- Must visit
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Major modern and contemporary art museum with an outstanding collection, rotating exhibitions, and a central SoMa location.
Cheapest price
$128
Average price
$196
Fastest journey
15 h 20 m
Average duration
15 h 20 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
799 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salem, OR 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 Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA will cost around $196 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $128.
Of the 2 buses that leave Salem, OR for San Francisco, CA on Fri, Jun 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 05 the direct buses cover the 799 km distance in an average of 15 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 15 h 20 m .
On Fri, Jun 05 the slowest buses will take 15 h 20 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $128. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $128, and a train costs an average of $100.
Distance: 496 miles (799 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$180 Average price Cheapest | $253 Average price | $248 Average price | $121 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
14h 50m Average total duration 14h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 20m Average total duration 16h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 20m Average total duration Fastest 3h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA:
A bus is $68 (€55) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA costing on average $248 (€200).
A bus is $73 (€59) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA costing on average $253 (€204).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 14h 20m.
Train takes on average 16h 50m.
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 04:05AM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $132 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $128 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $118 |
The table below shows live departures for Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA buses for tomorrow, Thursday, June 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:05 AM Salem, OR | 15h20 | 7:25 PM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:05 AM Salem, OR | 15h20 | 8:25 PM 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 Salem, OR to San Francisco, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 14h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $128 (€103) but you can travel from only $100 (€81) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 07:55, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 496 miles (799 km) distance in 14h 20m.
Distance 496 miles (799 km) |
Average bus duration 14h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $128 (€103) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 14h 20m |
First bus 7:55 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 outstanding collection, rotating exhibitions, and a central SoMa location.
Hands-on science and perception museum on the Embarcadero, especially popular for interactive exhibits and bay views.
Fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park known for American art, textiles, global collections, and its observation tower.
Vast urban park with gardens, museums, lakes, trails, and open space, ideal for walking, cycling, and relaxing.
Famous crooked block with sharp turns, flower beds, and classic city views, especially popular with first-time visitors.
Iconic row of Victorian houses facing a hilltop park with one of the city's most photographed skyline backdrops.
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian American fishermen in San Francisco, usually filled with crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fish.
San Francisco’s most famous loaf, known for its tangy flavor from local wild yeast culture and a long baking tradition.
A large foil-wrapped burrito popularized in the Mission District, typically packed with rice, beans, meat, salsa, and extras.
Classic San Francisco institution serving carved prime rib with old-school service and a bustling supper-club atmosphere.
Legendary Mission District taqueria famous for mission-style burritos and tacos, with a casual fast-moving atmosphere.
Iconic no-frills seafood counter celebrated for ultra-fresh oysters, crab, and shellfish with a classic local feel.
One of the priciest U.S. cities. Hotels, dining, parking, and taxes are high, though casual food options exist.
Restaurants: 18-20% standard, 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotels: USD 2-5 for housekeeping, USD 1-2 per bag for porters.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salem, OR 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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