San Diego has two Amtrak stations: Santa Fe Depot and the Old Town Transportation Center. Pacific Surfliner trains stop at both stations multiple times per day and you’ll have stunning views of the Pacific Ocean whether you’re arriving or departing by train.
In this guide, learn about the differences between the two stations and when to use each.
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Station Comparison
| Details | Santa Fe Depot | Old Town |
|---|---|---|
| Routes | Pacific Surfliner, COASTER, Blue & Green light rail | Pacific Surfliner, COASTER |
| Amtrak Staff | Yes | No |
| Parking | No | No |
| Accessible | Yes | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes | No |
| Walk Score | 94/100 | 75/100 |
| Nearby Hotels | Yes (many) | Yes (limited) |
| Nearby Attractions | Broadway Pier, USS Midway Museum | Old Town San Diego, Presido Park |
Santa Fe Depot
Address: 1050 Kettner Blvd
Good For: Downtown San Diego attractions and accommodations
Open since 1915, the Santa Fe Depot is in downtown San Diego and is a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. You can easily walk to piers, the cruise port, many hotels, the USS Midway Museum, Gaslamp Quarter, and Little Italy from the station.
Things to Know
- There are connections to the Coaster commuter trains and local trolleys.
- The green line trolley next to the station provides service to destinations including Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Convention Center, Petco Park, Little Italy, Mission Valley and the SDCCU Stadium.
Nearby Hotels
There are many hotels in walking distance of Santa Fe Depot, including:
- Intercontinental San Diego (5-minute walk)
- The Guild Hotel (5-minute walk)
- Residence Inn San Diego Bayfront (5-minute walk)
- SpringHill Suites San Diego Bayfront (5-minute walk)
- Hotel Republic (6-minute walk)
- The Westin San Diego Downtown (6-minute walk)
- Wyndham San Diego Bayside (6-minute walk)
- Best Western Plus Bayside Inn (8-minute walk)
- Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown (8-minute walk)
- Kasa Little Italy (8-minute walk)
- Embassy Suites San Diego Bay (9-minute walk)
- The Sofia (10-minute walk)
Nearby Things to Do
- Museum of Contemporary Art (1-minute walk)
- Music Box (5-minute walk)
- Broadway Pier (7-minute walk)
- Waterfront Park (7-minute walk)
- Embarcadero (8-minute walk)
- Coronado Ferry (8-minute walk)
- Little Italy (8-minute walk)
- USS Midway Museum (9-minute walk)
- Horton Plaza Mall (12-minute walk)
- Seaport Village (12-minute walk)
- Star of India (13-minute walk)
- San Diego Civic Theatre (11-minute walk)
- USS San Diego Memorial (11-minute walk)
- Bay Overlook Museum (13-minute walk)
- The New Children’s Museum (13-minute walk)
- Maritime Museum of San Diego (14-minute walk)
- Balboa Theatre (14-minute walk)
- San Diego Historical Chinese Museum (16-minute walk)
- San Diego Convention Center (18-minute walk)
Old Town Transportation Center
Address: 4005 Taylor Street
Good For: Easy access to Mission Bay, SeaWorld, Airport
Old Town Transportation Center is a platform-only station near the San Diego Airport, Ocean Beach, SeaWorld, Mission Bay, and Mission Valley. You can walk to historic attractions and a few hotels near the station, but a Lyft, Uber, or taxi is needed to reach other destinations.
Nearby Hotels
- Cosmopolitan Hotel (5-minute walk)
- Hilton Garden Inn Old Town (6-minute walk)
- E-Z 8 Motel (7-minute walk)
- Old Town Inn (8-minute walk)
- Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town (9-minute walk)
Nearby Things to Do
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (1-minute walk)
- Presido Park (7-minute walk)
- Whaley House Museum (8-minute walk)
US Train Travel Guide 