- Must visit
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Major modern and contemporary art museum with an internationally important collection and a striking SoMa building.
Cheapest price
$84
Average price
$94
Fastest journey
5 h 35 m
Average duration
7 h 50 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
404 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $94 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $84.
Of the 2 buses that leave Bakersfield, CA for San Francisco, CA on Mon, Jun 01, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 404 km distance in an average of 7 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 35 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 10 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $69, and a flight costs an average of $244.
Distance: 251 miles (404 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$88 Average price | $72 Average price Cheapest | $471 Average price | $66 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 13m Average total duration 6h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 56m Average total duration 6h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 27m Average total duration Fastest 1h 27m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A train is $16 (€13) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $88 (€71).
A train is $399 (€322) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $471 (€379).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 26m.
Bus takes on average 6h 43m.
You'll arrive about -3h -19m sooner (6h 43m by bus vs 4h 24m by car) and save roughly $-22.00 (€-17.71) compared to fuel and tolls ($88 (€71) vs $66 (€53)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus, Greyhound.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:25AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $87 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:05AM | Duration 13h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $68 |
The table below shows live departures for Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for tomorrow, Monday, June 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:05 AM Bakersfield, CA | 5h35 | 1:40 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:20 AM Bakersfield, CA | 10h05 | 8:25 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 43m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $51 (€41) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:05, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 251 miles (404 km) distance in 5h 35m.
Distance 251 miles (404 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price $51 (€41) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 35m |
First bus 1:05 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of San Francisco — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Francisco trip today.
Major modern and contemporary art museum with an internationally important collection and a striking SoMa building.
Hands-on science and perception museum on the Embarcadero, especially popular for interactive exhibits and bay views.
Large natural history and science museum with aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest dome in Golden Gate Park.
Expansive urban park with gardens, lakes, museums, trails, and some of the city's best walking and cycling space.
One of North America's oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns, packed with temples, gates, markets, and side streets.
Dramatic coastal walking area with cliffs, cypress-lined trails, Golden Gate views, and Sutro Baths ruins nearby.
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian immigrant fishermen in San Francisco. It typically includes crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fish, and is one of the city’s signature dishes.
San Francisco is famous for its tangy sourdough, shaped by local wild yeast cultures. It is a historic staple often served as a loaf, toast, or bread bowl.
A large foil-wrapped burrito associated with the Mission District, packed with rice, beans, meat or other fillings, salsa, and extras. It is one of the city’s most influential casual foods.
A Mission District institution celebrated for outstanding Mission-style burritos and tacos. Lively, casual, and widely regarded as one of the city’s essential eats.
A legendary seafood counter famous for ultra-fresh oysters, crab, and seafood cocktails. Casual, iconic, and one of the city’s best-known classic stops.
A popular restaurant serving Asian fusion dishes with bold flavors in a cozy setting. Well known for garlic noodles and seafood-focused plates.
San Francisco is one of the priciest U.S. cities. Hotels, dining, and parking are costly, though casual food options exist.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Not expected at fast food.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bakersfield, CA to San Francisco, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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