- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.




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Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$117
Fastest journey
13h 15m
Average duration
16h 24m
Buses per day
10
Distance
205 km
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 bus with prices starting from $59. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 4m. 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 $59, and a flight costs an average of $53.
Distance: 458 miles (738 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$90 Average price Cheapest | $95 Average price | $266 Average price | $101 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 20m Average total duration 12h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 18m Average total duration 12h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 33m 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 Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $5 (€4) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $95 (€78).
A bus is $176 (€145) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $266 (€219).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 48m.
Bus takes on average 12h 50m.
Tickets start at around $90 (€74) compared to roughly $101 (€83) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $11 (€9). The journey takes 12h 50m versus 7h 33m 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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 17h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $87 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 15h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 11:07PM | Duration 15h22 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 14h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $130 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 26h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 13h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $126 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 01:07PM | Duration 14h32 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $74 |
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. 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 | 17h20 | 11:50 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
· | 6:30 AM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 17h55 | 12:25 AM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 15h35 | 10:45 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 15h05 | 10:15 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+![]() | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 16h40 | 11:50 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 7:45 AM San Francisco, CA | 15h22 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
· + FlixBus | 4:00 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 24h25 | 4:25 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 10:30 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 13h15 | 11:45 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:30 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 13h50 | 12:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 0 transfersDirect | |
4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific Surfliner | 10:35 PM San Francisco, CA | 14h32 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, 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 Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 21 times per day, taking around 12h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $59 (€49) but you can travel from only $53 (€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 13h 5m.
Distance 458 miles (738 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $59 (€49) |
Buses per day 21 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 13h 5m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 4 days |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
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.

Most San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA buses use the San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 to San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center. Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and San Diego, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need