- Must visit
The Getty Center
Major hilltop art museum with European paintings, decorative arts, architecture, and city views; one of Los Angeles’s signature cultural sites.
Cheapest price
$267
Average price
$274
Fastest journey
1 d 12 h 5 m
Average duration
1 d 15 h 30 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
1967 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $274 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $267.
Of the 2 buses that leave San Marcos, TX for Los Angeles, CA on Wed, Jun 17, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct buses cover the 1967 km distance in an average of 1 d 15 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 12 h 5 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest buses will take 1 d 18 h 55 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $174. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 14h 2m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $174, and a train costs an average of $255.
Distance: 1222 miles (1967 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$275 Average price | $382 Average price | $222 Average price Cheapest | $275 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
44h 9m Average total duration 43h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 49h 23m Average total duration 48h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 2m Average total duration Fastest 14h 2m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA:
A flight is $53 (€43) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $275 (€223).
A flight is $160 (€130) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $382 (€310).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 43h 39m.
Train takes on average 48h 53m.
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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:05AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 36h05 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $267 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:35AM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 42h55 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $280 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 52h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $237 |
The table below shows live departures for San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:05 AM San Marcos, TX | 36h05 | 12:10 PM Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:35 AM San Marcos, TX | 42h55 | 10:30 PM Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 43h 39m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $237 (€192) but you can travel from only $174 (€141) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 06:40, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 1222 miles (1967 km) distance in 36h 5m.
Distance 1222 miles (1967 km) |
Average bus duration 43h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price $237 (€192) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 36h 5m |
First bus 6:40 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Los Angeles — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Los Angeles trip today.
Major hilltop art museum with European paintings, decorative arts, architecture, and city views; one of Los Angeles’s signature cultural sites.
The largest art museum in the western United States, known for broad global collections and the iconic Urban Light installation.
Popular contemporary art museum in Downtown Los Angeles with works by Kusama, Warhol, and other major postwar artists.
Vast urban park with trails, scenic overlooks, and access to major attractions; a classic Los Angeles outdoor destination.
Iconic oceanfront boardwalk area with classic California views and broad appeal for first-time visitors.
Famous beachfront promenade known for street culture, skate scenes, murals, and constant people-watching.
A Los Angeles classic of thinly sliced roast beef on a roll, served with rich jus for dipping. It is one of the city’s most iconic old-school sandwiches.
Street tacos are central to Los Angeles food culture, especially carne asada, al pastor, and grilled fish tacos served on corn tortillas with salsa, onion, and cilantro.
A signature Los Angeles meal shaped by Koreatown, featuring grilled marinated meats, banchan, and shared dining. The city is especially known for its strong Korean barbecue scene.
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant known for refined seafood tasting menus and elegant service. One of Los Angeles’s top special-occasion destinations.
Historic downtown institution famous for the French dip sandwich. Casual, old-school atmosphere and one of Los Angeles’s most iconic food stops.
Well-known Oaxacan restaurant celebrated for complex moles, tlayudas, and mezcal. Lively atmosphere and a landmark for regional Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is expensive for visitors. Hotels, parking, and dining add up quickly, though casual food and some neighborhoods offer better value.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Not expected at fast-food spots.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Marcos, TX to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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