4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Cheapest price
$70
Average price
$95
Fastest journey
7 h 35 m
Average duration
11 h 33 m
Buses per day
2
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 $95 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $70.
Of the 2 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for Santa Monica, CA on Tue, May 19, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 19 the direct buses cover the 547 km distance in an average of 11 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 35 m .
On Tue, May 19 the slowest buses will take 15 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.
6:25 AM7h35San Francisco, CA2:00 PMSanta Monica, CA$701One-way0 transfers
12:00 AM15h30San Francisco, CA3:30 PMSanta Monica, CA$1211One-way0 transfers
- 6:25 AM7h35San Francisco, CA2:00 PMSanta Monica, CA$701One-way0 transfers
- 12:00 AM15h30San Francisco, CA3:30 PMSanta Monica, CA$1211One-way0 transfers
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 33m. 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 | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$95 Average price | $205 Average price | $95 Average price Cheapest | $78 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 58m Average total duration 7h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 7m Average total duration 10h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m 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 Santa Monica, CA:
A train is $0.12 (€0.10) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA costing on average $95 (€77).
A train is $111 (€89) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA costing on average $205 (€166).
Other travel options to Santa Monica, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 28m.
Train takes on average 10h 37m.
You'll arrive about -2h -51m sooner (7h 28m by bus vs 5h 37m by car) and save roughly $-16.32 (€-13.18) compared to fuel and tolls ($95 (€77) vs $78 (€63)). 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 Santa Monica, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 15h30 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:40AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 07:55PM | Duration 13h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:40AM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $136 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $102 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 15h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $93 |
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 tomorrow, Monday, May 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 15h30 | 3:30 PM Santa Monica, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 6:25 AM San Francisco, CA | 7h35 | 2:00 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.
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
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May 23
May 24
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
USAUSA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Santa Monica, CA run on average 12 times per day, taking around 7h 28m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€39) if you book in advance.
There are 6 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 7h 35m.
Distance 339 miles (547 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€39) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 7h 35m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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 $49 (€39). 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
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Santa Monica, CA and San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections to Santa Monica, CA
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