- 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
$70
Average price
$120
Fastest journey
10 h 55 m
Average duration
12 h 7 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
683 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Oceanside, 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 Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $120 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $70.
Of the 3 buses that leave Oceanside, CA for San Francisco, CA on Thu, May 28, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 28 the direct buses cover the 683 km distance in an average of 12 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 55 m .
On Thu, May 28 the slowest buses will take 12 h 43 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 Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $68. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 31m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $68, and a flight costs an average of $66.
Distance: 424 miles (683 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$86 Average price | $83 Average price Cheapest | $241 Average price | $110 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 25m Average total duration 10h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 58m Average total duration 12h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 31m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A train is $3 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $86 (€69).
A train is $159 (€128) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $241 (€195).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 55m.
Train takes on average 12h 28m.
Tickets start at around $86 (€69) compared to roughly $110 (€89) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $25 (€20). The journey takes 10h 55m versus 7h 24m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $214 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $176 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:57AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 14h18 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 12h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:55AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 14h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $144 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:57AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 12h43 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:57PM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 12h43 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:57PM | Arrival Time 05:40AM | Duration 12h43 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:40PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $141 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 12h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $107 |
The table below shows live departures for Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Wednesday, May 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK | 4:57 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 12h48 | 5:45 AM San Francisco, CA | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 8:40 PM Oceanside | 10h30 | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, May 28 | |||||
![]() | 4:20 AM Oceanside, CA | 10h55 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, May 27 | |||||
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK | 11:10 PM Oceanside Transportation Center, Oceanside, CA | 12h20 | 11:30 AM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
| Thursday, May 28 | |||||
![]() | 3:57 PM Oceanside, CA | 12h43 | 4:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:57 PM Oceanside, CA | 12h43 | 5:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Oceanside, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 10h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€51) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 04:40, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 424 miles (683 km) distance in 10h 55m.
Distance 424 miles (683 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€51) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 10h 55m |
First bus 4:40 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 3 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 Oceanside, 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need