4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$126
Fastest journey
11 h 40 m
Average duration
12 h 55 m
Buses per day
13
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 $126 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 13 buses that leave San Diego, CA for San Francisco, CA on Sun, Jan 11, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jan 11 the direct buses cover the 738 km distance in an average of 12 h 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 40 m .
On Sun, Jan 11 the slowest buses will take 14 h 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.
3365 AMTRAK · 765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK3369 AMTRAK · 769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK3385 AMTRAK · 785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK
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FlixBus5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK+FlixBus5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK3365 AMTRAK · 765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Omio 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 train with prices starting from €70. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 32m. 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 train costs an average of €70, and a flight costs an average of €51.
Distance: 458 miles (738 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€82 Average price | €73 Average price Cheapest | €172 Average price |
12h 43m Average total duration 12h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 56m Average total duration 13h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m 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 San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $162 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:01AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 13h29 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $99 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 14h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:01AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 13h39 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 08:05AM | Duration 22h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $85 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 19h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 14h45 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:25PM | Arrival Time 11:55AM | Duration 20h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $205 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 11:55AM | Duration 20h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:01PM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 13h44 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 12h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 11h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $113 |
Live departures
San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Saturday, January 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +FlixBus | 2:00 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 14h05 | 4:05 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 1 transfer | |
| +FlixBus | 2:45 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 13h20 | 4:05 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 1 transfer | |
| 3369 AMTRAK · 769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK | 3:30 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 14h10 | 5:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus · FlixBus+ | 7:55 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 19h20 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 2 transfers | |
| 3385 AMTRAK · 785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK | 11:00 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 14h45 | 1:45 PM San Francisco, CA | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus++FlixBus | 11:25 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 20h30 | 7:55 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus++FlixBus | 11:55 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 20h00 | 7:55 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus+ | 11:55 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 15h20 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, January 11 | |||||
| 3:00 AM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 12h15 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 3:35 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 11h40 | 3:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
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Jan 16
Jan 17
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 23 times per day, taking around 12h 13m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€39) if you book in advance.
There are 3 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 12h 50m.
Distance 458 miles (738 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€39) |
Buses per day 23 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 12h 50m |
First bus 03:50 |
Last bus 23:25 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $49 (€39). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
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.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from San Francisco, CA and San Diego, CA
Most popular bus connections to San Francisco, CA
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