- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$118
Average price
$153
Fastest journey
10 h 30 m
Average duration
11 h 37 m
Buses per day
13
Distance
671 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $153 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $118.
Of the 13 buses that leave San Jose, CA for San Diego, CA on Fri, Jul 31, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 671 km distance in an average of 11 h 37 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 30 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 13 h 7 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.
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4770 AMTRAK · 770 Pacific SurflinerOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $75.
Distance: 416 miles (671 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$115 Average price Cheapest | $285 Average price | $131 Average price | $93 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 19m Average total duration 10h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 13h 44m Average total duration 13h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.7 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions | 2.0 - 4.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $16 (€13) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $131 (€107).
A bus is $170 (€140) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $285 (€234).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 49m.
Train takes on average 13h 14m.
You'll arrive about -4h -47m sooner (10h 49m by bus vs 7h 2m by car) and save roughly $-22.35 (€-18.32) compared to fuel and tolls ($115 (€94) vs $93 (€76)). 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 Greyhound, FlixBus, Infobus.
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 12:35AM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 11h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 07:07PM | Duration 13h32 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $169 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 18h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator Tufesa Internacional | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:17AM | Arrival Time 11:07PM | Duration 14h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $175 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 10:51PM | Duration 13h36 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $169 |
Operator Tufesa Internacional | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 03:30AM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 01:07PM | Duration 13h22 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $169 |
The table below shows live departures for San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:35 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 11h45 | 12:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:35 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 11h10 | 11:45 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:35 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 13h32 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4782 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner | 5:35 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 13h17 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
0 | 5:00 PM San Jose, CA | 10h30 | 3:30 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:15 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 14h30 | 10:45 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:15 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 14h00 | 10:15 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+![]() | 8:15 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 15h35 | 11:50 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
523 Capitol Corridor · 4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 8:17 AM Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA | 14h50 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 2 transfers | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:15 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 13h52 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
4790 AMTRAK · 790 Pacific Surfliner | 9:15 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 13h36 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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 Jose, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 17 times per day, taking around 10h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€34) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 416 miles (671 km) distance in 10h 50m.
Distance 416 miles (671 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€34) |
Buses per day 17 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 10h 50m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Jose, CA to San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA buses use the San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) to San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park) station pair, with some services arriving at San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center. Use this guide to compare San Jose, CA and San Diego, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need