- 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 on Sep 01
$67
Average ticket price on Sep 01
$162
Fastest journey on Sep 01
12 h 40 m
Average journey duration on Sep 01
16 h 15 m
Buses on Sep 01
2
Distance
621 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $162 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $67.
On Tue, Sep 01, we found 2 buses from Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 01 the direct buses cover the 621 km distance in an average of 16 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 40 m .
On Tue, Sep 01 the slowest buses will take 19 h 50 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 Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $115 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 5m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $115, while a flight costs an average of $686.
Distance: 385 miles (621 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$156 Average price | $115 Average price Cheapest | $686 Average price | $97 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 8m Average total duration 11h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 16m Average total duration 13h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 5m Average total duration Fastest 4h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A train is $41 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $156.
A train is $571 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $686.
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 11h 38m.
Train takes on average 13h 46m.
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 Greyhound | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 12h15 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $216 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 12h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:40AM | Duration 12h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 11h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $109 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:15PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 19h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $258 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:25PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 23h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $218 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 28h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $148 |
The table below shows live departures for Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Monday, August 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:00 PM Riverside, CA | 12h40 | 4:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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.
Buses from Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 11h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $95 but you can travel from only $63 by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 04:05, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 385 miles (621 km) distance in 9h 0m.
Distance 385 miles (621 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $95 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 9h 0m |
First bus 4:05 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Discover the best of San Francisco, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Francisco, CA 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 Riverside, 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.

Most Riverside, CA to San Francisco, CA buses use the Riverside, Parking Lot 30 to San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 station pair, with some services arriving at San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street. Use this guide to compare Riverside, CA and San Francisco, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Riverside, Parking Lot 30 is 6 km from Riverside city centre. Public transport options include:
Riverside, Parking Lot 30 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Riverside, Parking Lot 30. ATMs are available at Riverside, Parking Lot 30.
Ticket office support is available at Riverside, Parking Lot 30.
Available at Riverside, Parking Lot 30: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Riverside, Parking Lot 30: Accessible pathways for wheelchairs.
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 is 2 km from San Francisco city centre. Public transport options include:
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29. ATMs are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Ticket office support is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Wheelchair accessible areas present.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need