There are 4 ways to get from San Marcos to Palm Desert by train, bus, car, 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.
Train, bus
best- Take the train from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Pacific Surfliner
- Take the bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stopbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
6h 29m$48–70Drive 89.4 mi
cheapest- Drive from San Marcos to Palm Desertcar 89.4 mi
1h 52m$17–24Train, bus via San Bernardino
- Take the train from Oceanside to San Bernardino - Downtowntrain IE-OC Line
- Take the bus from San Bernardino Transit Center to Varner at Harry Oliverbus 10
8h 12m$18–26Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Stationbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stopbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
8h 3m$58–85
San Marcos to Palm Desert by tram, train, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Marcos to Palm Desert is to drive which costs $16 - $24 and takes 1h 52m.
The fastest way to get from San Marcos to Palm Desert is to drive which takes 1h 52m and costs $16 - $24.
No, there is no direct bus from San Marcos to Palm Desert. However, there are services departing from Mission Rd & Pico Av and arriving at Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop via Vista Transit Center Stall 5, Oceanside and Fullerton Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 3m.
The distance between San Marcos and Palm Desert is 184 miles. The road distance is 89.9 miles.
The best way to get from San Marcos to Palm Desert without a car is to train and bus which takes 6h 29m and costs $45 - $75.
It takes approximately 6h 29m to get from San Marcos to Palm Desert, including transfers.
San Marcos to Palm Desert bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Oceanside station.
San Marcos to Palm Desert bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Marcos to Palm Desert is 90 miles. It takes approximately 1h 52m to drive from San Marcos to Palm Desert.
There are 1691+ hotels available in Palm Desert.
What companies run services between San Marcos, CA, USA and Palm Desert, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Mission Rd & Pico Av to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop via Vista Transit Center Stall 5, Oceanside Transit Center Stall 10, Oceanside, and Fullerton Amtrak Station in around 8h 3m.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $18–40
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- (800) 371-LINK (5465)
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
Train from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $10–14
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
Train from Oceanside to San Bernardino - Downtown
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $13–18
- Website
- Metrolink Trains
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $21–30
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 760-343-3451
- Website
- Sunline Transit
Bus from San Bernardino Transit Center to Varner at Harry Oliver
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $1
- Schedules at
- Sunline Transit
- Seniors 60+, Disabled, Medicare
- $1
- Youth 5-17
- $1
- Adults 18-59
- $1
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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