- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$46
Average price
$50
Fastest journey
10 m
Average duration
18 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
52 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $46.
Of the 4 buses that leave Carlsbad, CA for San Diego, CA on Tue, Aug 25, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 25 the direct buses cover the 52 km distance in an average of 18 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 m .
On Tue, Aug 25 the slowest buses will take 40 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 Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $19, and a bus costs an average of $12.
Distance: 32 miles (52 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$50 Average price | $19 Average price Cheapest | $8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 15m Average total duration Fastest 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 23m Average total duration 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is $31 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $50.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 53m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 Infobus | Departure Time 02:09AM | Arrival Time 02:19AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 03:09AM | Arrival Time 03:19AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 04:09AM | Arrival Time 04:19AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 05:09AM | Arrival Time 05:19AM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 07:04AM | Arrival Time 07:34AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:05AM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 07:24AM | Arrival Time 08:04AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 09:19AM | Arrival Time 10:19AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 09:39AM | Arrival Time 10:49AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 11:19AM | Arrival Time 12:49PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 11:39AM | Arrival Time 01:09PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 11:59AM | Arrival Time 01:09PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 03:19PM | Arrival Time 04:49PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 03:39PM | Arrival Time 03:49PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 05:49PM | Arrival Time 06:19PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 06:09PM | Arrival Time 06:19PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 07:39PM | Arrival Time 07:49PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 07:49PM | Arrival Time 09:19PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 08:09PM | Arrival Time 09:19PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 08:39PM | Arrival Time 08:49PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 09:39PM | Arrival Time 10:19PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 09:49PM | Arrival Time 10:19PM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Futura Net | Departure Time 10:09PM | Arrival Time 11:19PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 11:39PM | Arrival Time 11:49PM | Duration 0h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $52 |
The table below shows live departures for Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA buses for today, Monday, August 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:09 AM Carlsbad, CA | 0h40 | 5:49 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:05 AM Carlsbad, CA | 0h45 | 7:50 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:39 PM Carlsbad, CA | 0h10 | 8:49 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:39 PM Carlsbad, CA | 0h10 | 11:49 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, August 25 | |||||
![]() | 3:09 AM Carlsbad, CA | 0h10 | 3:19 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:05. The fastest bus covers the 32 miles (52 km) distance in 10m.
Distance 32 miles (52 km) |
Average bus duration 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 10m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA buses use the Carlsbad to San Diego station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park). Use this guide to compare Carlsbad, CA and San Diego, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Carlsbad is 1 km from Carlsbad city centre. Public transport options include:
Carlsbad has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Carlsbad. ATMs are available at Carlsbad.
Ticket office support is available at Carlsbad.
Available at Carlsbad: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlsbad: Ramps available for wheelchairs.
San Diego has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: There are fast food outlets nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at San Diego. ATMs are available at San Diego.
Ticket office support is available at San Diego.
Available at San Diego: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Diego: Station is accessible for individuals with disabilities.
San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several dining options nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park). ATMs are available at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park).
Ticket office support is available at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park).
Available at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park): Wheelchair accessible routes available.
San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center is 22 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several fast food eateries located nearby.
Wi-Fi is available at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center. ATMs are available near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center.
Available at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center: Wheelchair accessible with ramps.
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