4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$60
Average price
$84
Fastest journey
4 h 15 m
Average duration
6 h 16 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
319 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA will cost around $84 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $60.
Of the 4 buses that leave San Luis Obispo, CA for San Francisco, CA on Thu, May 28, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 28 the direct buses cover the 319 km distance in an average of 6 h 16 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 15 m .
On Thu, May 28 the slowest buses will take 7 h 16 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.
11:05 PM4h15San Luis Obispo, CA3:20 AMSan Francisco, CA$601One-way0 transfers
10:45 PM6h46San Luis Obispo, CA5:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$911One-way0 transfers- 9:15 PM7h16San Luis Obispo, CA4:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$921One-way0 transfers
- 9:45 PM6h46San Luis Obispo, CA4:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$931One-way0 transfers
- 11:05 PM4h15San Luis Obispo, CA3:20 AMSan Francisco, CA$601One-way0 transfers
- 10:45 PM6h46San Luis Obispo, CA5:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$911One-way0 transfers
- 9:45 PM6h46San Luis Obispo, CA4:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$931One-way0 transfers
- 9:15 PM7h16San Luis Obispo, CA4:31 AMSan Francisco, CA$921One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $38. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 41m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $38, and a flight costs an average of $248.
Distance: 198 miles (319 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price Cheapest | $75 Average price | $410 Average price | $48 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 37m Average total duration 5h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 19m Average total duration 6h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 41m Average total duration Fastest 1h 41m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A bus is $7 (€6) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $75 (€61).
A bus is $342 (€276) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $410 (€331).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 7m.
Train takes on average 6h 49m.
You'll arrive about -2h -29m sooner (5h 7m by bus vs 3h 38m by car) and save roughly $-19.68 (€-15.89) compared to fuel and tolls ($68 (€55) vs $48 (€39)). 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 Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 04:31AM | Duration 7h16 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 04:31AM | Duration 6h46 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $93 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 05:31AM | Duration 6h46 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05PM | Arrival Time 03:20AM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $60 |
Live departures
San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Wednesday, May 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1:05 PM San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA | 4h45 | 5:50 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, 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 San Francisco, CA by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
May 28
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Jun 01
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Jun 03
Why should you book San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:11, the last at 16:10. The fastest bus covers the 198 miles (319 km) distance in 4h 15m.
Distance 198 miles (319 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 15m |
First bus 6:11 AM |
Last bus 4:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA with FlixBus for as low as $38 (€31). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- 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 Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections from San Luis Obispo, CA
More options for your journey from San Luis Obispo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from San Francisco, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA
Most popular bus connections to San Francisco, CA
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