4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Cheapest price
$64
Average price
$85
Fastest journey
5 h 38 m
Average duration
8 h 20 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
296 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA will cost around $85 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $64.
It's difficult to get from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA without transferring at least once.
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FlixBus5:35 AM10h45San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:20 PMSanta Maria, Nicholson Avenue / Cypress Street, CA$641One-way1 transfer
523 Capitol Corridor · 4790 AMTRAK8:17 AM6h03Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA2:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$841One-way1 transfer- 539 Capitol Corridor · 6241 AMTRAK2:47 PM5h38Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA8:25 PMSanta Maria, CA$841One-way1 transfer
- 3910 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 4010 AMTRAK6:25 AM10h55San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA5:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$1091One-way2 transfers
- 539 Capitol Corridor · 6241 AMTRAK2:47 PM5h38Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA8:25 PMSanta Maria, CA$841One-way1 transfer
- 523 Capitol Corridor · 4790 AMTRAK8:17 AM6h03Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA2:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$841One-way1 transfer
- +FlixBus5:35 AM10h45San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)4:20 PMSanta Maria, Nicholson Avenue / Cypress Street, CA$641One-way1 transfer
- 3910 AMTRAK · 710 Gold Runner · 4010 AMTRAK6:25 AM10h55San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA5:20 PMSanta Maria, CA$1091One-way2 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $52. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 5h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, and a train costs an average of $86.
Distance: 183 miles (296 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$72 Average price Cheapest | $104 Average price | $44 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 35m Average total duration Fastest 5h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 24m Average total duration 9h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA:
A bus is $32 (€26) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA costing on average $104 (€83).
Other travel options to Santa Maria, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 54m.
You'll arrive about -2h -50m sooner (5h 5m by bus vs 3h 15m by car) and save roughly $-27.37 (€-21.87) compared to fuel and tolls ($72 (€57) vs $44 (€35)). 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 Santa Maria, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 10h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:25AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $109 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:17AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 6h03 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:47PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 5h38 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $84 |
Live departures
San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA buses for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:17 PM San Jose, CA | 5h58 | 10:15 PM Santa Maria, 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 Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
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May 14
Why should you book San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, 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 and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $52 (€42) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:10, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 183 miles (296 km) distance in 3h 50m.
Distance 183 miles (296 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $52 (€42) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 3h 50m |
First bus 6:10 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CAYou can travel by bus between San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA with FlixBus for as low as $52 (€42). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Maria, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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 Santa Maria, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Jose, CA
More options for your journey from San Jose, CA to Santa Maria, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Santa Maria, CA and San Jose, CA
Most popular bus connections to Santa Maria, CA
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