- 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
$115
Average price
$128
Fastest journey
14 h
Average duration
14 h
Buses per day
2
Distance
885 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chico, 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 Chico, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $128 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $115.
Of the 2 buses that leave Chico, CA for San Diego, CA on Sat, Jul 18, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 18 the direct buses cover the 885 km distance in an average of 14 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 14 h .
On Sat, Jul 18 the slowest buses will take 14 h 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 Chico, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $112. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 35m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $112, and a flight costs an average of $236.
Distance: 549 miles (885 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$118 Average price Cheapest | $161 Average price | $277 Average price | $119 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
14h 59m Average total duration 14h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 16h 52m Average total duration 16h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration Fastest 1h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 8h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chico, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $43 (€35) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chico, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $161 (€132).
A bus is $159 (€130) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chico, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $277 (€227).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 14h 29m.
Train takes on average 16h 22m.
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 Amtrak | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 12:35PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $112 |
The table below shows live departures for Chico, CA to San Diego, CA buses for today, Friday, July 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:35 PM Chico, CA | 14h00 | 12:35 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:35 PM Chico, CA | 14h00 | 1:35 PM San Diego, 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 Chico, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 10 times per day, taking around 14h 29m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $112 (€92) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 04:01, the last at 22:10. The fastest bus covers the 549 miles (885 km) distance in 14h 0m.
Distance 549 miles (885 km) |
Average bus duration 14h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $112 (€92) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 14h 0m |
First bus 4:01 AM |
Last bus 10:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego 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 Chico, 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 Chico, CA to San Diego, CA buses use the Chico, Orange St (Bus Station) to San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center. Use this guide to compare Chico, CA and San Diego, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need