San Diego, CA, USA to Irvine, CA, USA from $15: 4 ways by bus, train, flight or car
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How to Get from San Diego to Irvine: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way
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$15 by carBest price
135 kmDistance
1h 25m Fastest
Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options
Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from San Diego to Irvine with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.
San Diego - Irvine operators
Explore transport companies operating between San Diego and Irvine, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.
Contact phone
+1 800-872-7245Website
https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from San Diego to Irvine Station
Average Duration
1h 47mEstimated price
$3-75Contact phone
+1 800-872-7245Website
https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Santa Fe Depot, CA to Irvine Amtrak Station
Average Duration
1h 45mEstimated price
0-0Website
https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
all-pages.transport_night bus from San Diego to Irvine
Average Duration
1h 45mEstimated price
0-0San Diego to Irvine: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips
Traveling between San Diego and Irvine offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.
🚗 Embark on a scenic journey from sunny San Diego to vibrant Irvine, spanning a moderate distance of 84 miles and just a 1 hour and 25-minute drive along the California coastline.
💵 Budget-friendly travelers will appreciate the cost efficiency of driving from San Diego to Irvine, with prices for the trip typically ranging between $15 to $22, offering flexibility for varying travel budgets.
Average price
$15 - $22
🚆 Traveling by train from San Diego to Irvine may require a transfer at Irvine station, as there is no direct route available. The journey with transfers typically takes around 2 hours and 44 minutes to complete.
🚆 The train services for this route are operated by Amtrak, with departures from San Diego station and arrivals at Irvine station. The ticket prices can vary between $7 and $78 for the trip between these two Southern California cities.
🚆 Routes for the San Diego to Irvine train journey include options with a travel time of about 1 hour and 47 minutes, covering a distance of 82.4 miles. Passengers can choose between trains heading towards Los Angeles or San Luis Obispo, both offered by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner service.
Departure Point
San Diego station
Arrival Point
Irvine station
Useful tips for train travellers
• Onboard services for your train trip from San Diego to Irvine are provided by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner. The train offers a café car featuring a selection of snacks, beverages, and light meals, including coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and prepared sandwiches. Remember to check the hours of operation for the café car, as they may vary throughout the day.
• The Pacific Surfliner offers different seating options including Business Class and Standard Economy. Business Class features spacious seating with additional legroom, complimentary beverage service, and priority boarding. Economy Class is comfortable for standard travel, but lacks some of the amenities of Business Class. Be sure to select your seating based on your preferences for comfort and service.
• For your route, you can travel with Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (amtrak.com) and Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com), which also provides commute options in Southern California. For local transport schedules in Irvine, you may visit the Orange County Transportation Authority’s website (octa.net). Additionally, check out the station map for Irvine to familiarize yourself with its layout upon arrival.
🚌 Although there is no direct bus from San Diego to Irvine, travelers can take a bus service operated by Amtrak with a journey time of approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes, including transfers.
🛣️ Route 1 involves a 3-hour 24-minute trip covering a distance of 107 miles. The journey requires a transfer with the first step being a Greyhound bus from San Diego to Santa Ana & Santiago and the second step with Orange County Transportation Authority from Costa Mesa to Irvine Station-Dock 5.
🚆 Route 2 offers a quicker 1-hour 47-minute option over 82.4 miles, with a single step involving an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train journey from San Diego to Irvine.
Departure Point
Santa Fe Depot, CA station
Arrival Point
Irvine Amtrak Station
Useful tips for bus travellers
• Consider taking the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train from San Diego to Irvine for a more direct and scenic route, which takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes; check the schedule and book your tickets at amtrak.com
• If you opt for the bus route with a transfer, ensure you transfer at the Santa Ana & Santiago stop for the quickest connection to the Costa Mesa - Mission Viejo bus; details can be found at greyhound.com and octa.net
• Upon arriving at the Irvine Amtrak Station, head towards the main exit and check for the transit maps available at the station; various Orange County Transit Authority buses operate from there, which you can view at octa.net to assist you in navigating your onward journey.
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the route from San Diego to Irvine.
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The distance between San Diego and Irvine is approximately 124 km by road. It takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes to drive from San Diego to Irvine by car. Alternatively, taking a train will take approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes while a bus journey will take around 3 hours and 6 minutes.
The most cost-effective and time-efficient transportation option for traveling from San Diego to Irvine is to drive. It takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes by car, making it the quickest way to reach Irvine. The cost of driving is typically between $15 and $22, which is relatively affordable compared to other modes of transportation such as train or bus.
The prices for a train journey between San Diego and Irvine can range from $7 to $78, depending on various factors such as the class of service, time of travel, and availability.
To get from San Diego to Irvine without using public transportation, the most convenient option is to drive. The distance between the two cities is approximately 135 km, and it takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to drive. The prices for this journey typically range from $15 to $22, depending on factors such as fuel prices and tolls.
If you don't have a car, the best way to travel from San Diego to Irvine is by train. The train journey takes approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Ticket prices can range from $7 to $80 depending on the train type and class.
Yes, there is a direct link between San Diego and Irvine. Although there is no direct train from San Diego to Irvine, there are services available with a transfer at Irvine station. This journey takes approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Similarly, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Irvine, but there are options with a transfer at Irvine Station. The bus journey takes around 3 hours and 6 minutes.
There are plenty of accommodation options near Irvine with over 742 hotels available. Prices for hotels in the area start at $69 per night.