park with gardens, museums, theatres, and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Ideal for walking and a full day out.
Historic district with preserved 19th-century buildings, museums, and lively public spaces. Visit for local heritage and easy walking.
Clifftop coastal reserve with trails, wild shoreline views, and sea caves nearby. A popular local spot for sunsets and walks.
A large flour tortilla stuffed with carne asada, chips, cheese, guacamole and salsa. It is a San Diego taqueria classic with strong border-city roots.
Fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and salsa. This indulgent late-night favourite is strongly associated with San Diego taco shops.
Beer-battered local white fish in tortillas with cabbage and crema. Baja-style fish tacos are a defining everyday food in San Diego’s coastal dining scene.
Casual seafood counter known for Baja-style fish tacos and fried seafood near the beach. Lively, unfussy and popular with locals and visitors.
Busy taqueria famous for carne asada fries, burritos and other San Diego taco-shop staples. Informal atmosphere and reliable late-night choice.
Historic Little Italy restaurant serving hearty Italian-American classics, sandwiches and house specialities. Old-school atmosphere with strong local character.
San Diego is pricier than many US cities, with high hotel and dining costs, though tacos, casual eats and public transport can help keep daily spending manageable.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, and $1-2 for café drinks if table service or special prep is involved.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in San Diego, CA.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the Irvine Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Irvine Station is 8 km from Irvine city centre. Public transport options include:
Irvine Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Del Frisco's Grille, The Cheesecake Factory
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Irvine Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Irvine Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Irvine Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Irvine Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Irvine Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Marriott Irvine Spectrum, Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum, DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum.
Santa Fe Depot is 1 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Fe Depot has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Fish Market, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Fe Depot. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Fe Depot. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Fe Depot: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Westin San Diego, The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown.
Old Town Station is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Old Town Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town Mexican Cafe
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Old Town Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Old Town Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Old Town Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Old Town Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Old Town Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Old Town Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
Check train stations information for Irvine, CA and San Diego, CA, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need