- Must visit
North Carolina Museum of Art
Premier art museum with global collections, major exhibitions, and a large sculpture park that makes it a top cultural stop.
Cheapest price on Aug 30
$233
Average ticket price on Aug 30
$248
Fastest journey on Aug 30
2 d 20 h
Average journey duration on Aug 30
3 d 2 h 23 m
Buses on Aug 30
3
Distance
3870 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC will cost around $248 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $233.
On Sun, Aug 30, we found 3 buses from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC, including 3 direct services.
On Sun, Aug 30 the direct buses cover the 3870 km distance in an average of 3 d 2 h 23 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 20 h .
On Sun, Aug 30 the slowest buses will take 3 d 12 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.






Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $161 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 10h 58m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $161, while a train costs an average of $705.
Distance: 2404 miles (3870 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$161 Average price Cheapest | $244 Average price | $705 Average price | $584 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
74h 10m Average total duration 73h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 58m Average total duration Fastest 8h 58m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 82h 6m Average total duration 81h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 41h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC:
A bus is $83 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC costing on average $244.
A bus is $543 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC costing on average $705.
Other travel options to Raleigh, NC take longer:
Bus takes on average 73h 40m.
Train takes on average 81h 36m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 73h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $246 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 72h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $339 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 70h30 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $233 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 08:20AM | Arrival Time 12:47PM | Duration 76h27 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $820 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 68h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $254 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 76h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $456 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 70h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $233 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 68h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $277 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 12:30AM | Duration 71h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $334 |
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC buses for today, Friday, August 28. 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 | 72h15 | 9:45 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5 transfers | |
· · · | 1:10 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 68h20 | 12:30 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5 transfers | |
· · · | 1:10 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 71h00 | 3:10 PM Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon), NC | 5 transfers | |
· · · | 10:30 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 71h00 | 12:30 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 3 transfers | |
| Saturday, August 29 | |||||
![]() | 6:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 84h30 | 7:10 PM Raleigh, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Raleigh, NC run on average 7 times per day, taking around 73h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $138 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:30, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 2404 miles (3870 km) distance in 70h 30m.
Distance 2404 miles (3870 km) |
Average bus duration 73h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $138 |
Buses per day 7 |
Fastest bus 70h 30m |
First bus 6:30 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Raleigh, NC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Raleigh, NC trip today.
Premier art museum with global collections, major exhibitions, and a large sculpture park that makes it a top cultural stop.
One of the Southeast's best natural history museums, featuring dinosaurs, research labs, and family-friendly exhibits across two buildings.
Interactive museum covering North Carolina's military past with aircraft, artifacts, and stories spanning colonial times to today.
Lively warehouse district with murals, shops, event spaces, and nightlife. It is one of Raleigh's most popular modern walking areas.
Beloved city park with an antique carousel, train ride, and shaded paths. Ideal for families and a classic local outing.
Scenic art-and-nature trail linking museum grounds with outdoor sculptures, woods, and open fields for an easy cultural walk.
Eastern North Carolina chopped pork barbecue is smoked whole hog with a tangy vinegar-pepper sauce, a defining regional staple widely loved around Raleigh.
Barbecue hushpuppies are crisp fried cornmeal dumplings, a classic side with Carolina barbecue and seafood across the Raleigh area.
Fried green tomatoes are tart unripe tomato slices breaded and fried, a Southern favorite often served as an appetizer in Raleigh restaurants.
Long-running fine dining destination celebrated for upscale Southern cuisine, garden herbs, and a romantic historic setting.
Popular casual spot for biscuits, Southern breakfast plates, and local comfort food with a lively neighborhood feel.
Beloved local brewpub offering house beers and hearty pub food, reflecting Raleigh's strong craft beer culture.
Moderate for a U.S. city: hotels and dining are usually lower than NYC or DC, but car, rideshare, and limited transit can raise visitor costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 per drink or coffee in cafes if service is provided.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Francisco, CA to Raleigh, NC buses use the San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 to Raleigh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon). Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and Raleigh, NC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 is 2 km from San Francisco city centre. Public transport options include:
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29. ATMs are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Ticket office support is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Wheelchair accessible areas present.
Raleigh, Bus Station is 4 km from Raleigh city centre. Public transport options include:
Raleigh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Raleigh, Bus Station. ATMs are available at Raleigh, Bus Station.
Ticket office support is available at Raleigh, Bus Station.
Available at Raleigh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Raleigh, Bus Station: Station is accessible via ramps.
Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon) is 6 km from Raleigh city centre. Public transport options include:
Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon). ATMs are available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon).
Ticket office support is available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon).
Available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon): Station is accessible for passengers with disabilities.
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