Travel guide
LAX to San Diego: train, plane or one comfortable car
Plenty of international itineraries land at LAX with a final destination 120 miles south. San Diego has its own airport, but when the long-haul fare into LAX wins, you still have to solve the last 120 miles.
The honest comparison
- Amtrak Surfliner: scenic and civilized, but LAX isn't on the line — you need a 45–75 minute hop to Union Station first, then 2h45 on the train, then a taxi in San Diego. Total: 4–5 hours and three luggage handlings.
- Connecting flight: often adds a 2–3 hour layover for a 40-minute flight, plus bag recheck on separate tickets.
- Rideshare: long-distance requests from LAX frequently surge past $250 and get cancelled.
- Private fixed transfer: $425 sedan / $600 large van per vehicle, door to door in 2–2.5 hours, rest stops on request.
Who this is for
Solo on a budget? Take the train and enjoy the coast. Family of four with cruise luggage landing at 9 PM? The fixed car wins on every axis: total cost against four train tickets plus both end taxis, two hours saved, zero platform sprints, and installed child seats. Staying in Carlsbad, Encinitas or Del Mar? You're on the route — the driver drops you on the way.