The cheapest and fastest buses from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
Cheapest price
$58
Average price
$60
Fastest journey
3 h
Average duration
3 h 36 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
137 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA will cost around $60 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $58.
Of the 3 buses that leave Salinas, CA for Oakland, CA on Mon, Jun 01, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 137 km distance in an average of 3 h 36 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 4 h 48 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.
9:00 PM3h00Salinas, CA12:00 AMOakland, CA$581One-way0 transfers
8:00 PM3h00Salinas, CA11:00 PMOakland, CA$601One-way0 transfers
10:15 PM4h48Salinas, CA3:03 AMOakland, CA$611One-way0 transfers
9:00 PM3h00Salinas, CA12:00 AMOakland, CA$581One-way0 transfers
8:00 PM3h00Salinas, CA11:00 PMOakland, CA$601One-way0 transfers
10:15 PM4h48Salinas, CA3:03 AMOakland, CA$611One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 51m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $26, and a bus costs an average of $24.
Distance: 85 miles (137 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$50 Average price | $48 Average price Cheapest | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 21m Average total duration Fastest 2h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 24m Average total duration 2h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA:
A train is $2 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA costing on average $50 (€41).
Other travel options to Oakland, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 54m.
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.
Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:40AM | Arrival Time 05:06AM | Duration 3h26 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 12:56AM | Duration 2h41 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:15PM | Arrival Time 01:56AM | Duration 2h41 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $60 |
Live departures
Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:15 PM Salinas, CA | 2h41 | 12:56 AM Oakland, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
Buses from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $24 (€19) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:49, the last at 18:05. The fastest bus covers the 85 miles (137 km) distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 85 miles (137 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€19) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 2h 30m |
First bus 6:49 AM |
Last bus 6:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 3 days |
FAQs: Bus from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salinas, CA to Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Lake Merritt, a large tidal lagoon offering scenic walking paths and boating activities
- Oakland Museum of California, a museum dedicated to the art, history, and natural sciences of California
- Jack London Square, a waterfront area with dining, shopping, and entertainment options
- Redwood Regional Park, a vast park with hiking trails through towering redwood trees
- Chabot Space and Science Center, an interactive museum with planetarium shows and telescopes for stargazing.
- Visit the vibrant Temescal Alley, known for its unique shops and eateries
- Explore the historic USS Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Floating White House"
- Enjoy a performance at the Fox Theater, a beautifully restored 1920s movie palace
- Discover the diverse flavors at the Oakland First Fridays street festival
- Take a scenic bike ride along the Bay Trail, offering stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
Most popular bus connections from Salinas, CA
More options for your journey from Salinas, CA to Oakland, CA
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