Can You Take a Train From San Diego to Disneyland?

If you’re wondering whether you can take a train from San Diego to Disneyland, the answer is yes — and I highly recommend it. I’ve taken Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner to Anaheim multiple times, and it’s so much easier than fighting I-5 traffic. No driving stress, no parking fees, and some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in California right outside your window.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan the trip, based on personal experience.

How the Train From San Diego to Disneyland Works

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner runs multiple times daily between San Diego and Anaheim. The ride takes about two hours, depending on which station you board and how many stops your particular train makes. Not all trains stop at every station, so check the schedule on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app when booking.

Coach fares typically start around $30–40 one way, and business class runs $50–70 depending on the date. Amtrak uses dynamic pricing, so booking earlier usually means lower fares.

Where to Catch the Train in San Diego

You have four station options in San Diego County:

• Santa Fe Depot (downtown San Diego) — This is where the train originates, so you’ll have the best shot at getting good seats by boarding here.
• Old Town — Very close to Santa Fe Depot, just one stop north. Note that Old Town has an underground walkway to reach the opposite platform, which can be confusing your first time.
• Solana Beach — Requires taking an elevator to the tracks. Give yourself extra time here.
• Oceanside — The last San Diego County stop before heading into Orange County. Also a Metrolink connection point.

You don’t need to arrive early, just be at the platform when the train pulls in. That said, I always try to get there a few minutes ahead, so I have time to figure out which platform I need. You can’t just walk across the tracks, since bridges, tunnels, and elevators take you from one side to the other, and it takes a minute to get oriented.

What the San Diego to Disneyland Train Is Like

Once you’re on board, it’s an easy ride. The Pacific Surfliner offers free WiFi (it’s not the fastest, but fine for email and browsing), luggage racks, electrical outlets at every window seat, and a cafe car where you can buy sandwiches, snacks, wine, and beer.

Seat tip: Sit on the west (ocean) side of the train. The coastal views as you ride through North County and into Orange County are stunning. It’s one of the best parts of the trip.

If you’re carrying luggage, a standard carry-on fits on the overhead racks above your seat. Larger bags go on the luggage racks at the end of each car. They’ll be out of your sightline, so make sure they’re locked and labeled. I travel with a 21.5 x 15.8 x 9.1″ carry-on, and it fits fine overhead. The depth is the dimension that causes trouble for bigger bags.

A conductor will scan your ticket shortly after you sit down, so have it ready. Pay attention to your stop because there’s no illuminated signage, and the conductor announcements can be hard to hear. I recommend using the Amtrak app to track your progress so you don’t miss your stop. Collect your things a few minutes before arrival and head to the exit before the train fully stops, because the doors are only open for a minute or two.

Is Amtrak Business Class to Disneyland Worth It?

I prefer Amtrak business class because the seats are wider, the car is quieter, and you get a complimentary beverage and snack box. The business class cars are also less crowded, which makes it a more relaxed ride, especially with kids.

That said, coach is perfectly fine for the two-hour ride. If you’re trying to keep costs down, save the upgrade money for discount Disneyland tickets instead.

Getting From Anaheim Station to Disneyland

Your train arrives at ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center), which is about 3 miles from the Disneyland Resort or roughly a 10-minute drive.

Important update (April 2026): The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttle that used to run directly from the train station to Disneyland permanently shut down on March 31, 2026. If you see other guides still recommending ART Routes 14 or 15, that information is outdated, and even Disneyland’s own website still references ART as of this writing.

Here are your current options for getting from the train station to Disneyland:

• Uber or Lyft — The quickest option. The ride is about 10 minutes and typically costs $8–15. This is what I’d recommend for families with luggage or strollers.
• OCTA Bus Route 50 — The budget option at $2 per ride. This bus runs along Katella Avenue and operates 7 days a week with 24-hour service. Get off at the Katella and Harbor Blvd stop and walk a few blocks north to the Disneyland Resort entrance. The trip takes about 30 minutes. If you’re a Metrolink passenger, the bus is free with a valid ticket.
• Hotel shuttle (to Disneyland only) — After ART shut down, several Anaheim hotels launched their own shuttle services to Disneyland. The Anaheim Resort Campus Shuttle ($6/day) serves the Hilton Anaheim, the Anaheim Marriott, the Clarion, and the Sheraton Park Hotel. The Hyatt Regency, Candy Cane Inn, and Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel run their own shuttles. These go from the hotels to the parks and don’t pick up at the train station. They’re worth knowing about once you’re checked in so you don’t have to pay for rideshares all weekend.

Can You Take Metrolink to Disneyland?

Yes. The Metrolink Orange County Line starts in Oceanside and stops at ARTIC in Anaheim. If you already have a Metrolink monthly pass, the Rail 2 Rail program lets you ride most Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains at no additional charge (subject to your pass limits). Metrolink is a good option if you’re coming from North County and want a lower fare than Amtrak.

Train vs. Driving: How Do They Compare?

Without traffic, the drive from San Diego to Disneyland takes about 90 minutes (75 minutes from Carlsbad). But “without traffic” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. North County and south Orange County are notorious bottlenecks, and a single accident can add an hour or more to the drive.

The train takes about two hours regardless of traffic, and you can relax, use WiFi, or have a glass of wine instead of white-knuckling the 5 freeway. You also save on gas and parking. Disneyland parking starts at $35 per day (more for preferred), which adds up fast on a multi-day trip.

The trade-off is that you’ll need to arrange a ride from ARTIC to Disneyland (see above), and you won’t have a car in Anaheim. For most Disneyland trips where you’re spending the whole time at the parks and staying at a hotel near Disneyland, that’s not a problem.

Does the Train Ever Get Delayed?

Rarely. The Pacific Surfliner is very reliable, and I’ve almost never been delayed by more than a few minutes. I will say that I was once delayed by a few hours on a trip to Santa Barbara due to a car on the tracks, so it’s not a 100% guarantee, but it’s far more predictable than driving, which is why many San Diegans prefer it for getting to Orange County and L.A.

Tips for Taking the Train to Disneyland

• Download the Amtrak app before your trip. You can check your train’s arrival time to the minute, track your location along the route, and show your mobile ticket to the conductor.
• Board at Santa Fe Depot for the best seat selection, since it’s the first stop.
• Sit on the west side for ocean views.
• Book Disneyland tickets separately at a discount. The money you save on discount Disneyland tickets can more than offset the cost of train tickets.
• Remember, you’re saving on parking and gas, which easily adds $50+ per day to a driving trip.
• Use Disneyland’s lockers for luggage. One reason people hesitate to take the train is that they have bags. Disneyland has lockers on the Esplanade (the plaza outside the park gates, before you scan your ticket) in sizes up to jumbo, which can fit a carry-on suitcase. Prices range from $7 to $ 15/day, with unlimited in-and-out access. Drop your bags when you arrive, enjoy the parks, then grab them on your way back to the train station.

San Diego to Disneyland Train FAQs