Amtrak to/from Tucson to San Diego

[jlawrence01]

^^^

Eight hours is reasonable with stops for gas, restrooms, and a meal. We generally taje 12 hours as we usually have to stop for business in Yuma or El Centro.

Personally, I would NOT take the train. Amtrak has such a reputation for being late.

[tijlover]

Now, if you really, really want an adventuresome route to San Diego, go on south to Nogales and take a luxury bus from Nogales to Mexicali to Tijuana & San Diego. I've ridden some of their luxury buses in Mexico, complete with a wet bar at the back of the bus. Pure luxury!

[WilmaWildcat]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Now, if you really, really want an adventuresome route to San Diego, go on south to Nogales and take a luxury bus from Nogales to Mexicali to Tijuana & San Diego. I've ridden some of their luxury buses in Mexico, complete with a wet bar at the back of the bus. Pure luxury!

Sounds interesting! Have heard that Mexico's motor coach system is excellent...

[lizziegee]

We've looked into Amtrak to SD numerous times and keep deciding going by car is best way. We're on that eight hour drive too maybe staying a little over the speed limit, bathroom stops and throw stopping for food. The best bathrooms along the way are at Dateland Travel Center and they've got lots of souveniers and eats available too there. They're also pet friendly there! Yuma you can gas up cheap using your Fry's points or Sam's Club or variety of places as once you hit Cali, gas prices go up, up, up. We're currently in the habit of stopping at Quechan Casino outside Yuma for a lunch meal on the way. We've given up any gambling there as their machines just seem to suck $20 out of us faster than Dyson vacuum but the food is good and inexpensive and we stretch our legs a bit. I really like trains and we went to New Orleans round-trip from Tucson last year. Great fun but it has its drawbacks as we did not do a sleeper car. If you like trains, learn to take the MTS and ride it round SD and maybe try the Coaster too which will take you up to Oceanside. They're fun and relieves some driving!

[steiconi]

I'd like to take the train, but not if time was an issue.

Mom took Amtrak from Sacramento to Richmond, California. Usually a 90 minute drive by car, it was supposed to take two hours. I went to pick her up in Richmond, was told the train had come and gone.
Three hours later, I got a call; she'd just arrived at the station.

So not only did the train take FIVE hours, the station personnel didn't realize it hadn't come in.