The cheapest and fastest buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
Cheapest price
$85
Average price
$92
Fastest journey
5 h 38 m
Average duration
6 h 25 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
315 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA will cost around $92 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $85.
It's difficult to get from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA without transferring at least once.
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 550 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 550 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4765 AMTRAK · 14 Coast Starlight
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4765 AMTRAK · 14 Coast Starlight
4765 AMTRAK · 14 Coast Starlight
4761 AMTRAK · 550 Capitol CorridorTravel Information
Compare train and bus for San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, 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 5h 0m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. 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: 195 miles (315 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€54 Average price Cheapest | €64 Average price |
5h 30m Average total duration Fastest 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration 6h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 08:03PM | Duration 7h18 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 06:33PM | Duration 5h38 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $85 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 09:06PM | Duration 6h51 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $104 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 09:06PM | Duration 6h41 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $99 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $57 |
Live departures
San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA buses for today, Thursday, January 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 11:55 PM San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA | 4h35 | 4:30 AM Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, 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 Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
Buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $44 (€35) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 22:00. The fastest bus covers the 195 miles (315 km) distance in 4h 35m.
Distance 195 miles (315 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€35) |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 35m |
First bus 00:30 |
Last bus 22:00 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA start from as low as $44 (€35) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $66 (€54) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 8 daily trains from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 4h 35m but the average duration is 5h 0m
Train Operators
- Travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA with FlixBus
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is FlixBus.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA and arrive in Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA
- First train typically departs at 12:30 AM and the last at 10:00 PM
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CAYou can travel by bus between San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, 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 Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Lake Merritt, a large tidal lagoon offering scenic walking paths and boating activities
- Oakland Museum of California, a museum dedicated to the art, history, and natural sciences of California
- Jack London Square, a waterfront area with dining, shopping, and entertainment options
- Redwood Regional Park, a vast park with hiking trails through towering redwood trees
- Chabot Space and Science Center, an interactive museum with planetarium shows and telescopes for stargazing.
- Visit the vibrant Temescal Alley, known for its unique shops and eateries
- Explore the historic USS Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt's " Floating White House"
- Enjoy a performance at the Fox Theater, a beautifully restored 1920s movie palace
- Discover the diverse flavors at the Oakland First Fridays street festival
- Take a scenic bike ride along the Bay Trail, offering stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.
- 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.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- 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 Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Luis Obispo, CA
More options for your journey from San Luis Obispo, CA to Oakland, CA
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