Disneyland Resort is a popular destination for families worldwide and is affectionately known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” If you are planning a visit to the Walt Disney theme park, you need to consider how you will get there.

Whether it is a day visit or stay in one of the many hotels, the logistics of getting there is an important part of your planning. Travelling by car, bus, or train, you need to bear in mind cost, distance, and ease of travel.

So, what is the easiest way to get to Disneyland park from San Diego?

We have put together some useful information regarding your potential travel options. We are going to look at each option in detail, including how much it costs, how long it takes, and which is the easiest way to get you and your family to the Disneyland theme parks.

For more information on family fun activities to do while visiting California with the family, check out the Family Vacation Guide to help you plan the perfect vacation for the whole family.

Table of Contents

How To Travel From San Diego To Disneyland

You have several options for travelling from San Diego to the Disneyland Resort. These include taking your car, catching a bus, or taking a train.

We are going to look into each option in more detail, including total distance, price, where to park, and if there are any shuttle services. This will hopefully make the planning of your day much easier.

San Diego is just under 100 miles south of Disneyland resort, located in Anaheim, Southern California. So, let’s take a look at the options you have to get from San Diego to Disneyland.

By car

If you want to drive to the Disneyland Park from San Diego, CA, you can expect it to take around an hour and forty-five minutes. This obviously depends on the time of day you are travelling, the traffic, and whether it is the peak season for the theme park.

The driving distance is around 100 miles, and it is perhaps the easiest and certainly the most popular way to get from San Diego to Disneyland. You could even take a rental car. The route will take you on the I-5, and if you get off at exit 110, you will arrive at the park entrance.

There are plenty of parking options once you get to the park so simply follow the signs for the three main parking areas. These are the Toy Story, Pixar Pals, or Mikey and Friends parking zones. There are disabled parking spaces available, and staff is always on hand to offer support.

There are designated parking spaces if you want to be closer to elevators and escalators for ease of access. These can be found at the Mikey and Friends and Pixar pals parking structures.

How much does parking cost at Disneyland?

Parking prices start from $30 a day. If you want to use the designated parking spaces, these will cost you $45, or you can upgrade the ticket you already brought for parking once you get there for a $15 charge.

Train ride

If you would like to beat the traffic, why not catch the train. You can get a one-way ticket or a return trip. The Amtrak train is a great option to beat the traffic and get you to the theme parks in around 2 hours.

The train departs from the Old Town Station, Solana Beach, or Oceanside in San Diego, and they run hourly. It is a fun way to get to the park as you can just sit back with the kids, relax and enjoy the views of your California adventure.

How much does a train ride cost from San Diego to Disneyland?

A one-way ticket to Disneyland from San Diego costs $28 per adult and $14 for a child.

How to get to Disneyland from Anaheim station?

The Amtrak station is around three and a half miles from Disneyland. You could catch a taxi or Uber to the park, with the drive time being only 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can show your train ticket to get an Anaheim Resort Transportation bus to save you money.

Bus ride

You could opt for public transport if you don’t fancy driving. It is perhaps the cheapest way to get from San Diego to Disneyland. However, it isn’t the most convenient. You can get buses from downtown San Diego to downtown Anaheim.

The trip will take around 2 hours and 40 minutes with a change at another station. This could increase travel time up to about 3 hours depending on if you have to wait for your ongoing bus. Prices start from as little as $16, which is cheap.

The main downside is that the bus station in Anaheim is around 4 miles from the entrance when you arrive. You will need to get a cab or Uber from the bus station to get to the gates. Prices for this will obviously slightly differ.

How much does a bus ride cost from San Diego to Disneyland?

A bus ride from San Diego to Disneyland will cost from $16.

How to get to Disneyland from downtown Anaheim?

To get to Disneyland from downtown Anaheim, you could walk, taking around 40 minutes. An easier option would be to take a cab or Uber, which would take about 7 minutes. There is also a bus every half hour, taking around 25 minutes to reach the park.

When Is The Most Ideal Time To Visit Disneyland?

The best time to go to the Disneyland Park or the California Adventure Park has historically been said to be the end of August or September. This is said to be the quietest time of year with the least queues.

Depending on the time of year you go, the park will sometimes have cheaper ticket prices; there may be special offers available on certain days. However, these may be busier as more people will want to make the most of the special deal.

There will always be lots of people at the park no matter the time of year simply due to their mass popularity. You may only be able to go during the school holidays, expect it to be busy. If you go at quieter times of the year, fewer queues will mean more time for fun.

Midweek is always seen as a better time to go if you can, as most children will be in school and most adults at work, so you can make the most of this and enjoy a quieter park. January and February also tend to be quieter months.

FAQs

Is there a direct bus between San Diego and Disneyland?

The bus between San Diego and Disneyland is not direct; you will have to change at another station. When you arrive, you will still be 4 miles from the entrance and need to arrange for other transportation to get you to the gate.

What is the cheapest way to get from San Diego to Disneyland?

Taking a train from San Diego to Disneyland will be your cheapest option. It will cost around $28 for an adult and $14 for a child to travel on the train. Although the bus ride is cheaper, you need to factor in the cost of your Uber or cab from the bus station to the entrance to the parks, increasing the overall price of your journey.

Is Disneyland closer to LA or San Diego?

The Disneyland parks are located around 26 miles from Los Angeles and 100 miles from San Diego. Although it is obviously quicker to get to from LA, the distance from San Diego is a lot less than people may think.

Final Thoughts

If you plan a trip out to Anaheim, California, to head to the Disneyland parks, you may wonder how to get there from San Diego. Although it is 100 miles away, there are plenty of transport options to get you to the resort.

You can take your own car, leaving you flexibility when it comes to the time you want to go and leave; however, the traffic may be bad, meaning a more extended trip. You could get a bus which is a cheap way to get there. However, you have to change, which could delay your trip, and you need to get a cab or Uber to the park once you get to the bus station.

A train would be the overall cheapest and most relaxing way to start your California adventure; however, you will still need to get a cab or bus to the gates as the station is 3 miles away. Each option has its benefits and downsides.

Your choice will ultimately depend on your circumstances. Hopefully, the information we have put together will help to make your decision a little easier and get you on the road to Disneyland so you can begin making memories.

Check out these other articles about Disneyland, California:

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