- Must visit
California State Railroad Museum
Major museum in Old Sacramento with restored locomotives, railcars, and exhibits on railroad history in California and the American West.
Cheapest price
$79
Average price
$115
Fastest journey
12 h 10 m
Average duration
15 h 7 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
761 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA will cost around $115 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $79.
Of the 3 buses that leave San Diego, CA for Sacramento, 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 761 km distance in an average of 15 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 10 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 19 h 46 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 San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $65. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 11m. 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 $65, and a flight costs an average of $82.
Distance: 472 miles (761 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$108 Average price Cheapest | $123 Average price | $283 Average price | $111 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 20m Average total duration 12h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 56m Average total duration 13h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 11m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.8 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.3 - 4.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA:
A bus is $15 (€12) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $123 (€99).
A bus is $175 (€141) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $283 (€228).
Other travel options to Sacramento, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 50m.
Train takes on average 13h 26m.
Tickets start at around $108 (€87) compared to roughly $111 (€90) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $3 (€3). The journey takes 12h 50m versus 7h 57m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 12h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $96 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:10AM | Arrival Time 01:56AM | Duration 19h46 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $94 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 13h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $96 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:05AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 13h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 17h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 17h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $103 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 14h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:01PM | Arrival Time 10:12AM | Duration 18h11 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $119 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:25PM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 17h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $198 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 09:30AM | Duration 14h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $125 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 14h35 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $135 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 19h50 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 05:56PM | Duration 19h46 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:01PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 16h29 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $111 |
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Sacramento, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:10 AM San Diego, CA | 12h10 | 5:20 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:10 AM San Diego, CA | 12h10 | 6:20 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:00 PM San Diego, CA | 14h10 | 3:10 AM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:45 PM San Diego, CA | 13h25 | 3:10 AM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:45 PM San Diego, CA | 13h25 | 4:10 AM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:10 PM San Diego, CA | 19h50 | 4:00 PM Sacramento, 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 San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA run on average 20 times per day, taking around 12h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $65 (€52) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 472 miles (761 km) distance in 11h 10m.
Distance 472 miles (761 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $65 (€52) |
Buses per day 20 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 11h 10m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Sacramento — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sacramento trip today.
Major museum in Old Sacramento with restored locomotives, railcars, and exhibits on railroad history in California and the American West.
Premier art museum with California art, European works, ceramics, and rotating exhibitions in a historic mansion and modern expansion.
Museum inside the restored State Capitol featuring historic rooms, political history exhibits, and access to the landmark government building.
Historic district with wooden sidewalks, Gold Rush-era buildings, river views, museums, and one of the city’s most visited walking areas.
Tree-filled park surrounding the State Capitol, popular for walks, memorials, gardens, and easy downtown sightseeing.
Lively central neighborhood known for murals, boutiques, nightlife, and walkable streets that are popular with locals and visitors.
Sacramento is known as America’s Farm-To-Fork Capital, and many local menus highlight peak-season produce, local meats, and regional ingredients from the Central Valley.
The Sacramento region has deep ties to Delta asparagus farming. Grilled, roasted, or served in salads, it is a classic seasonal local ingredient.
A tomato-based seafood stew popular across Northern California and commonly found in Sacramento restaurants, reflecting the city’s ties to coastal and river trade.
A celebrated Sacramento fine-dining institution known for an interactive tasting menu, polished service, and a special-occasion atmosphere.
A long-established farm-to-table restaurant in Midtown, praised for seasonal menus, local sourcing, and a warm upscale setting.
A well-known local favorite for casual California cooking, salads, sandwiches, and prepared foods with strong local appeal.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Casual dining and coffee are reasonable, but hotels and upscale dining can be pricey in peak periods.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis or add 10-15%, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5 as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, 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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