- Must visit
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Major modern and contemporary art museum with an internationally important collection and a striking SoMa building.
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$114
Fastest journey
11 h 40 m
Average duration
12 h 56 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
738 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Diego, CA 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 San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA will cost around $114 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 6 buses that leave San Diego, CA for San Francisco, CA on Tue, May 26, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 738 km distance in an average of 12 h 56 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 40 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 13 h 44 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.
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK · 6647 AMTRAK
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK


5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAKOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 42m. 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 $69, and a flight costs an average of $54.
Distance: 458 miles (738 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$90 Average price Cheapest | $91 Average price | $272 Average price | $118 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
12h 45m Average total duration 12h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 56m Average total duration 13h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 42m Average total duration Fastest 2h 42m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.7 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.2 - 4.4kg 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 San Francisco, CA:
A bus is $0.72 (€0.58) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $91 (€73).
A bus is $181 (€146) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $272 (€219).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 15m.
Train takes on average 13h 26m.
Tickets start at around $90 (€73) compared to roughly $118 (€95) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $28 (€22). The journey takes 12h 15m versus 7h 49m 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, FlixBus.
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 04:01AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 15h14 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $94 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 16h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 15h45 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $136 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $103 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:05AM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 15h00 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $122 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:01AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 13h39 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:01PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 13h44 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 12h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 12h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $105 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 11h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 07:10AM | Duration 11h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $103 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $113 |
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 12h15 | 7:15 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:35 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 11h40 | 7:15 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 0 transfersDirect | |
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK | 10:10 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 13h20 | 11:30 AM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK · 6647 AMTRAK | 4:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 15h14 | 7:15 PM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 8:01 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 13h39 | 9:40 PM San Francisco, CA | 1 transfer | |
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 San Francisco, CA run on average 21 times per day, taking around 12h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $69 (€56) but you can travel from only $54 (€44) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 458 miles (738 km) distance in 11h 40m.
Distance 458 miles (738 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $69 (€56) |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 11h 40m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
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 internationally important collection and a striking SoMa building.
Hands-on science and perception museum on the Embarcadero, especially popular for interactive exhibits and bay views.
Large natural history and science museum with aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest dome in Golden Gate Park.
Expansive urban park with gardens, lakes, museums, trails, and some of the city's best walking and cycling space.
One of North America's oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns, packed with temples, gates, markets, and side streets.
Dramatic coastal walking area with cliffs, cypress-lined trails, Golden Gate views, and Sutro Baths ruins nearby.
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian immigrant fishermen in San Francisco. It typically includes crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fish, and is one of the city’s signature dishes.
San Francisco is famous for its tangy sourdough, shaped by local wild yeast cultures. It is a historic staple often served as a loaf, toast, or bread bowl.
A large foil-wrapped burrito associated with the Mission District, packed with rice, beans, meat or other fillings, salsa, and extras. It is one of the city’s most influential casual foods.
A Mission District institution celebrated for outstanding Mission-style burritos and tacos. Lively, casual, and widely regarded as one of the city’s essential eats.
A legendary seafood counter famous for ultra-fresh oysters, crab, and seafood cocktails. Casual, iconic, and one of the city’s best-known classic stops.
A popular restaurant serving Asian fusion dishes with bold flavors in a cozy setting. Well known for garlic noodles and seafood-focused plates.
San Francisco is one of the priciest U.S. cities. Hotels, dining, and parking are costly, though casual food options exist.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Not expected at fast food.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA 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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