There are 5 ways to get from Santa Monica to San Diego by tram, train, bus (Flixbus), car, bus, plane, or bus (Amtrak)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Tram, train
best- Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E LinesMetro E Line
- Take the train from Los Angeles to San DiegoPacific Surfliner
4h 52m$37–43Drive 131.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Monica to San Diego131.8 mi
2h 23m$24–35Bus (Flixbus)
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San DiegoFlixBus 2017
5h 16m$26–71Line 3 bus, fly
- Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Center
- Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)LAX - SAN
3h 20m$68–298Line 33 bus, bus
- Take the bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Cesar E Chavez / Alameda33
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San DiegoAmtrak Thruway Connecting Service
5h 35m
Santa Monica to San Diego by tram, subway, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Monica to San Diego is to drive which costs $24 - $35 and takes 2h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica to San Diego is to drive which takes 2h 23m and costs $24 - $35.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Lincoln Nb & Santa Monica Fs and arriving at San Diego via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 16m.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Monica station to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Downtown Santa Monica Station and arriving at San Diego via 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines and Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 52m.
The distance between Santa Monica and San Diego is 145 miles. The road distance is 132.5 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to San Diego without a car is to tram and train which takes 4h 52m and costs $35 - $45.
It takes approximately 4h 52m to get from Santa Monica to San Diego, including transfers.
Santa Monica to San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Los Angeles station.
Santa Monica to San Diego train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, depart from Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Santa Monica to San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at San Diego station.
What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
Flixbus USA operates a bus from Los Angeles to San Diego 4 times a week. Tickets cost $25–70 and the journey takes 3h 45m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–230
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–230
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- CustomerRelations@metro.net
- Website
- metro.net
Tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $33–39
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $25–70
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 310-451-5444
- Website
- bigbluebus.com
Bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Schedules at
- bigbluebus.com
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- CustomerRelations@metro.net
- Website
- metro.net
Bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Cesar E Chavez / Alameda
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Monica to San Diego train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, arrive at 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica to San Diego is 133 miles. It takes approximately 2h 23m to drive from Santa Monica to San Diego.
There are 2136+ hotels available in San Diego.











