- Must visit
California State Railroad Museum
One of North America’s premier rail museums, with restored locomotives, immersive exhibits, and strong California history context.
Cheapest price
$49
Average price
$49
Fastest journey
6 h 15 m
Average duration
6 h 15 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
212 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salinas, CA to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA will cost around $49 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $49.
Of the 2 buses that leave Salinas, CA for Sacramento, CA on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 212 km distance in an average of 6 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 15 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 6 h 15 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 Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $48. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 27m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $48, and a flight costs an average of $249.
Distance: 131 miles (212 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $61 Average price | $450 Average price |
4h 57m Average total duration Fastest 4h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 40m Average total duration 5h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 33m Average total duration 5h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA:
A bus is $11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $61.
A bus is $401 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $450.
Other travel options to Sacramento, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 10m.
Flight takes on average 5h 33m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:25AM | Arrival Time 10:12AM | Duration 6h47 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:25AM | Arrival Time 07:07PM | Duration 8h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:25AM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
The table below shows live departures for Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:25 AM Salinas, CA | 6h15 | 4:40 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:25 AM Salinas, CA | 6h15 | 5:40 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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 Salinas, CA to Sacramento, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 4h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $48 but you can travel from only $39 by train.
The earliest bus runs at 03:25, the last at 21:03. The fastest bus covers the 131 miles (212 km) distance in 6h 15m.
Distance 131 miles (212 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 6h 15m |
First bus 3:25 AM |
Last bus 9:03 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Sacramento, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sacramento, CA trip today.
One of North America’s premier rail museums, with restored locomotives, immersive exhibits, and strong California history context.
Excellent art museum known for California art, ceramics, photography, and engaging modern exhibitions in Midtown Sacramento.
State history museum inside the capitol, featuring restored offices, political artifacts, and architecture that defines California government.
Tree-lined central district known for restaurants, shops, murals, nightlife, and easy walking between major Sacramento attractions.
Large riverside park with trails, gardens, ponds, and open lawns, ideal for strolling, picnics, and seeing local wildlife.
Long riverfront path popular for walking and cycling, linking parks and neighborhoods with broad Sacramento River views.
Farm-to-fork seasonal plates built from Sacramento Valley produce. They reflect the city's agricultural identity and restaurant culture more than a single fixed recipe.
A local spin on California cuisine using grilled salmon, asparagus, citrus, and herbs. It highlights nearby river fish and regional produce.
Fresh Delta asparagus, often grilled, roasted, or served in salads. It is a celebrated spring ingredient from the nearby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Contemporary fine dining destination focused on seasonal Sacramento ingredients, tasting menus, and polished service.
Beloved local bakery and cafe for breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee with a lively neighborhood feel.
Historic upscale restaurant in Old Sacramento known for steaks, seafood, and classic dining room service in a refined setting.
Moderate for California. Hotels are often pricier than smaller US cities, while casual dining and local transit stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants, 18-22% for excellent service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes often have tip jars or screen prompts; small tips are appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salinas, CA to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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