- Must visit
Discovery Cube Orange County
Children’s museum with hands-on exhibits, role-play spaces, and creative activities. Ideal for families seeking interactive indoor fun.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £23.
On Tue 17 Nov, we found 5 trains from San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 132 km distance in an average of 2 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 1 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 1 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 San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA run on average 23 times per day, taking around 1h 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £23 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.
There are 23 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 23:12. The fastest train covers the 132 km distance in 1h 49m.
Distance 132 km |
Average train duration 1h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price £23 |
Trains per day 23 |
Direct trains 23 |
Fastest train 1h 49m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 23:12 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
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 San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA.
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA trains for today, Sunday 15 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
573 Pacific Surfliner | 10:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 12:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
573 Pacific Surfliner | 10:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 12:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
777 Pacific Surfliner | 12:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 14:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
777 Pacific Surfliner | 12:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 14:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
579 Pacific Surfliner | 13:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 15:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
579 Pacific Surfliner | 13:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 15:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
581 Pacific Surfliner | 14:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 16:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
581 Pacific Surfliner | 14:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 16:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
785 Pacific Surfliner | 16:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 18:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
785 Pacific Surfliner | 16:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 18:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
587 Pacific Surfliner | 17:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h03 | 19:04 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
587 Pacific Surfliner | 17:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h54 | 19:04 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 16 November | |||||
![]() | 2:01 San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 4:02 Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 15 November | |||||
591 Pacific Surfliner | 19:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 21:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 16 November | |||||
![]() | 3:01 San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 5:02 Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
591 Pacific Surfliner | 19:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 21:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
593 Pacific Surfliner | 20:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 22:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
593 Pacific Surfliner | 20:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h52 | 22:02 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
595 Pacific Surfliner | 21:01 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1h58 | 22:59 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
595 Pacific Surfliner | 21:10 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1h49 | 22:59 Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 17:01 San Diego, CA | 2h01 | 19:02 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Ana, CA trip today.
Children’s museum with hands-on exhibits, role-play spaces, and creative activities. Ideal for families seeking interactive indoor fun.
Art museum focused on California and Pacific art, with rotating exhibitions and sculpture gardens beside the civic centre.
Community art centre and gallery presenting contemporary exhibitions, classes, and events in Santa Ana’s downtown arts district.
Creative downtown district with galleries, murals, independent shops, and regular arts events. A lively area for walking and local culture.
Historic downtown spine lined with restored buildings, theatres, shops, and street art. A practical base for exploring central Santa Ana.
Large urban park with lakes, walking paths, playgrounds, and sports areas. Popular for relaxed outdoor time in the city.
Crisp corn tortilla tacos filled with slow-cooked beef, served with consommé for dipping. A defining Orange County Mexican favourite with roots in nearby taqueria culture.
Corn tortillas dipped in red chilli sauce and filled with cheese or meat. Long tied to Mexican family cooking widely found in Santa Ana’s traditional eateries.
A hearty hominy soup usually made with pork and red or green chillies. It is a celebratory Mexican dish strongly represented in Santa Ana’s local food scene.
Bustling taqueria known for birria, tacos and late-night comfort food. Casual, lively and deeply rooted in Santa Ana’s Mexican dining scene.
Established casual venue celebrated for Jaliscan-style goat birria and traditional Mexican plates. Straightforward, local and family-friendly.
Popular local spot serving tacos, quesabirria and other Mexican street-food favourites in a simple, energetic setting.
Santa Ana is moderate for US city breaks: hotels and dining are cheaper than central Los Angeles, but car travel, parking and attraction costs can still add up.
Tip 15-20% in restaurants, 18-20% for very good service. Round up or add 10% for taxis. Cafés often have tip jars; $1-2 is common for drinks.
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 Santa Ana, CA.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA trains use the Santa Fe Depot to Santa Ana Station station pair. Use this guide to compare San Diego, CA and Santa Ana, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
Santa Ana Station is 1 km from Santa Ana city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Ana Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, Chapter One: the modern local
Ticket office support is available at Santa Ana Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Ana Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Ana Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Ana Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Ana Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Ana, Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange County Airport.
Check train stations information for San Diego, CA and Santa Ana, CA, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need