4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$59
Average price
$76
Fastest journey
7 h 35 m
Average duration
9 h
Buses per day
8
Distance
559 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA will cost around $76 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $59.
Of the 8 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for Los Angeles, CA on Tue, May 26, 4 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 559 km distance in an average of 9 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 35 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 11 h 11 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.
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner10:35 PM11h11San Francisco, CA9:46 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$591One-way1 transfer- 4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner7:45 AM11h58San Francisco, CA7:43 PMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$591One-way1 transfer
FlixBus11:25 PM7h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:00 AMLos Angeles, Gayley / Strathmore, CA$661One-way0 transfers- FlixBus11:25 PM8h15San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:40 AMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$661One-way0 transfers
10:40 PM9h15San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 AMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$741One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:25 PM7h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:00 AMLos Angeles, Gayley / Strathmore, CA$661One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus11:25 PM8h15San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:40 AMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$661One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus7:30 AM8h45San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA4:15 PMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$1071One-way0 transfers
- 10:40 PM9h15San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 AMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$741One-way0 transfers
- 4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner10:35 PM11h11San Francisco, CA9:46 AMUnion Station, Los Angeles, CA$591One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 35m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, and a flight costs an average of $127.
Distance: 347 miles (559 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$70 Average price Cheapest | $97 Average price | $200 Average price | $79 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 10m Average total duration 9h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration Fastest 3h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.6 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.7 - 3.4kg 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 Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $97 (€78).
A bus is $130 (€105) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $200 (€161).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 20m.
Train takes on average 9h 40m.
Tickets start at around $70 (€57) compared to roughly $79 (€64) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $9 (€7). The journey takes 6h 20m versus 5h 40m 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 FlixBus, 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.
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 07:55PM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 07:43PM | Duration 11h58 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 09:46PM | Duration 11h36 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 09:46AM | Duration 11h11 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $58 |
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · | 6:30 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 13h25 | 7:55 PM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 1 transfer | |
| FlixBus | 7:30 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 8h45 | 4:15 PM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 4794 AMTRAK · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 10:10 AM San Francisco, CA | 11h36 | 9:46 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
| FlixBus | 11:15 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 8h35 | 7:50 PM Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 12:40 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 9h30 | 10:10 PM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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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Why should you book San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA run on average 20 times per day, taking around 6h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) if you book in advance.
There are 7 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 347 miles (559 km) distance in 7h 35m.
Distance 347 miles (559 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€40) |
Buses per day 20 |
Direct buses 7 |
Fastest bus 7h 35m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 14 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CAYou can travel by bus between San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $49 (€40). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
There are nine buses per day running down through California from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The fastest bus completes the journey in about 8h 50min, while the slowest options arrive after about 16h 45min. The providers on this route are Amtrak, Greyhound, and FlixBus. When departing from San Francisco, the departure station is Transbay Transit Center in Salesforce Plaza at the intersection of Mission Street and Fremont Street. Arrival stations in Los Angeles are Union Station and Los Angeles Bus Station at the intersection of East 7th Street and Decatur Street.
San Francisco to Los Angeles Bus Time: Daily Departures
There are nine total options per day to travel via bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The first bus departs at around 8:45 a.m. from the San Francisco Transit Center, arriving at Los Angeles Bus Station at the intersection of East 7th Street and Decatur Street around 5:30 p.m. This journey lasts about 8h 50min and is operated by Greyhound Lines. The final bus of the day departs around 10:30 p.m. from Transbay Transit Center in Salesforce Plaza at the intersection of Mission Street and Fremont Street. It arrives at Union Station in Los Angeles after about 11h at approximately 9:30 a.m. on the following day, and is operated by Amtrak. Greyhound operates five of the buses per day, with Amtrak and FlixBus each operating two buses per day.
How long is the journey by bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
The total duration of your journey will depend on the departure time and bus operator that you select. The fastest bus departs around 9:30 p.m. and completes the journey in about 8h 45min. It leaves from Transbay Transit Center and is operated by Greyhound Lines. There is no change required for this bus, though others on this route require one or two changes. The second-fastest bus of the day is also operated by Greyhound, departing from San Francisco Transit Center around 4:15 p.m. and arriving about 1:00 a.m. after 8h 50min.
San Francisco Lights. Source: Shutterstock
What is/are the departure and arrival stations for buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
Departure bus station: The departure station for buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles is Transbay Transit Center in Salesforce Plaza at the intersection of Mission Street and Fremont Street. It connects with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) lines and Muni Metro, so you can access the station from throughout the Bay Area and avoid leaving a vehicle at the station. The station features a five acre rooftop park the length of four blocks, numerous pieces of public artwork, nearly 300 digital displays to support travelers finding their way, self-service kiosks and ticketing counters, a rotating array of food trucks, pop-up retail shops, carts and cafes, shopping and dining options, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and bike lockers.
Arrival bus station:The arrival station for buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles is Union Station, located on Alameda Street in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. It is the largest passenger terminal in the Western United States, serving almost 110,000 travelers each day. It connects with Amtrak routes, Metrolink, Metro Rail, Metro Busway, and other private bus companies. The station features granite seating sculptures, glass mosaics, decorative murals, and wall-mounted electronic art.
Which bus companies travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
There are three companies operating buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles - Greyhound Lines, Amtrak, and FlixBus. Greyhound operates five of the nine buses per day, with Amtrak and FlixBus each operating two buses per day.
Greyhound buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Greyhound Lines operates five buses per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The first departs at around 8:45 a.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at about 5:35 p.m. after 8h 50min. The final Greyhound bus of the day leaves from San Francisco around 9:30 p.m. and arrives in L.A. at about 6:15 a.m. after a 8h 45min journey.
Amtrak buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Amtrak operates two buses per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The first departs at around 10:20 a.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at about 9:50 p.m. after 11h 30min. The final Amtrak bus of the day leaves from San Francisco around 10:30 p.m. and arrives in L.A. at about 9:35 a.m. after a 11h 5min journey.
Flixbus buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles
Flixbus operates two buses per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The first departs at around 9:55 p.m. and arrives in Los Angeles at about 5:00 a.m. after 16h 5min on the following day. The final Flixbus bus of the day leaves from San Francisco around 9:55 p.m. and arrives in L.A. at about 5:40 a.m. after a 16h 5min journey.
San Francisco Troley. Source: Shutterstock
Bus San Francisco to Los Angeles: Services on Board
All travelers on a Greyhound, Amtrak, or Flixbus bus can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and charging outlets o their seats to keep devices powered through the journey. There are restrooms available on every bus, plus storage space over seats or beneath the bus for luggage. Each passenger can bring three pieces of luggage that are stored under the bus, usuall larger or heavier items, plus an additional piece of luggage that can be stored in overhead storage, generally the smaller and lighter items.
Oversized items - bikes, skis, golf clubs, etc. - are permitted, but require an additional fee to store under the bus. However, strollers and car seats do not require the payment of an additional fee. Each of these companies provide support for travelers with disabilities, which should be arranged in advance by contacting the provider after purchasing your tickets. Pets are not allowed on board except documented guide dogs.
How to find cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
When you are looking for bus tickets to get from San Francisco, Omio is the best tool you can use to find cheap tickets that match your schedule. Using the Omio search tools and filters, you can sort your search results according to provider, departure and arrival stations, price range, and plenty of other ways to customize your search. You can even sort the results according to cheapest, fastest, or a combination of both. When you find a great deal, consider booking in advance to ensure the price does not increase.
Omio also offers the ability to search a range of dates simultaneously, so consider being flexible with your travel dates. The slower buses are generally less expensive, so consider choosing buses that have a longer duration of travel along with changes in the middle of the journey.
To Los Angeles by bus—travel tips
Considering a journey to Los Angeles, and looking for something that will push you over the edge? The City of Stars earned a variety of nicknames for a reason, from LaLa Land to Tinseltown. One of the allures of this major city is the possibility of walking down the street and rubbing shoulders with celebrities or famous athletes. To really increase your odds, catch a Lakers game at Staples Center to see Lebron James and Anthony Davis, or visit Dodgers Stadium for a baseball game and see the 2020 World Series Champions.
If you are looking for a way to keep the kids happy, look no further than the Happiest Place on Earth - Disneyland. From Space Mountain to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this theme park is sure to have something that your entire family will love. You simply cannot go wrong with a visit to L.A.
FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Griffith Observatory, an iconic facility offering stunning views of Los Angeles and exhibits on astronomy
- The Getty Center, a renowned art museum with impressive architecture and beautiful gardens
- Santa Monica Pier, a historic landmark featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and scenic ocean views
- Hollywood Walk of Fame, a famous sidewalk celebrating entertainment industry icons with star plaques
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the largest art museum in the western United States with diverse collections.
- Explore the vibrant Venice Beach Boardwalk, known for its eclectic shops, street performers, and skate park
- Visit the historic El Capitan Theatre for a classic movie experience
- Take a scenic hike in Runyon Canyon Park, offering panoramic views of the city
- Enjoy a live performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, known for its stunning architecture and acoustics
- Discover the unique exhibits at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- 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
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections to Los Angeles, CA
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