The cheapest and fastest buses from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$68
Average price
$139
Fastest journey
11 h 53 m
Average duration
13 h 12 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
617 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $139 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $68.
Of the 2 buses that leave Irvine, CA for San Francisco, CA on Sat, Mar 14, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Mar 14 the direct buses cover the 617 km distance in an average of 13 h 12 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 53 m .
On Sat, Mar 14 the slowest buses will take 14 h 30 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.




Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $62. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 28m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $62, and a flight costs an average of $119.
Distance: 383 miles (617 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$90 Average price | $76 Average price Cheapest | $318 Average price |
10h 44m Average total duration 10h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 8m Average total duration 11h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:49AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 13h26 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $88 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:52AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 11h48 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 08:15AM | Duration 13h40 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $249 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:52PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 11h53 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $68 |
Live departures
Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for tomorrow, Sunday, March 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus+![]() | 1:35 AM Irvine, West Peltason Dr (UCI Crawford Hall), CA | 13h40 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 1:35 AM Irvine, CA | 14h30 | 4:05 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:52 AM Irvine, CA | 11h53 | 1:45 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
Mar 08
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Mar 14
Why should you book Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
Buses from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 10 times per day, taking around 10h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€51) but you can travel from only $62 (€50) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:35, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 383 miles (617 km) distance in 11h 48m.
Distance 383 miles (617 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€51) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 11h 48m |
First bus 04:35 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest month Jan |
Cheapest day Wed |
High season Jul - Sep |
Low season Apr - Jun |
Best day to book ahead 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA with FlixBus for as low as $62 (€50). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Irvine, 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.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections from Irvine, CA
More options for your journey from Irvine, CA to San Francisco, CA
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