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Transit & transport
Every way to move around San Diego County — light rail, commuter trains, Amtrak to LA, buses, fares and when you actually need a car.
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San Diego transit runs on one fare system, PRONTO: $2.50 per Trolley or bus ride with a $6 daily cap. Four Trolley lines cover downtown, Old Town, Mission Valley, UTC and the border; the COASTER runs up the coast to Oceanside; the SPRINTER crosses North County; and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner reaches Los Angeles in about 2 hours 45 minutes.
MTS light rail
$2.50 a ride, $6 day cap, four lines running 5am–midnight every 15 minutes. Fares, hours, line map, airport connection, and the stops actually worth using.
NCTD commuter rail
Ride the COASTER commuter train from downtown San Diego to Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside — fares, schedule, beach stops and weekend service.
Amtrak
San Diego to LA in 2h45m for about $40–$50 coach. Surfliner stops, ticket prices, business class, which side has the ocean views, bikes, and booking tips.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Taking the train from Los Angeles to San Diego: 2h45m on the Pacific Surfliner, $40–$50 fares, schedules, station tips and how it compares to driving or flying.
NCTD light rail
The SPRINTER runs 22 miles across North County from Oceanside to Escondido — fares, schedule, stations, CSUSM and Palomar College stops and COASTER transfers.
Fares & payment
How PRONTO works for San Diego transit: $2.50 fares, $6 daily and $72 monthly caps, the app vs plastic card, contactless tap, discounts and visitor tips.
Car-free travel
Can you visit San Diego without a car? Yes, with planning — the best car-free neighborhoods, transit routes to the zoo and beaches, rideshare costs and a 3-day plan.
MTS bus network
How to ride MTS buses in San Diego: $2.50 fares, the Rapid lines, the free 992 airport bus and the specific routes that reach the Zoo, beaches and Balboa Park.
| Option | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Trolley / MTS bus | $2.50 ride, $6 daily cap | Downtown, Old Town, Mission Valley, UTC, border |
| COASTER | $5.50–$6.50, $13 day cap | North County beach days to Encinitas and Carlsbad |
| SPRINTER | $2.50 ride | Oceanside to Vista, San Marcos and Escondido |
| Pacific Surfliner | $40–$50 to LA | Los Angeles, Anaheim, Santa Barbara |
| Rideshare | $18–$35 across the city | Beaches, La Jolla, late nights |
| Rental car | $60–$90/day + $30–$55 parking | Julian, the desert, Safari Park, backcountry |
| Coronado Ferry | $8 each way | Downtown to Coronado in 15 minutes |
A car is easiest for the whole county, but downtown, Old Town, Mission Valley, UTC and the border are well covered by the Trolley, and MTS buses reach Balboa Park, the Zoo and the beaches. Fares are $2.50 a ride with a $6 daily cap through PRONTO.
It's solid along the Trolley corridors and the coastal rail line, and weak in the suburbs. Visitors staying downtown, in Little Italy, Old Town or Coronado can get by without a car; day trips inland or to North County are much easier with one.
$2.50 per Trolley or bus ride with two-hour transfers, capped at $6 per day and $72 per month. COASTER fares are $5.50–$6.50 with a $13 regional day cap.
Yes — Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner runs about a dozen round trips a day between Santa Fe Depot and LA Union Station in roughly 2 hours 45 minutes for $40–$50 in coach.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .