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    Old Town Transit Center

    3.4 (124 reviews)

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    Nycole R.

    I'm a sucker for a train ride and for the past 12 years my wife and I have visited San Diego and driven past the train station, not giving it a second glance. Then a colleague who lives in the area suggested that we try the Coaster while in town. We did a little research and found it to be an inexpensive option to get up the coast. This transit center is a connection point for several trains and busses, not just the Coaster. It can be a little confusing if you're not familiar with the area, but there are signs that point out which track you need to be on for which train and the busses are clearly marked. There's also a good amount of parking, so you can leave you vehicle and hop on the train. It's a fun way to get around!

    San Diego Trolley
    Travis T.

    I like to jump on the San Diego Trolley from this location because I am too cheap to pay high parking prices for an event. I stay in Old Town often and this is the closest MTS pickup location. Plus there is free parking at the nearby Park and Ride (if you can find a spot). I usually ride the MTS downtown to a Padres game or to the convention center. It is easy to jump on and off the Trolley once you figure out how to ride it. The nice thing about this Transit Center is that you can walk over to Old Town after you get off and grab a bite or visit some of the shops there. The bad thing about this area is that it can be a little sketchy late hours. There is an MTS employee at this location that helps explain how to purchase a Pronto Card to ride. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (or MTS) is a public transit system for San Diego County and is one of the oldest transit systems in Southern California. The Trolley takes you all over San Diego to locations like Downtown San Diego, El Cajon, San Diego State University and to the border at San Ysidro. Old Town Transit Center opens from 6am-9pm. Overnight parking is not allowed in the park and ride. The Amtrak and the Coaster commuter rail service also makes stops here.

    Looking north from the platform
    Ron Q.

    Need access to free parking when heading to downtown or some remote spot in or around town (like the border). Checkout the Old Town Transit Center. Conveniently located in a central part of town with easy access to/ from both 5 & 8 freeways. Did I mention free parking? Hop on a bus, trolley or Coaster for $2.50 and off you go. Some of the parking is under the transition bridge from 5 south to 8 East which offers some shade and cover from the elements for your vehicle. It's well lit for evening events or early morning transit needs. Did I mention it's free? There is security on hand as well as MTS employees to assist with ticket purchases and general information. Super helpful for anyone not familiar with the public transportation system in San Diego. This parking lot also offers easy access to Old Town. With a plethora of shops, restaurants and museums. Did I mention parking is free? Keep on Yelp'n!

    Gary N.

    The name of this center is obviously telling you where it's located, and also meaning if you took the trolley here then you get to visit old town, I don't know if it was a coincidence, but every time I stopped here, something happened near the sidewalk, always a lot of cop cars or ambulances, someone either having a heart attack or car accident or worse. I guess I can drive to old town, but the scenic route from trolley wasn't bad

    Service window
    Aileen C.

    My family and I took the train from San Diego back home to Seattle in 2107. Ticket purchase was easy. This was our second train trip we've tried so far. We rode the double decker Amtrak. Thankfully, it was not crowded in our section. We had a peaceful ride. The seats were pretty comfortable. It was a great experience however, I'd rather fly!

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    Ask the Community - Old Town Transit Center

    An employee helping travelers get to their destination this weekend communicated that the tickets loaded on purple cards have an extended expiration and are valid for over a year.. is this accurate?

    The cards are good for a year and the fares are purchased are good for a month and you can purchase fares for a day's pass and a week's pass.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Old Town Transit Center

    First, I've been living here before the first trolley and have been taking the trolley for decades.

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    Santa Fe Train Depot

    Santa Fe Train Depot

    3.7
    (227 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Heads up: There's currently a lot of construction going on around this train station, so if you're…read moreubering here I would give yourself extra time as your car may need to circle back around or drop you off at a further point with a bit if a walk. The station itself is older but that gives it some charm. If you're coming here thinking you're going to have a whole bunch of food options, think again. There's one little kiosk with a guy selling a few sandwiches and coffee. Honestly though the kiosk guy was great, really friendly even early in the morning. I wasn't exactly sure how this whole thing worked since I'm not from here, but the attendant was nice and explained that my train would have a line up starting 20 minutes before boarding, then we'd all board together. If you're taking a train out of here I'd give yourself extra time and bring your own food (but stop by the kiosk guy for a coffee, he's a delight).

    The staff here are rude; lacking basic customer service etiquette and accountability…read more I had a nasty fall on a large puddle of unattended water (no hazard sign). My phone screen is shattered and I have large, colorful bruises all along my knees and left thigh which appeared immediately. I was even bleeding a bit through my clothes. The janitor cleaned the water but was otherwise dismissive and lacking empathy even after seeing the damages. So, I asked him to apologize repeatedly for neglecting his duty . He adamantly refused, stating that "HE (personally) didn't spill the water" and "can't be everywhere at once" lol. The manager had the sense to apologize but was condescending. Talking over me the entire time, loudly defending the janitor within earshot of him. Mansplaining excuses that are NOT the customer's burden to understand such as: "we can't hire janitors 24/7" and "you said the spill looked like it was there for a while? Well, he ONLY clocked in 1hr ago and cleans the restrooms first". How is that my business lol? Any assigned duty during his shift is his responsibility. It's just common sense to apologize. Your internal staffing issues are also not a customer concern; you simply need more janitors or at least for them to prioritize tasks more efficiently. I've worked as a server and can't count the number of times I've had to fix and take accountability for a previous shift's mistake, btw. Annoying to listen to the manager trying to refute and twist all of my legitimate points in the janitor's defense. Yet, fully admitting that he needs to be admonished. Stop being your employee's boy. Teach basic respect. He even countered that this person is a "third party" hire when I pointed out that he still works for and therefore, represents Amtrak. Ridiculous LMFAO. Even ChatGPT finds them rude lol. No professionalism.

    Photos
    Clean and calm
    Clean and calm
    Santa Fe Train Depot - San Diego, CA
    Santa Fe Train Depot - San Diego, CA
    Santa Fe Train Depot - San Diego, CA

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    Santa Fe Train Depot - San Diego, CA
    Middletown Trolley Station

    Middletown Trolley Station

    3.3
    (7 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    In the many areas of San Diego the San Diego TrolleytrVels through taking passengers to many areas…read moreof San Diego and the South Bay and the International Border. With the many stations that you can go to there is the Middletown Trolley that is close by the airport shuttle stop and the elevated entrance to the Little Italy area of India Street. San Diego Trolley has been one that has been the scene of a major movie that gave the many riders of the trolley to get to aee a movie being filmed of Lafeme Nikita . The trolley stations have so much when you travel and get off at the many stations from the Fashion Valley to the Mission Valley. Middle is one of the many stations that you can see the San Diego International Airport from the station you can see the many flights. Of the .middle Town Station the location is one that the station is on the hill you can hear the trains go by where you can can catch the Green Line and Blue Line Trolkey. The harbor office and the many construction offices that you see around the coaster train has a repair station that you see of a blue building. The location of the Middle Town Transit that was one location that along Pacific Highway was the area of the defence plants and aircraft assembly during the war. Middle Town Transit is one of the many and the piece of history the Pacific Highway area is one ace that has a long er that was beneficial. San Diego Station is the one place you can look over and be able to catch the Blue Line to UTC and the Green Line to the City of ElCajon. Being a Yelp Elite Reviewer the many times I have rode the bus there are many ways you can save money with travel taking you past the headaches of traffic and fendervenders. San Diego Transit of the trolley is one of the greatest ways to travel to the many great and marvelous places.

    This San Diego Trolley station is a convenient and functional stop on the Blue and Green Lines,…read moreoffering transfers between the two, which I've used changing trolleys here. It's really quite vanilla. The station features at-grade side platforms with basic passenger shelters. No other amenities. It serves mostly commuters in the Middletown area. This is also the closest trolley stop to the Port of San Diego HQ.

    Photos
    The stop for the airport shuttle the shuttles that come from the car rental parking and the pick up station.
    The stop for the airport shuttle the shuttles that come from the car rental parking and the pick up station.
    When you come off the trolley just walk down the street you will see the many palm trees the stop for the shuttle .
    When you come off the trolley just walk down the street you will see the many palm trees the stop for the shuttle .
    Middletown Trolley Station

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    City College Trolley Stop

    City College Trolley Stop

    4.0
    (2 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    From the many years that I have rode the buses and the trolley there have been those times that you…read morehave to wait for the buses to get to the trolley stations. And with the many trolley stations there was the new trolley design that can handle the new lower platform and the new electrical lift system that was much lower ease and the access for the people that are in wheelchairs they can wheel up a very low ramp into the trolley. City College being one of the busiest stations and the large transfer station and the connection point to the many busses. With the many Trolley lines that branch out throughout San Diego yet the one that has the greatest role is the City College Trolley and transit Center with the many City Buses and the Express buses that stop there at that one station. With the City of San Diego, you can take a look at the many Trolleys and the many bus stations that service San Diego many of the routes and the express buses do service the City College Transit Station. One of the many routes that services the many High School Districts is the Number#7 bus that picks up the kids all along the University Avenue that hooks back to the City of Lamesa. City College is the meeting of the two trollies when they come around the bend and the many transfers that come from the buses and the San Diego City College many of the students, they catch the trolley to get back home and to class. With the two lines that meet at the City College Transit Center and Trolley stop you can catch the Blue Line that takes you to South of the border and the orange line takes you to the East County and the stops before Santee. When the Trolley first started running it was only going to so many stations before it had to turn back and the Trolley Tickets resembled the color of the line you were on and very small tickets, so you had to hold on to them. City College is one of the main stops that can take you up towards the San Diego Zoo and the famous Balboa Park that so many take the Trolley to and catch the number#7 bus to the San Diego Zoo. With the ease and the access, you may never know there was a first YWCA that was very close by the station. The many Trolleys and the Bus Stations that are hooked in with the Trolley Line you can travel to the many areas of San Diego and those areas of the South Bay and National City and down to the International Border. With the City College Transit Station, it has been the main transit and transfer point for the many buses and Trolley and the mainline Express Routes that service the City of San Diego from Escondido and the City of Kearny Mesa with stops in Rancho Bernardo. As a Yelp Reviewer for the many years that I have taken the Trolley and the many Buses that have serviced many areas with those routes and the many transfers would Have come back to the City College Transit Station at the Hill before going into the City of San Diego. The two lines have been the greatest with the increase in security it makes it easier to travel and the use of the Pronto card.

    This is not a business at all this is just a regular trolley stop for the blue line and orange…read moretrolley there are a couple of convenient there's a 7-Eleven of the year and a convenience store if you want something you drink on you're a no bathrooms like everything it's just a regular trolley stop it goes downtown San Diego and that's it

    Photos
    City College Trolley Stop
    City College Trolley Stop

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    Greyhound Bus Lines

    Greyhound Bus Lines

    1.7
    (63 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    I had the absolute worst experience riding with greyhound, and I will never again ride a bus thanks…read moreto them. First, I purchased my ticket as a straight bus from San Diego to San Jose, Ca., we stopped 4 different times, and on our third stop there was a 2hr delay, in Los Angeles. Second, they(Greyhound) did not tell us why we had stopped in Los Angeles for 2 hours, the reason changed three different times. The employees told us: 1. The bus needed to be cleaned, which was not(as soon as we got back on the bus there were literally paper towels on the floor in the first 3 rows and the whole bus still smelled like urine) 2. They were waiting for a new driver coming from Tijuana(like what does that even mean?) 3. They need to switch buses due to servicing. Third, the employee personnel collectively were the utmost rudest people I've ever had to deal with. Whoever was working on December 19 on this ticket confirmation deserves to be fired; BESIDES the drivers. The drivers were fine and the rides were the only thing decent about this trip. The employees that were in charge of overseeing the 2hr delay in Los Angeles were so rude that I will NEVER RIDE greyhound again!!!! I was yelled at to go to the back of the line, when I should get priority on the returning bus because I wasn't supposed to stop in LA to begin with. I was told by the same rude employee that "Greyhound will cancel my ticket and I would have to walk to San Jose if I don't go to the back of the line". Third, my ticket didn't work the second time they tried scanning it to get on the same bus that was delayed for 2hrs. It was the EXACT SAME BUS and my ticket did not work! Luckily the bus driver was nice enough to let me get on the bus, bless his soul. Forth, assigned seating goes out the window, I had 9D, window seat. I was not allowed to claim my assigned seat both times! Absolutely ridiculous, why have assigned seating in the first place! Makes me wonder, if I had paid for an extra seat next to me to avoid a seating partner if that would've happened... SCAM!!! Lastly, my bus ride was delayed 3 whole hours and I was late to work! My bus was scheduled to arrive in San Jose, Ca at 5:55am on Dec 20th, it did not arrive until 9am. Absolutely ridiculous! I WILL NEVER RIDE GREYHOUND AGAIN.

    If I can rate their service below one star I'd rate them negative five stars. They failed in all…read moreaspects of transportation for the community or for senior citizens with disability. They're lack of compassion they failedGreyhounds customer service they failed taking responsibility to deliver quality service they failed. their instructions for emergency situations to make sure their passengers safety was priority ,they failed miserably.!!! Greyhound bus is incompetent don't put your trust in them to get you where you need to go on time ,make sure you know you're going to be sleeping outside the station if and when you missed your connection and you have to wait next day for a bus to take you to your destination. Don't count on reimbursement when need to transfer to other modes of transportation they failed to deliver to connecting transportation such as Airports. After miserable and disappointing travel with Greyhound, I decided to finish my destination by going on Amtrak. I will never ride a Greyhound bus again ! advise anybody else that rides Greyhound you're risking your safety and don't put your trust in them they will not deliver they fail and all aspects of transportation for the public I don't know how they're still in business but they're a failing company that's struggling just to keep a bus runningl. Department of transportation needs to shut them down good luck to not go on Greyhound

    Photos
    Greyhound Bus Lines
    Greyhound Bus Lines
    Greyhound Bus Lines

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    Green Line East Bound Station

    Green Line East Bound Station

    5.0
    (2 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    As a traveler I have found that when you take tte trolley you can go to relax and the travel along…read morethe bay you xan enjoy the bayside. With the Green Libe you canvriee the new line that takes you past the Seaport Village and the American Plaza which travels oast the Sants Fe Station the bayside line that makes up the Bayside Line. Taking the trolley when you have a disability not able to drive trolley and bus travel are the bezt ways to get around San Diego having epilepsy doesnt slow me down. The Green Line Station is one that is conbected to the many busses you can catch the Orange Line and the Blue Line to the San ysidro Interbational for the station is around the cirner from the buses. Green Line Station is one place that you can look over and see the many other trains and trolleys On the weekends the San Diego Trolley the Silver Line that doez the bayside and the Cst the first trolkey that traveled ibto the Morth Park and HillCrest for the first cable car was one of the many that swrviced the San Diego Zoo. The Green Line Station has been one of the best for the baysidw runnibg down through Mission and Fashion Velkey with connections to thle Transit Center of Dashion Valley which services the many areas of Clairemont. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer the Bayzide Green Line Stetion you can travel past the many areas for the Green Line cuts time going to tlhe areas of Grossmont Transit trancefering over to the 852 of the grwat service of the Green Line.

    The BUSIEST Line! The East Bound Station is home to one of the busiest lines in SD. The Green Line…read moretakes you to Seaport, the Convention Center, Old Town and much more. It's literally San Diego's greatest hits all in one line. The trolley is pretty quick and they're constantly moving through but don't be surprised if you have to wait a few times before you can actually fit into a trolley. Thankfully, if you board from this station you should find some seating space, at least some standing room! I believe this is a starting point for the Green Line. I primarily ride this line during Comic Con and it drops me off right at the hub! Staff were super nice and helpful every time I boarded. This station is a block away from the MTS hub and the main 12th and Imperial station. If you have any questions there's always staff around.

    Photos
    When you board the trolleys is you must have a ticket or travel pass which is valid for the trolley. Coaster is a different pass.
    When you board the trolleys is you must have a ticket or travel pass which is valid for the trolley. Coaster is a different pass.
    To look all the way down the line you can see how far the flood water were at and the many areas are still be ing repaired .
    To look all the way down the line you can see how far the flood water were at and the many areas are still be ing repaired .
    With the many train stations you must stay behind the fences and those areas that are marked off.

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    With the many train stations you must stay behind the fences and those areas that are marked off.

    Old Town Transit Center - trainstations - Updated August 2026

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