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How to get fromSan Rafael to San Diegoby bus, plane, subway, train, train (Amtrak), car, bus (Flixbus), or bus (Greyhound)

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There are 9 ways to get from San Rafael to San Diego by bus, plane, subway, train, train (Amtrak), car, bus (Flixbus), 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.

  1. Bus to Oakland International Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the bus from San Rafael to Oakland International Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane OAK - SAN
    3h 30m
    $80–355

  2. BART, bus, train

    1. Take the subway from El Cerrito Del Norte to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    2. Take the bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Stationbus bus
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diegotrain train
    13h 16m
    $132–197

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Oakland to Los Angelestrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diegotrain train Pacific Surfliner
    18h 16m
    $328–523

  4. Drive  511.5 mi

    1. Drive from San Rafael to San Diegocar car 511.5 mi
    8h 34m
    $94–135

  5. Bus to San Francisco International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Larkspur - pickup to San Francisco Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SFO - SAN
    3h 38m
    $87–232

  6. Bus to Sonoma County Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from San Rafael to Sonoma Co Airport Terminalbus bus
    2. Fly from Sonoma County Airport (STS) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane STS - SAN
    4h 9m
    $135–275

  7. BART to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly

    1. Take the subway from El Cerrito Del Norte to Milpitassubway subway
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SJC - SAN
    4h 57m
    $87–523

  8. Bus via Market St & 8th St (Flixbus)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco to San Diegobus bus FlixBus N2003
    13h 39m
    $88–130

  9. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stopbus bus Greyhound US0831
    15h 29m
    $96–149

San Rafael to San Diego by bus, subway, and train

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration13h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$132Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from San Rafael to San Diego.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 475.3 mi
  • Duration: 3h 30m

What companies run services between San Rafael, CA, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to San Diego via Mission St & 2nd St, Montgomery Street, Lake Merritt, Oakland, and Los Angeles in around 18h 16m. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from San Francisco to San Diego once daily. Tickets cost $80–120 and the journey takes 10h 45m.

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