The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Cheapest price
$91
Average price
$129
Fastest journey
7 h 35 m
Average duration
9 h 25 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
547 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA will cost around $129 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $91.
Of the 5 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for Santa Monica, CA on Fri, Apr 03, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Apr 03 the direct buses cover the 547 km distance in an average of 9 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 35 m .
On Fri, Apr 03 the slowest buses will take 13 h 25 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.
FlixBus11:15 AM8h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:50 PMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$911One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:25 PM7h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:00 AMLos Angeles, Gayley / Strathmore, CA$1271One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:25 PM8h15San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:40 AMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$1271One-way0 transfers
undefined · undefined6:30 AM13h25San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 PMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$1441One-way1 transfer
10:40 PM9h15San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 AMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$1571One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:25 PM7h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:00 AMLos Angeles, Gayley / Strathmore, CA$1271One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:25 PM8h15San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:40 AMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$1271One-way0 transfers
FlixBus11:15 AM8h35San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA7:50 PMLos Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA$911One-way0 transfers
10:40 PM9h15San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 AMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$1571One-way0 transfers
undefined · undefined6:30 AM13h25San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 297:55 PMLos Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA$1441One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $77. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 31m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $77, and a flight costs an average of $74.
Distance: 339 miles (547 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Train |
|---|---|---|
$94 Average price | $162 Average price | $90 Average price Cheapest |
7h 45m Average total duration 7h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 31m Average total duration Fastest 1h 31m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 49m Average total duration 10h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 07:55PM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $144 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $157 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $127 |
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA buses for today, Thursday, April 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 9h15 | 3:55 PM Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
Apr 03
Apr 04
Apr 05
Apr 06
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Apr 08
Apr 09
Why should you book San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, 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 bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA run on average 15 times per day, taking around 7h 15m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $44 (€35) if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 339 miles (547 km) distance in 9h 15m.
Distance 339 miles (547 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 15m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€35) |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 9h 15m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CAYou can travel by bus between San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA with FlixBus for as low as $44 (€35). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Santa Monica Pier, an iconic landmark featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean
- Third Street Promenade, a bustling pedestrian street known for shopping, dining, and street performances
- Santa Monica State Beach, a popular beach offering sunbathing, swimming, and beach volleyball
- Palisades Park, a picturesque park with walking paths, ocean views, and public art installations
- Tongva Park, a modern urban park with unique landscaping, play areas, and art installations.
- Pacific Park, a family-friendly amusement park located on the Santa Monica Pier with rides and games
- Santa Monica Farmers Market, a vibrant market offering fresh produce, local goods, and live music
- Heal the Bay Aquarium, an educational marine center located under the Santa Monica Pier
- Bike along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a scenic coastal path perfect for cycling enthusiasts
- Enjoy a sunset yoga session on Santa Monica Beach, offering a serene experience with ocean views.
- 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 Santa Monica, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
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