The cheapest and fastest buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Cheapest price
$71
Average price
$71
Fastest journey
4 h 27 m
Average duration
4 h 27 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
258 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA will cost around $71 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $71.
Of the 1 buses that leave San Luis Obispo, CA for Santa Clara, CA on Sun, May 31, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 258 km distance in an average of 4 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 27 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 4 h 27 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.
8:30 PM4h27San Luis Obispo, CA12:57 AMSanta Clara, CA$711One-way0 transfers
8:30 PM4h27San Luis Obispo, CA12:57 AMSanta Clara, CA$711One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $71. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 8m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $71, and a train costs an average of $113.
Distance: 160 miles (258 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$73 Average price Cheapest | $142 Average price | $39 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 38m Average total duration Fastest 4h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 11m Average total duration 9h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA:
A bus is $69 (€56) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA costing on average $142 (€114).
Other travel options to Santa Clara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 41m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 01:24PM | Duration 5h44 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 12:57AM | Duration 4h27 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $71 |
Compare prices and tickets San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, 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.
May 31
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $71 (€57) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 14:55. The fastest bus covers the 160 miles (258 km) distance in 4h 27m.
Distance 160 miles (258 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $71 (€57) |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 4h 27m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 2:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 70 days |
FAQs: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, 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 Clara, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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Popular bus stations from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
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