- Must visit
California Academy of Sciences
Renowned science museum with rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium. Interactive exhibits make it a standout for all ages.
Cheapest price
$116
Average price
$161
Fastest journey
10 h 55 m
Average duration
14 h 33 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
687 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $161 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $116.
It's difficult to get from Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA without transferring at least once.
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· · Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $97. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 41m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $97, and a flight costs an average of $84.
Distance: 426 miles (687 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$154 Average price | $195 Average price | $105 Average price Cheapest | $98 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 5m Average total duration 10h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 41m Average total duration Fastest 1h 41m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 18h 27m Average total duration 17h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 37m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A train is $49 (€40) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $154 (€127).
A train is $90 (€74) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $195 (€161).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 35m.
Train takes on average 17h 57m.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 02:10AM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 15h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 15h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $142 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 18h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $180 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 27h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $160 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 16h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $221 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $184 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:15PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $181 |
The table below shows live departures for Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· · | 6:20 AM Indio, Indio Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), CA | 16h45 | 11:05 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 2 transfers | |
· · | 12:20 PM Desert Hot Springs, Palm Drive (Jack In The Box), CA | 18h50 | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 2 transfers | |
· | 2:50 PM Indio, Indio Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), CA | 16h20 | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 1 transfer | |
· · + FlixBus | 2:50 PM Indio, Indio Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), CA | 27h05 | 5:55 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 3 transfers | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
FlixBus+![]() | 2:10 AM Indio, Indio Blvd (Greyhound Bus Station), CA | 15h45 | 5:55 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, flight, and train 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 Palm Springs, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 10h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $81 (€67) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 02:02, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 426 miles (687 km) distance in 11h 0m.
Distance 426 miles (687 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $81 (€67) |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 11h 0m |
First bus 2:02 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 6 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.
Renowned science museum with rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium. Interactive exhibits make it a standout for all ages.
Major fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park with American art, textiles, and a panoramic tower. A classic cultural highlight.
Leading modern and contemporary art museum with landmark architecture and strong global collections. Essential for art-focused visitors.
Large urban park with gardens, lakes, museums, and trails. It is a must for relaxing, walking, and seeing several major attractions.
Steeply curving block lined with flowers and grand homes. This famous street offers classic photos and a quintessential San Francisco scene.
Popular waterfront promenade with bay views, piers, and ferries. Great for walking, people-watching, and connecting to nearby sights.
A crusty loaf with a tangy flavor shaped by the city’s historic wild yeast culture. It is one of San Francisco’s most iconic foods.
Fresh local Dungeness crab, often cracked and served simply or in cioppino. It is a Bay Area seasonal specialty tied to the fishing waterfront.
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian American fishermen in North Beach. It is a classic San Francisco dish built from the day’s catch.
Celebrated fine dining destination known for inventive tasting menus and polished service in an elegant, intimate setting.
Historic North Beach seafood house famous for cioppino, crab, and old-school San Francisco waterfront charm.
Legendary Mission taqueria known for large Mission-style burritos and a lively, no-frills local atmosphere.
Very high hotel, dining, and transport costs make San Francisco pricier than most US cities and many major tourist destinations.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis, and round up or tip $1 at cafes for good service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palm Springs, 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.

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