The cheapest and fastest buses from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Cheapest price
$62
Average price
$69
Fastest journey
4 h 50 m
Average duration
5 h 20 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
315 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA will cost around $69 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.
Of the 3 buses that leave Oakland, CA for San Luis Obispo, CA on Mon, Jun 22, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct buses cover the 315 km distance in an average of 5 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 50 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest buses will take 5 h 59 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.
2:40 PM5h10Oakland, CA7:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$621One-way0 transfers
5:45 PM4h50Oakland, CA10:35 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$631One-way0 transfers
3:16 PM5h59Oakland, CA9:15 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$821One-way0 transfers
5:45 PM4h50Oakland, CA10:35 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$631One-way0 transfers
2:40 PM5h10Oakland, CA7:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$621One-way0 transfers
3:16 PM5h59Oakland, CA9:15 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$821One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $40, and a flight costs an average of $571.
Distance: 195 miles (315 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price Cheapest | $70 Average price | $571 Average price | $45 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 38m Average total duration 5h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 45m Average total duration 6h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 20m Average total duration Fastest 4h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
A bus is $3 (€2) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $70 (€58).
A bus is $503 (€412) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $571 (€467).
Other travel options to San Luis Obispo, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 8m.
Train takes on average 6h 15m.
You'll arrive about -2h -45m sooner (5h 8m by bus vs 3h 23m by car) and save roughly $-22.37 (€-18.31) compared to fuel and tolls ($68 (€56) vs $45 (€37)). 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.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:16PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 5h59 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $82 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:36PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 5h54 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:36PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 5h54 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $81 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:46PM | Arrival Time 02:15AM | Duration 5h29 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $82 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:46PM | Arrival Time 03:15AM | Duration 5h29 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $81 |
Live departures
Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:20 PM Oakland, CA | 6h10 | 10:30 PM San Luis Obispo, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:45 PM Oakland, CA | 4h50 | 10:35 PM San Luis Obispo, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Why should you book Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Buses from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $40 (€33) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 16:10. The fastest bus covers the 195 miles (315 km) distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 195 miles (315 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€33) |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 50m |
First bus 6:00 AM |
Last bus 4:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 28 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CAYou can travel by bus between Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with FlixBus for as low as $40 (€33). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Bubblegum Alley, a narrow alleyway famous for its walls covered in layers of chewed gum left by visitors
- Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, a historic Spanish mission founded in 1772 with a museum and beautiful gardens
- Bishop Peak, a popular hiking destination offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes
- San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum showcasing works by regional and national artists
- Avila Beach, a nearby coastal spot known for its sandy shores and scenic pier.
- Stroll through Downtown SLO, a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, and the famous Thursday Night Farmers' Market
- Attend a performance at the Fremont Theater, a historic venue known for its art deco architecture and live events
- Visit the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, offering interactive exhibits and activities for kids
- Explore the local wineries and vineyards, enjoying tastings and tours in the Edna Valley wine region
- Discover the natural beauty of Montana de Oro State Park, with its rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, and scenic hiking trails.
- 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 Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Most Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses use the Oakland, West Oakland BART Station to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) station pair. Use this guide to compare Oakland, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Getting to Oakland, West Oakland BART Station from Oakland city centre
Getting to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) from San Luis Obispo city centre
Most popular bus connections from Oakland, CA
More options for your journey from Oakland, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
