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How to get fromSan Diego to Santa Catalina Islandby bus, ferry, train, tram, or plane

Find Transport to Santa Catalina Island

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There are 5 ways to get from San Diego to Santa Catalina Island by bus, ferry, train, tram, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus, ferry

    best
    1. Take the bus from San Diego to Long Beach Downtown Transit Gallerybus bus FlixBus 2017
    2. Take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalonferry ferry Long Beach
    4h 41m
    $47–74

  2. Train, tram, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the tram from Union Station - Metro A-Line to Downtown Long Beach Stationtram tram
    3. Take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalonferry ferry
    6h 22m
    $70–130

  3. Train, line 90 bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Irvinetrain train
    2. Take the bus from Tustin Metrolink Station-Dock 8 to Golden Lantern-Dana Point Harborbus bus 90
    3. Take the ferry from Dana Point to Avalonferry ferry
    7h 8m
    $64–110

  4. Fly, ferry

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane SAN - LAX
    2. Take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalonferry ferry
    4h 39m
    $196–578

  5. Bus, ferry via Long Beach

    1. Take the bus from San Diego to Long Beach Bus Stationbus bus Tijuana
    2. Take the ferry from Long Beach to Avalonferry ferry Long Beach
    5h 33m
    $52–82

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) flights

Calendar49Weekly Planes
Duration1h 9mAverage Duration
Ticket$22Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Diego to Santa Catalina Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 140.3 mi
  • Duration: 4h 41m

What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Santa Catalina Island, CA, USA?

There is no direct connection from San Diego to Santa Catalina Island. However, you can take the bus to Long Beach Downtown Transit Gallery, walk to 1st & Shelter B N, take the line 121 bus to Catalina Landing N, walk to Long Beach, then take the ferry to Avalon. Alternatively, you can take a train from San Diego to Avalon via Los Angeles, Union Station - Metro A-Line, Downtown Long Beach Station, and Long Beach in around 6h 22m.

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