4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Cheapest price
$57
Average price
$67
Fastest journey
3 h 20 m
Average duration
3 h 24 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
254 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Jose, 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 Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA will cost around $67 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $57.
Of the 4 buses that leave San Jose, CA for San Luis Obispo, CA on Tue, May 26, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 254 km distance in an average of 3 h 24 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 20 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 3 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.
4:25 PM3h25San Jose, CA7:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$571One-way0 transfers- 3:35 PM3h25San Jose, CA7:00 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$591One-way0 transfers
- 3:40 PM3h20San Jose, CA7:00 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$601One-way0 transfers
- 5:25 PM3h25San Jose, CA8:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$911One-way0 transfers
- 3:40 PM3h20San Jose, CA7:00 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$601One-way0 transfers
- 5:25 PM3h25San Jose, CA8:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$911One-way0 transfers
- 4:25 PM3h25San Jose, CA7:50 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$571One-way0 transfers
- 3:35 PM3h25San Jose, CA7:00 PMSan Luis Obispo, CA$591One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Jose, 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 bus which can get you there in 3h 48m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $35, and a train costs an average of $39.
Distance: 157 miles (254 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$64 Average price Cheapest | $102 Average price | $38 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA:
A bus is $37 (€30) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA costing on average $102 (€82).
Other travel options to San Luis Obispo, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
You'll arrive about -2h -4m sooner (3h 48m by bus vs 2h 44m by car) and save roughly $-25.90 (€-20.89) compared to fuel and tolls ($64 (€52) vs $38 (€31)). 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 Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 12:00PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $128 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:22AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 5h28 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $96 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:35PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:25PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:17PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 5h08 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:35PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:17PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 5h08 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $75 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:25PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:39PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 5h11 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:47PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 6h13 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:47PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 6h13 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:47PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 4h38 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $76 |
Live departures
San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3910 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 4010 AMTRAK | 6:25 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 9h55 | 4:20 PM San Luis Obispo, CA | 2 transfers | |
| 3910 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 4010 AMTRAK | 6:25 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 10h05 | 4:30 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 2 transfers | |
| FlixBus | 8:40 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 3h20 | 12:00 PM San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 727 Capitol Corridor · 4794 AMTRAK | 10:22 AM Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA | 5h28 | 3:50 PM San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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 26
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May 29
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May 31
Jun 01
Why should you book San Jose, 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 and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Jose, 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 and bus to find the ideal travel option from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 48m. 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 00:30, the last at 16:10. The fastest bus covers the 157 miles (254 km) distance in 3h 10m.
Distance 157 miles (254 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price $35 (€28) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 3h 10m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 4:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 28 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CAYou can travel by bus between San Jose, 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 Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Jose, 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 Jose, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Jose, CA
More options for your journey from San Jose, 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 Jose, CA
Most popular bus connections to San Luis Obispo, CA
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