- Must visit
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Major modern and contemporary art museum with an internationally important collection and frequent blockbuster exhibitions.
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA
Showing times and prices for Jul 12
Cheapest price
$155
Average price
$289
Fastest journey
2 d 22 h 10 m
Average duration
3 d 15 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
4051 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $289 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $155.
Fast buses
Of the 3 buses that leave Philadelphia, PA for San Francisco, CA on Sun, Jul 12, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jul 12 the direct buses cover the 4051 km distance in an average of 3 d 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 22 h 10 m .
On Sun, Jul 12 the slowest buses will take 3 d 3 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.
2:40 PM71h35Philadelphia, PA2:15 PMSan Francisco, CA$1551One-way0 transfers- 4:05 PM70h10Philadelphia, PA2:15 PMSan Francisco, CA$2461One-way0 transfers
- 9:35 PM75h00Philadelphia, PA12:35 AMSan Francisco, CA$4661One-way0 transfers
- 4:05 PM70h10Philadelphia, PA2:15 PMSan Francisco, CA$2461One-way0 transfers
- 2:40 PM71h35Philadelphia, PA2:15 PMSan Francisco, CA$1551One-way0 transfers
- 9:35 PM75h00Philadelphia, PA12:35 AMSan Francisco, CA$4661One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $139. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $139, and a train costs an average of $244.
Distance: 2517 miles (4051 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$384 Average price | $322 Average price Cheapest | $1029 Average price | $708 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
68h 40m Average total duration 68h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 46m Average total duration Fastest 6h 46m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 74h 16m Average total duration 73h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 42h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA is a flight with an average price of $322 (€265).
This is compared to other travel options from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA:
A flight is $62 (€51) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $384 (€316).
A flight is $707 (€582) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $1029 (€846).
The fastest way to travel from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 46m.
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 68h 10m.
Train takes on average 73h 46m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Philadelphia, PA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.
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.
Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 06:05PM | Duration 90h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $702 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 84h15 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $391 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 71h35 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $155 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 80h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $536 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 70h10 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $143 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 73h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $276 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 73h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $478 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 69h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $227 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 69h50 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $254 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 68h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $607 |
Live departures
Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA buses for tomorrow, Sunday, July 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:40 PM Philadelphia, PA | 71h35 | 2:15 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 Philadelphia, PA 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.
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Why should you book Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA buses with Omio?
Greyhound operates all buses services from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- 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 Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA run on average 13 times per day, taking around 68h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $143 (€117) but you can travel from only $139 (€114) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 01:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 2517 miles (4051 km) distance in 68h 55m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $139 (€114)
Distance 2517 miles (4051 km) |
Average bus duration 68h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $143 (€117) |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 68h 55m |
First bus 1:50 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 1 day |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $139 (€114)
Bus providers: Greyhound from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA with Greyhound for as low as $139 (€114). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
About
Greyhound Lines, Inc. is a prominent American intercity bus transportation provider, established in 1914. It operates the largest intercity bus network in the United States, also extending services to Canada and Mexico. Greyhound is known for offering affordable and reliable long-distance travel, connecting major cities and rural communities across North America. The company's buses are equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and extra legroom to enhance passenger comfort. Greyhound is a subsidiary of Flix SE, which also owns FlixBus, and together they offer an extensive network of over 1,600 destinations.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
68h 55m
Cheapest Price
$143 (€117)
Greyhound frequency
12 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
Additional luggage
$15 per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed.
Complete guide to San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco
Discover the best of San Francisco — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Francisco trip today.
- Must visit
Exploratorium
Hands-on science and art museum on the Embarcadero, especially popular for interactive exhibits and bay views.
- Recommended
de Young Museum
Leading fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park, known for American art, textiles, and its observation tower.
- Must visit
Fisherman's Wharf
Busy waterfront district known for classic San Francisco atmosphere, bay views, piers, and easy access to major sights.
- Must visit
Lombard Street
Famous crooked block with steep curves, manicured gardens, and one of the city's most photographed street scenes.
- Must visit
Golden Gate Park
Huge urban park with gardens, lakes, museums, and broad walking and cycling routes across the western city.
- Gluten-free
Cioppino
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian American fishermen in San Francisco, typically filled with crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fish.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Sourdough Bread
San Francisco’s famous tangy sourdough loaf, shaped by the city’s historic wild yeast culture and long baking tradition.
Mission-Style Burrito
A large foil-wrapped burrito associated with the Mission District, usually packed with rice, beans, meat, salsa, and extras.
House of Prime Rib
Classic San Francisco institution serving carved prime rib with old-fashioned hospitality and a lively, upscale supper-club feel.
La Taqueria
Iconic Mission District taqueria celebrated for Mission-style burritos and tacos with a simple, always-busy casual atmosphere.
Swan Oyster Depot
Historic seafood counter famous for ultra-fresh oysters, crab, and cioppino ingredients in a classic old-school San Francisco setting.
United States Dollar
Prices are high for hotels, dining, parking, and taxes. Budget options exist, but overall costs rank among the highest in the US.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- USD 12-20 for fast food or casual takeout.
- Mid-range
- USD 25-45 per person at a mid-range restaurant.
- Fine dining
- USD 90+ per person before drinks and tip.
- Coffee
- USD 4-7 for a regular coffee or cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tip 18-20% in restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15% or round up. Hotels: USD 2-5 for porters, USD 3-5 daily for housekeeping.
FAQs: Bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Philadelphia, PA 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.
Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA can start from as little as $143 (€117) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA is $384 (€316) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA is 68h 55m to travel the 2517 miles (4051 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA leaves at 1:50 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA leaves at 11:50 PM.
There are 13 buses a day from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA which require at least one change with Greyhound. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA, you can count on Greyhound for the best way to get you to San Francisco, CA. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Philadelphia, PA and San Francisco, CA and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to San Francisco, CA from Philadelphia, PA is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 68h 55m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Philadelphia, PA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA:
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA for bus company Greyhound.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in San Francisco, CA are:
- 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.
The best things to do in San Francisco, CA include:
- 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.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA depends on the bus companies:
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company Greyhound.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA:
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA:
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA with the following bus company: Greyhound
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA with the following bus company: Greyhound.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA with the following bus company: Greyhound.
Since neither Philadelphia, PA nor San Francisco, CA are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United States and United States. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United States is the US Dollar (USD). For travelers, using cards is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially credit and debit cards, while cash is useful for small purchases or places that do not accept cards.
In San Francisco, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in crowded areas like Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. Common scams include distraction techniques used by groups to steal wallets and fake charity solicitations. It's advisable to avoid poorly lit or isolated areas at night and be wary of unofficial taxi services to ensure safety.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.
Most popular bus connections from Philadelphia, PA
More options for your journey from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from San Francisco, CA and Philadelphia, PA
Most popular bus connections to San Francisco, CA
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