How much is the train ticket from San Diego to San Luis Obispo?

The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to San Luis Obispo start from R 1 108. The average price for this train route is around R 1 108. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

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

The average train journey time from San Diego to San Luis Obispo is 8h 47m, covering a distance of 425 km. The quickest train can get you there in 8h and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the San Diego to San Luis Obispo route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 5 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Diego to San Luis Obispo?

The earliest train from San Diego to San Luis Obispo departs at 04:01. And the latest train departs at 13:10.

Train San Diego to San Luis Obispo from R 1 051 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 16 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
08:10	Old Town San Diego	8h 10m	16:20	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
08:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 19m	16:20	AMTRAK Station	No tags
08:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 19m	16:20	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 17 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 18 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 19 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 20 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 21 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Next departures from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on 22 December
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	Cheapest
06:10	Old Town San Diego	8h	14:10	AMTRAK Station	Fastest
04:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 38m	12:39	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags
13:01	Santa Fe Depot	8h 56m	21:57	AMTRAK Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Thursday at 1:18 AM PST.

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

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach San Luis Obispo. The journey takes about 8 hours 47 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 108, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5train per day

8h 47mAverage duration

425 kmDistance

39kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 743 - R 2 069	Average duration12h 40m	CO₂ emissions 11kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 1 108 - R 2 177	Average duration8h 47m	CO₂ emissions 39kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 650 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5650 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at R 1 108

US train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

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

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.

How much is the train ticket from San Diego to San Luis Obispo?
The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to San Luis Obispo start from R 1 108. The average price for this train route is around R 1 108. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from San Diego to San Luis Obispo?
The average train journey time from San Diego to San Luis Obispo is 8h 47m, covering a distance of 425 km. The quickest train can get you there in 8h and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the San Diego to San Luis Obispo route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 5 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Diego to San Luis Obispo?
The earliest train from San Diego to San Luis Obispo departs at 04:01. And the latest train departs at 13:10.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

13/12

R 1 051

14/12

R 1 051

Today

R 1 051

16/12

R 1 051

17/12

R 1 051

18/12

R 1 051

19/12

R 1 051

20/12

R 1 051

The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to San Luis Obispo was searched and found on 13 Dec 2025 with a price of R 1 051

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

You can expect to pay from R 1 051 to R 6 473 for a train ticket from San Diego, CA, US to San Luis Obispo based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 1 051, which is on 2025-12-16.

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

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle type	Travel time	Avg price	Daily departures
Vehicle typeBus	Travel time12h 40m	Avg priceR 1 518	Daily departures2
Vehicle typeTrain	Travel time8h 47m	Avg priceR 1 108	Daily departures5

The best way to travel between San Diego, CA, US and San Luis Obispo is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost R 1 108 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from R 1 108. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to San Luis Obispo, choose the train, as it will take you from San Diego, CA, US to San Luis Obispo in about 8h 47m – that's the fastest way to get there!