There are 5 ways to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica by train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, tram, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain Pacific Surfliner
4h 23m$43–86Bus, line 33 bus
cheapest- Take the bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus Greyhound US0831
- Take the bus from Patsaouras Transit Plaza to 5th / Santa Monicabus 33
6h$19–36Bus, line 3 bus
- Take the bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 7 Shared Rides Stopbus reLAXsan
- Take the bus from LAX/Metro Transit Center to 4Th Nb & Santa Monica Nsbus 3
5h 12m$60–107Drive 132 mi
- Drive from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monicacar 132 mi
2h 22m$25–35Fly, tram
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane SAN - LAX
- Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram
- Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram
3h 57m$166–561
Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica by foot, tram, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica is to bus and line 33 bus which costs $19 - $40 and takes 6h.
The fastest way to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica is to drive which takes 2h 22m and costs $24 - $35.
No, there is no direct bus from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at 4Th Nb & Santa Monica Ns via LAX Terminal 6 Lower Level and LAX/Metro Transit Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 12m.
No, there is no direct train from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica station. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Downtown Santa Monica Station via Union Station - Metro B & D Lines and 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 23m.
The distance between Downtown San Diego and Santa Monica is 146 miles. The road distance is 132.7 miles.
The best way to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica without a car is to train which takes 4h 23m and costs $40 - $90.
It takes approximately 4h 23m to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica, including transfers.
Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica bus services, operated by reLAXsan, depart from San Diego station.
Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica is to train which takes 4h 23m and costs $40 - $90. Alternatively, you can bus and line 3 bus, which costs $60 - $110 and takes 5h 12m.
What companies run services between Downtown San Diego, CA, USA and Santa Monica, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from San Diego to Los Angeles hourly. Tickets cost $35–85 and the journey takes 2h 56m. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Downtown San Diego to 4Th Nb & Santa Monica Ns via Santa Fe Depot, Old Town Station, San Diego, LAX Terminal 7 Shared Rides Stop, LAX Terminal 6 Lower Level, Metro Transit Center Bay 2, and LAX/Metro Transit Center in around 5h 12m.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $22–180
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $22–180
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 56m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $35–85
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station
- Ave. Duration
- 21 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Station
- Ave. Duration
- 26 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
- Phone
- (858) 430-8440
- [email protected]
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 7 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
- Phone
- (323)-776-5467
- [email protected]
- Website
- LAX LINQ
Bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 7 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–110
- Website
- LAX LINQ
- Phone
- +1 310-451-5444
- Website
- bigbluebus.com
Bus from LAX/Metro Transit Center to 4Th Nb & Santa Monica Ns
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- http://www.bigbluebus.com
- Schedules at
- http://www.bigbluebus.com/Routes-And-Schedules/
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–35
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Bus from Patsaouras Transit Plaza to 5th / Santa Monica
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 51m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica bus services, operated by reLAXsan, arrive at LAX Terminal 7 Shared Rides Stop station.
Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica is 133 miles. It takes approximately 2h 22m to drive from Downtown San Diego to Santa Monica.
There are 2493+ hotels available in Santa Monica.













