- Must visit
California State Railroad Museum
One of North America’s premier rail museums, with restored locomotives, immersive exhibits, and strong California history context.
Cheapest price
$85
Average price
$124
Fastest journey
10 h 20 m
Average duration
11 h 27 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
628 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA will cost around $124 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $85.
Of the 9 buses that leave Santa Ana, CA for Sacramento, CA on Wed, Jul 15, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 15 the direct buses cover the 628 km distance in an average of 11 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h 20 m .
On Wed, Jul 15 the slowest buses will take 14 h 26 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.
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3711 AMTRAK
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3811 AMTRAK
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 524 Capitol Corridor
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 522 Capitol Corridor
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3711 AMTRAK
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3811 AMTRAK
·
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK · 522 Capitol CorridorOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $93. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 48m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $93, and a flight costs an average of $158.
Distance: 390 miles (628 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$109 Average price | $97 Average price Cheapest | $319 Average price | $83 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 57m Average total duration 11h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 33m Average total duration 10h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 48m Average total duration Fastest 2h 48m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA:
A train is $12 (€10) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $109 (€90).
A train is $223 (€183) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $319 (€263).
Other travel options to Sacramento, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 10h 3m.
Bus takes on average 11h 27m.
You'll arrive about -5h -59m sooner (11h 27m by bus vs 6h 28m by car) and save roughly $-25.25 (€-20.81) compared to fuel and tolls ($109 (€90) vs $83 (€69)). 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 Greyhound.
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 Amtrak | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 05:56PM | Duration 17h41 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $82 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:35AM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 14h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:04PM | Arrival Time 10:12AM | Duration 16h08 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $111 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 11h05 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $175 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 10h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $213 |
The table below shows live departures for Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:40 AM Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) | 11h05 | 6:45 PM Sacramento, Bus Terminal | 0 transfersDirect | |
· | 11:35 AM Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) | 14h55 | 2:30 AM Sacramento, Bus Terminal | 1 transfer | |
· | 9:35 PM Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) | 10h55 | 8:30 AM Sacramento, Bus Terminal | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3811 AMTRAK | 12:15 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 10h20 | 10:35 AM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 2 transfers | |
5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 3711 AMTRAK | 12:15 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 10h20 | 10:35 AM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 2 transfers | |
5811 AMTRAK · 6238 AMTRAK · 538 Capitol Corridor | 12:15 AM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 17h41 | 5:56 PM Sacramento Valley Station, Sacramento, CA | 2 transfers | |
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 Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, CA run on average 12 times per day, taking around 11h 27m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $57 (€47) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 390 miles (628 km) distance in 10h 5m.
Distance 390 miles (628 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $57 (€47) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 10h 5m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Sacramento — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sacramento trip today.
One of North America’s premier rail museums, with restored locomotives, immersive exhibits, and strong California history context.
Excellent art museum known for California art, ceramics, photography, and engaging modern exhibitions in Midtown Sacramento.
State history museum inside the capitol, featuring restored offices, political artifacts, and architecture that defines California government.
Tree-lined central district known for restaurants, shops, murals, nightlife, and easy walking between major Sacramento attractions.
Large riverside park with trails, gardens, ponds, and open lawns, ideal for strolling, picnics, and seeing local wildlife.
Long riverfront path popular for walking and cycling, linking parks and neighborhoods with broad Sacramento River views.
Farm-to-fork seasonal plates built from Sacramento Valley produce. They reflect the city's agricultural identity and restaurant culture more than a single fixed recipe.
A local spin on California cuisine using grilled salmon, asparagus, citrus, and herbs. It highlights nearby river fish and regional produce.
Fresh Delta asparagus, often grilled, roasted, or served in salads. It is a celebrated spring ingredient from the nearby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Contemporary fine dining destination focused on seasonal Sacramento ingredients, tasting menus, and polished service.
Beloved local bakery and cafe for breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee with a lively neighborhood feel.
Historic upscale restaurant in Old Sacramento known for steaks, seafood, and classic dining room service in a refined setting.
Moderate for California. Hotels are often pricier than smaller US cities, while casual dining and local transit stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants, 18-22% for excellent service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes often have tip jars or screen prompts; small tips are appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, CA to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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