- 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.
Cheapest price
£22
Average price
£22
Fastest journey
1 h 37 m
Average duration
1 h 39 m
Trains per day
26
Distance
123 km
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 £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £22.
Of the 26 trains that leave Irvine, CA for San Diego, CA every day 26 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 123 km distance in an average of 1 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 37 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 40 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.
580 Pacific Surfliner
584 Pacific Surfliner
564 Pacific Surfliner
790 Pacific Surfliner
588 Pacific Surfliner
562 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
790 Pacific Surfliner
580 Pacific Surfliner
584 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 43m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a train costs an average of £21.
Distance: 123 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£21 Average Price | £20 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 13m Average total duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 24m Average total duration 1h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Monday 3 August. 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 | 1h37 | 8:49 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
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 | |
564 Pacific Surfliner | 8:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 9:52 Old Town Station, 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 | |
566 Pacific Surfliner | 9:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 10:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 11:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 12:52 Old Town Station, 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 | |
572 Pacific Surfliner | 12:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 13:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 13:12 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1h40 | 14:52 Old Town Station, 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 | 1h40 | 17:52 Old Town Station, 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 | 1h40 | 18:52 Old Town Station, 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 | 1h40 | 19:52 Old Town Station, 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 | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Irvine, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 20 times per day, taking around 1h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
There are 19 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 39m.
Distance 123 km |
Average train duration 1h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price £21 |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 19 |
Fastest train 1h 39m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 23:12 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
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.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need