San Francisco › San Luis Obispo
Sun, Jul 12, 1 adult
Sun, Jul 12
+ Add return
Sun, Jul 12
+ Add return
Cheapest, Fastest
Amtrak
+
09:08AM6h42m03:50PM
Emeryville station
San Luis Obispo Station
$1121•One-way
Cheapest, 2nd Fastest
Amtrak
+
11:35AM7h25m07:00PM
Emeryville station
San Luis Obispo Station
$1121•One-way

The cheapest and fastest busesfrom San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CAShowing times and prices for Jul 11

Cheapest price

$112

Average price

$112

Fastest journey

6h 42m

Average duration

7h 4m

Buses per day

2

Distance

66 km

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Prices include taxes and may change depending on availability. Any additional fees can be reviewed before payment. The total price will be finalized once the purchase is completed.

San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA bus with FlixBus

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 55m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, and a flight costs an average of $185.

Distance: 198 miles (319 km)

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Flight
Driving

$70

Average price

Cheapest

$72

Average price

$422

Average price

$47

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 42m

Average total duration

5h 12m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 14m

Average total duration

6h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 55m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 55m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

3h 29m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is a bus with an average price of $70 (€58).

This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:

A bus is $2 (€1) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $72 (€59).

A bus is $351 (€289) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $422 (€347).

The fastest way to travel from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 55m.

Other travel options to San Luis Obispo, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 12m.

Train takes on average 6h 44m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between San Francisco, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA including taking a train, bus, and flight.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA among Omio's users.
Take the bus. On this route, it's both cheaper and quicker than driving.

You'll arrive about -2h -43m sooner (5h 12m by bus vs 3h 29m by car) and save roughly $-22.70 (€-18.67) compared to fuel and tolls ($70 (€58) vs $47 (€39)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.

Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus.

Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.

San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
07:30AM
Arrival Time
12:00PM
Duration
4h30
Departure days
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$55
Operator
Amtrak
Departure Time
09:08AM
Arrival Time
03:50PM
Duration
6h42
Departure days
Sat, Sun
Cheapest price
$112
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
11:15AM
Arrival Time
03:35PM
Duration
4h20
Departure days
Fri
Cheapest price
$46
Operator
Amtrak
Departure Time
11:35AM
Arrival Time
07:00PM
Duration
7h25
Departure days
Sat, Sun
Cheapest price
$112

Live departures

San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA bus times

The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Amtrak727 Capitol Corridor · 4794 AMTRAK9:08 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
6h42
3:50 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1 transfer
Amtrak733 Capitol Corridor · 6287 AMTRAK11:35 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA
7h25
7:00 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA1 transfer

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 Luis Obispo, 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.

Sun
Jul 12
Mon
Jul 13
Tue
Jul 14
Wed
Jul 15
Thu
Jul 16
Fri
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18

Why should you book San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses with Omio?

FlixBus operates all buses services from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • 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 San Luis Obispo, CA.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • 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 San Luis Obispo, CA.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

USAUSA
USAUSA
Icon of bus

Buses from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 5h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $37 (€30) if you book in advance.

There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:10, the last at 16:10. The fastest bus covers the 198 miles (319 km) distance in 4h 20m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
198 miles (319 km)
Average bus duration
5h 12m
Cheapest ticket price
$37 (€30)
Buses per day
3
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
4h 20m
First bus
6:10 AM
Last bus
4:10 PM
Cheapest Month
Sep
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Jul - Sep
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
1 day
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CAYou can travel by bus between San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with FlixBus for as low as $37 (€30). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 20m
Cheapest Price
$37 (€30)
FlixBus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.
Learn more about FlixBus

FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA can start from as little as $37 (€30) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is $70 (€58) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is 4h 20m to travel the 198 miles (319 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA leaves at 6:10 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA leaves at 4:10 PM.
Yes, there are 1 direct buses a day from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA, you can count on FlixBus for the best way to get you to San Luis Obispo, CA. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between San Francisco, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to San Luis Obispo, CA from San Francisco, CA is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 20m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between San Francisco, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA including taking a train, bus, and flight.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA for bus company FlixBus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in San Luis Obispo, CA are:
  • Bubblegum Alley, a narrow alleyway famous for its walls covered in layers of chewed gum left by visitors
  • Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, a historic Spanish mission founded in 1772 with a museum and beautiful gardens
  • Bishop Peak, a popular hiking destination offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes
  • San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum showcasing works by regional and national artists
  • Avila Beach, a nearby coastal spot known for its sandy shores and scenic pier.
The best things to do in San Luis Obispo, CA include:
  • Stroll through Downtown SLO, a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, and the famous Thursday Night Farmers' Market
  • Attend a performance at the Fremont Theater, a historic venue known for its art deco architecture and live events
  • Visit the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, offering interactive exhibits and activities for kids
  • Explore the local wineries and vineyards, enjoying tastings and tours in the Edna Valley wine region
  • Discover the natural beauty of Montana de Oro State Park, with its rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, and scenic hiking trails.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA depends on the bus companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.
Since neither San Francisco, CA nor San Luis Obispo, CA are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United States and United States. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United States is the US Dollar (USD). For travelers, using cards is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially credit and debit cards, while cash is useful for small purchases or places that do not accept cards.
In San Luis Obispo, CA, travelers should be cautious of petty theft, especially in crowded areas and parking lots. Common scams include overcharging by taxis and occasional fake charity solicitations. It is advisable to avoid leaving valuables visible in vehicles and to use reputable transportation services. Overall, the city is considered relatively safe, but staying alert to personal belongings and using common sense helps ensure a secure visit.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

Most San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses use the San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) station pair. Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in San Francisco
Arrival bus stations in San Luis Obispo
San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th StreetSan Francisco Bus Station,401 Townsend St,94107
City-centre transport

Getting to San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street from San Francisco city centre

BusEast, West · 20m · every ~4 min
Nbus, Nowl · 24m · $2 · every ~2 min
TramN · 23m · $2 · every ~11 min
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29
City-centre transport

Getting to San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 from San Francisco city centre

Bus397 · 8m · $2
14, 14R · 13m · $2 · every ~30 min
101, 120 · 14m · $6 · every ~9 min
7 · 21m · $2 · every ~10 min
SubwayYellow-N, Green-N, Red-N, Blue-N · 10m · $2 · every ~27 min

More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Return journeys for buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Trains from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Flights from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Tickets and more information for coaches to San Francisco, CA
Tickets and more information for coaches to San Luis Obispo, CA

Most popular buses to and from San Luis Obispo, CA and San Francisco, CA

Bus Los Angeles, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Las Vegas, NV - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus San Diego, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Sacramento, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Indianapolis, IN - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus San Jose, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Oklahoma City, OK - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Columbus, OH - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Kansas City, MO - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Reno, NV - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Oakland, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Bakersfield, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Fresno, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Anaheim, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Eugene, OR - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Burbank, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Wichita, KS - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Santa Barbara, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Fullerton, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Irvine, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Tacoma, WA - San Luis Obispo, CA
Bus Glendale, CA - San Luis Obispo, CA
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Bus San Francisco, CA - Chicago, IL
Bus San Francisco, CA - Washington, DC
Bus San Francisco, CA - Las Vegas, NV
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