The cheapest and fastest buses from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA
Cheapest price
$77
Average price
$126
Fastest journey
11 h
Average duration
12 h 43 m
Buses per day
11
Distance
732 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA will cost around $126 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $77.
Of the 11 buses that leave San Diego, CA for Oakland, CA on Fri, Jan 16, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jan 16 the direct buses cover the 732 km distance in an average of 12 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h .
On Fri, Jan 16 the slowest buses will take 14 h 4 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.
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK

5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAKTravel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €43. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €43, and a flight costs an average of €25.
Distance: 454 miles (732 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€60 Average price Cheapest | €71 Average price | €146 Average price |
12h 51m Average total duration 12h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 5m Average total duration 13h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.7 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.2 - 4.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:01AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 14h04 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 13h55 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:01AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 14h14 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 18h40 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $181 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 14h40 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $180 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:01PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 14h14 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $183 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 06:35AM | Duration 11h00 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $183 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 11:13AM | Duration 13h03 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $105 |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA buses for today, Thursday, January 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:01 PM San Diego, CA | 14h14 | 1:15 PM Oakland, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, January 16 | |||||
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK | 2:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 14h04 | 4:05 AM Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA | 1 transfer | |
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK | 2:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 13h55 | 4:05 AM Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA | 1 transfer | |
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 4:01 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 14h14 | 6:15 AM Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA | 1 transfer | |
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 4:10 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 14h05 | 6:15 AM Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, and train 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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Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA
Buses from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA run on average 23 times per day, taking around 12h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $54 (€43) but you can travel from only $31 (€25) by flight.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 454 miles (732 km) distance in 13h 15m.
Distance 454 miles (732 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price $54 (€43) |
Buses per day 23 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 13h 15m |
First bus 03:50 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA start from as low as $54 (€43) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $74 (€60) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 23 daily trains from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA with 3 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 13h 15m but the average duration is 12h 21m
Train Operators
- Travel from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA with FlixBus and Greyhound
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is FlixBus.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA and arrive in Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA
- First train typically departs at 03:50 AM and the last at 11:50 PM
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CAYou can travel by bus between San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $31 (€25). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, 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.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from San Diego, CA to Oakland, CA
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