- Must visit
The Tech Interactive
Hands-on science and technology museum in Downtown San Jose with interactive exhibits, design challenges, and an IMAX Dome Theater. A strong family-friendly stop and one of the city’s signature museum
Cheapest price
$181
Average price
$194
Fastest journey
8 h
Average duration
10 h 3 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
541 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA will cost around $194 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $181.
Of the 2 buses that leave Santa Ana, CA for San Jose, CA on Sun, Jun 21, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 541 km distance in an average of 10 h 3 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 12 h 5 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.
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· Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $58. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 44m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, and a flight costs an average of $180.
Distance: 336 miles (541 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$115 Average price Cheapest | $155 Average price | $326 Average price | $75 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 44m Average total duration 9h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 26m Average total duration 10h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 44m Average total duration Fastest 2h 44m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 0m 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 San Jose, CA:
A bus is $40 (€33) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, CA costing on average $155 (€127).
A bus is $212 (€173) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, CA costing on average $326 (€267).
Other travel options to San Jose, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 14m.
Train takes on average 10h 56m.
You'll arrive about -4h -14m sooner (9h 14m by bus vs 6h 0m by car) and save roughly $-39.11 (€-32.01) compared to fuel and tolls ($115 (€94) vs $75 (€62)). 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 11:45AM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:01AM | Arrival Time 05:57PM | Duration 11h56 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 12h05 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $98 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:04AM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 10h21 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $99 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:04PM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 10h26 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $82 |
The table below shows live departures for Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, CA buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK | 6:04 PM Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA | 10h26 | 4:30 AM San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 9:35 PM Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) | 8h00 | 5:35 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, June 21 | |||||
· | 7:40 AM Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) | 12h05 | 7:45 PM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 1 transfer | |
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 San Jose, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 9h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $58 (€47) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 336 miles (541 km) distance in 8h 5m.
Distance 336 miles (541 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $58 (€47) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 8h 5m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of San Jose — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Jose trip today.
Hands-on science and technology museum in Downtown San Jose with interactive exhibits, design challenges, and an IMAX Dome Theater. A strong family-friendly stop and one of the city’s signature museum
Distinctive museum with one of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts on display in western North America. Its architecture and mummy exhibits make it especially popular with first-time visit
The estate includes museum-style historical exhibits about Sarah Winchester and the property, complementing the guided house tour. A popular heritage experience with strong visitor interest.
Stylish mixed-use district known for palm-lined streets, upscale storefronts, and lively atmosphere. One of the most photographed and socially popular areas in the city.
Core urban district with museums, plazas, theaters, light rail access, and a growing event scene. The best base for first-time visitors wanting a broad overview of the city.
Beautiful public garden famed for its seasonal rose displays and photogenic layout. Popular with locals for walks and social media-friendly snapshots.
Fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup that is especially popular in East San Jose, reflecting the city’s large Vietnamese community and local food culture.
A Vietnamese sandwich on a crisp baguette with pickled vegetables, herbs, and savory fillings; a signature everyday bite in San Jose.
A San Jose taqueria favorite: a burrito paired with the city’s cult orange taco sauce, a local staple with a creamy, spicy kick.
An upscale Portuguese restaurant recognized for refined cooking, polished service, and a destination-worthy fine dining experience.
A long-running downtown institution known for Italian American comfort food, steaks, and a classic old-school atmosphere.
A famous casual San Jose landmark celebrated for falafel, gyros, and its well-known banana shake in a retro drive-in setting.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining. Budget options exist, but Silicon Valley costs make daily travel relatively expensive.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or tip 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Ana, CA to San Jose, 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 Jose, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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