4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Cheapest price
$61
Average price
$61
Fastest journey
4 h 30 m
Average duration
4 h 30 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
319 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA will cost around $61 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $61.
Of the 1 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for San Luis Obispo, CA on Wed, Aug 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 26 the direct buses cover the 319 km distance in an average of 4 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 30 m .
On Wed, Aug 26 the slowest buses will take 4 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.
FlixBus7:10 AM4h30San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA11:40 AMSan Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA$611One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus7:10 AM4h30San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA11:40 AMSan Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA$611One-way0 transfers
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 $35. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 25m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $35, and a flight costs an average of $116.
Distance: 198 miles (319 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$61 Average price Cheapest | $107 Average price | $845 Average price | $49 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 56m Average total duration 4h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 15m Average total duration 6h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 25m Average total duration Fastest 4h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
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 |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
A bus is $46 (€37) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $107 (€86).
A bus is $784 (€632) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $845 (€681).
Other travel options to San Luis Obispo, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 26m.
Train takes on average 6h 45m.
You'll arrive about -1h -57m sooner (4h 26m by bus vs 3h 29m by car) and save roughly $-11.55 (€-9.31) compared to fuel and tolls ($61 (€49) vs $49 (€40)). 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
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:03AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 4h57 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $135 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:06AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 6h19 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:08AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 6h42 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:35AM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:36PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 5h49 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $112 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:08PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 6h42 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:35PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $92 |
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, Tuesday, August 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 7:10 AM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 4h30 | 11:40 AM San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
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.
Aug 26
Aug 27
Aug 28
Aug 29
Aug 30
Aug 31
Sep 01
Why should you book San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses with Omio?
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
Buses from San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $35 (€28) 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.
Distance 198 miles (319 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $35 (€28) |
Buses per day 1 |
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 Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 $35 (€28). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
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.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- 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 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.
Getting to San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street from San Francisco city centre
Which San Luis Obispo, CA station do buses from San Francisco, CA arrive at?
Getting to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) from San Luis Obispo city centre
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) is 1 km from San Luis Obispo city centre. Public transport options include:
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) bus station facilities and services
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum). ATMs are available at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum).
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum): Basic accessibility features available.
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
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
Most popular buses to and from San Luis Obispo, CA and San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections to San Luis Obispo, CA
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
