There are 5 ways to get from Carmel to San Diego by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak), car, or bus (Amtrak, Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MRY - SAN
1h 40m$166–350Drive 442.2 mi
cheapest- Drive from Carmel to San Diegocar 442.2 mi
7h 42m$81–117Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Salinas to Los Angelestrain Coast Starlight
- Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
13h 28m$330–503Bus
- Take the bus from Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop to Salinasbus
- Take the bus from Salinas Intermodal Transit Center to Monterey / Gilroy Train Stationbus 59
- Take the bus from Gilroy to San Ysidrobus
14h 49mBus via San Jose
- Take the bus from Salinas to San Josebus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stopbus Greyhound US0831
16h 44m
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Carmel to San Diego is to drive which costs $80 - $120 and takes 7h 42m.
The fastest way to get from Carmel to San Diego is to fly which takes 1h 40m and costs $160 - $350.
No, there is no direct bus from Carmel to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop and arriving at San Ysidro via Salinas Intermodal Transit Center and Gilroy. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 49m.
No, there is no direct train from Carmel to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Salinas and arriving at San Diego via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 13h 28m.
The distance between Carmel and San Diego is 385 miles. The road distance is 444.8 miles.
The best way to get from Carmel to San Diego without a car is to train which takes 13h 28m and costs $330 - $550.
It takes approximately 1h 40m to get from Carmel to San Diego, including transfers.
Carmel to San Diego bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop station.
Carmel to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
The best way to get from Carmel to San Diego is to fly which takes 1h 40m and costs $160 - $350. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $330 - $550 and takes 13h 28m, you could also bus, which costs and takes 14h 49m.
What companies run services between Carmel, CA, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and United Airlines fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Carmel to San Diego via Salinas and Los Angeles in around 13h 28m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to San Diego International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 33m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $40–270
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to San Diego International Airport via San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–300
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–320
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Salinas to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $190–310
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 57m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop to Salinas
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Salinas to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- 1-888-678-2871
- customerservice@mst.org
- Website
- Monterey-Salinas Transit
Bus from Salinas Intermodal Transit Center to Monterey / Gilroy Train Station
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Website
- Monterey-Salinas Transit
- Phone
- +1 833 766 3553
- Website
- Tufesa
Bus from Gilroy to San Ysidro
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $85–120
- Schedules at
- Tufesa
- Adult One way
- $85–120
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from San Jose Diridon Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–120
- Website
- Greyhound
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Carmel to San Diego bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Salinas station.
Carmel to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between Carmel to San Diego is 445 miles. It takes approximately 7h 42m to drive from Carmel to San Diego.
There are 2375+ hotels available in San Diego.