The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$207
Fastest journey
13 h 5 m
Average duration
13 h 54 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
738 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA will cost around $207 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 9 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for San Diego, CA on Mon, Dec 01, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 01 the direct buses cover the 738 km distance in an average of 13 h 54 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 13 h 5 m .
On Mon, Dec 01 the slowest buses will take 14 h 32 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.
4784 AMTRAK · 784 Pacific Surfliner
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner
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FlixBus+
FlixBus+
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific SurflinerTravel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €64. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 2m. 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 €64, and a flight costs an average of €68.
Distance: 458 miles (738 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€98 Average price | €71 Average price Cheapest | €150 Average price |
13h 15m Average total duration 12h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 18m Average total duration 12h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 2m Average total duration Fastest 2h 2m 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 Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:15AM | Arrival Time 08:04PM | Duration 14h49 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 17h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 11:04PM | Duration 15h14 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:20AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 13h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 13h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $280 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 19h45 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $88 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 01:07PM | Duration 14h32 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 13h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $120 |
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA buses for tomorrow, Monday, December 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
undefined · undefined · undefined | 12:00 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 20h20 | 8:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 2 transfers | |
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 12:00 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 30h15 | 6:15 AM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 4 transfers | |
undefined · undefined · undefined | 12:00 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 19h45 | 7:45 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 2 transfers | |
undefined · undefined+ FlixBus | 12:00 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 22h10 | 10:10 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to San Diego, 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.
Dec 01
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Dec 06
Dec 07
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 30 times per day, taking around 12h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $68 (€55) 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 13h 10m.
Distance 458 miles (738 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $68 (€55) |
Buses per day 30 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 13h 10m |
First bus 03:50 |
Last bus 23:25 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CAYou can travel by bus between San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $68 (€55). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Balboa Park, a sprawling urban park with museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo
- USS Midway Museum, a historic naval aircraft carrier museum offering interactive exhibits and tours
- La Jolla Cove, a picturesque coastal area known for its stunning views and marine life
- Gaslamp Quarter, a lively historic district with Victorian architecture, dining, and entertainment options
- Coronado Beach, a beautiful sandy beach known for its gentle waves and iconic hotel.
- Explore the vibrant art scene at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- Enjoy a harbor cruise for stunning views of the skyline and naval ships
- Hike the scenic trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Visit the Birch Aquarium to learn about marine life and ocean conservation
- Experience the thrill of a whale watching tour off the coast.
- 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 Francisco, CA to San Diego, 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 Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA
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