- 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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around £88 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £60.
To travel from Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA you need to make at least one change.
4794 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner
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4794 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner
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4794 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner
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718 Gold Runner · 5818 Connecting Bus
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718 Gold Runner · 5818 Connecting Bus
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718 Gold Runner · 5818 Connecting Bus
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718 Gold Runner · 5818 Connecting Bus
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714 Gold Runner · 5714 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner
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712 Gold Runner · 5712 Connecting Bus · 790 Pacific Surfliner
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714 Gold Runner · 5714 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner
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Trains from Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 14h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £79 but you can travel from only £37 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 732 km distance in 14h 42m.
Distance 732 km |
Average train duration 14h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price £79 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 14h 42m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 22:15 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA.
The table below shows live departures for Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Tuesday 10 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
710 Gold Runner · 5810 Connecting Bus · 786 Pacific Surfliner | 8:18 Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 12h49 | 21:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2 changes | |
11 Coast Starlight · 5818 Connecting Bus | 8:39 Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 20h56 | 5:35 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
712 Gold Runner · 5712 Connecting Bus · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 10:28 Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 12h39 | 23:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2 changes | |
714 Gold Runner · 5714 Connecting Bus · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:28 Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 12h36 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2 changes | |
718 Gold Runner · 5818 Connecting Bus | 17:58 Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 11h37 | 5:35 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 change |
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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the Jack London Square to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare Oakland, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Jack London Square is 1 km from Oakland city centre. Public transport options include:
Jack London Square has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Yoshi's Oakland, Scott's Seafood Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Jack London Square. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Jack London Square. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Jack London Square: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Jack London Square: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Jack London Square: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Waterfront Hotel, Z Hotel Jack London Square, Executive Inn & Suites.
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 Oakland, CA and San Diego, CA, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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