- Recommended
Patrick Ranch Museum
Local history museum in Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park with exhibits on John and Annie Bidwell and early Chico life.
Cheapest price on Sep 26
€40
Average ticket price on Sep 26
€54
Fastest journey on Sep 26
4 h 52 m
Average journey duration on Sep 26
5 h 26 m
Buses on Sep 26
4
Distance
223 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA will cost around €54 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €40.
On Sat, Sep 26, we found 4 buses from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA, including 4 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 26 the direct buses cover the 223 km distance in an average of 5 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 52 m .
On Sat, Sep 26 the slowest buses will take 6 h 30 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 bus as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €40 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 26m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €40, while a bus costs an average of €73.
Distance: 138 miles (223 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€73 Average price | €40 Average price Cheapest | €34 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 45m Average total duration 4h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 3h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA:
A train is €33 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA costing on average €73.
Other travel options to Chico, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 15m.
Tickets start at around €73 compared to roughly €34 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-39.27. The journey takes 4h 15m versus 2h 43m 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.
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 Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €37 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:08AM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 4h52 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €38 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:25PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €49 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €46 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €46 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:25PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri | Cheapest price €45 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price €56 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €47 |
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA buses for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:30 PM San Francisco, CA | 4h45 | 6:15 PM Chico, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:25 PM San Francisco, CA | 5h25 | 10:50 PM Chico, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, September 20 | |||||
![]() | 12:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 6h30 | 6:30 AM Chico, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus 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.
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €38 but you can travel from only €29 by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:12, the last at 20:50. The fastest bus covers the 138 miles (223 km) distance in 3h 40m.
Distance 138 miles (223 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price €38 |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 3h 40m |
First bus 4:12 AM |
Last bus 8:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Chico, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chico, CA trip today.
Local history museum in Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park with exhibits on John and Annie Bidwell and early Chico life.
University art museum presenting rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art in a compact, easy-to-visit campus setting.
Museum with regional artifacts and cultural exhibits that introduce the archaeology and Native histories of Northern California.
Large city park with trails, creeks, picnic areas, and swimming spots; a signature Chico outing for walking and relaxing outdoors.
Historic downtown district with shops, murals, and restored buildings; ideal for strolling, browsing, and seeing Chico's urban character.
Shady plaza in the heart of downtown, popular for relaxing and people-watching near civic buildings, shops, and seasonal events.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Chico, 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 Chico, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Francisco, CA to Chico, CA buses use the San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 to Chico, Orange St (Bus Station) station pair. Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and Chico, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 is 2 km from San Francisco city centre. Public transport options include:
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29. ATMs are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Ticket office support is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Wheelchair accessible areas present.
Chico, Orange St (Bus Station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Chico, Orange St (Bus Station). ATMs are available at Chico, Orange St (Bus Station).
Ticket office support is available at Chico, Orange St (Bus Station).
Available at Chico, Orange St (Bus Station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chico, Orange St (Bus Station): Basic accessibility features present.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need