- Must visit
San Diego Museum of Art
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$78
Average price
$81
Fastest journey
10 h 50 m
Average duration
11 h 42 m
Buses per day
12
Distance
587 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $78.
It's difficult to get from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA without transferring at least once.
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FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBus
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Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $72. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $72, and a flight costs an average of $96.
Distance: 364 miles (587 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$117 Average price Cheapest | $134 Average price | $282 Average price | $82 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
13h 2m Average total duration 12h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 32m Average total duration 13h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 47m 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 Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $17 (€14) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA costing on average $134 (€110).
A bus is $164 (€135) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA costing on average $282 (€232).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 12h 32m.
Train takes on average 13h 2m.
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 06:00AM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 11h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 16h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $79 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:55AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 15h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 18h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 18h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $72 |
The table below shows live departures for Tucson, AZ to San Diego, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:00 AM Tuscon, University of Arizona Transportation Office, AZ | 16h15 | 10:15 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:00 AM Tuscon, University of Arizona Transportation Office, AZ | 12h10 | 6:10 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+![]() | 6:00 AM Tuscon, University of Arizona Transportation Office, AZ | 11h45 | 5:45 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+![]() | 6:00 AM Tuscon, University of Arizona Transportation Office, AZ | 12h20 | 6:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
· | 6:55 AM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 11h25 | 6:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
+ FlixBus | 6:55 AM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 15h20 | 10:15 PM San Diego, West Harbor Drive (The Headquarters at Seaport District), CA | 1 transfer | |
· | 6:55 AM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 10h50 | 5:45 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
· | 5:45 PM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 18h00 | 11:45 AM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA | 1 transfer | |
· | 5:45 PM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 18h35 | 12:20 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 1 transfer | |
· + FlixBus | 10:15 PM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 18h55 | 5:10 PM San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center | 2 transfers | |
· + FlixBus | 10:15 PM Tucson, E 12th St (Bus Station) | 18h10 | 4:25 PM San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), 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 Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA run on average 14 times per day, taking around 12h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $72 (€59) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:20. The fastest bus covers the 364 miles (587 km) distance in 11h 20m.
Distance 364 miles (587 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price $72 (€59) |
Buses per day 14 |
Fastest bus 11h 20m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
Major Balboa Park museum with works from Spanish old masters to modern art, plus strong regional and international exhibitions.
Acclaimed contemporary art museum in La Jolla featuring oceanfront settings, modern works, and rotating global exhibitions.
Museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier with restored aircraft, naval exhibits, and immersive views of life at sea.
Balboa Park is San Diego's grand cultural park, packed with gardens, architecture, museums, and walkable plazas worth lingering in.
Historic Gaslamp Quarter offers Victorian-era streets, nightlife energy, and preserved downtown architecture for an atmospheric walk.
Dramatic seaside cliffs and walking paths in La Jolla, famous for waves, sea lions, and sweeping Pacific views.
A San Diego staple: grilled fish in a soft tortilla with cabbage, crema, and salsa. Popularized by Baja influence and coastal seafood culture.
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole, and crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. A late-night local favorite born in San Diego taquerias.
Fresh local sea urchin served raw, prized for its rich, buttery taste. It reflects San Diego's access to Pacific seafood and sushi culture.
Celebrated sushi restaurant specializing in omakase and pristine seafood, including uni. Intimate, polished, and highly respected by locals.
Iconic casual seafood counter known for fish tacos, smoked fish, and harbor views. A classic stop for San Diego's Baja-inspired seafood style.
Refined fine-dining restaurant showcasing local seafood and seasonal California ingredients. Elegant room with one of the city's strongest reputations.
San Diego is pricey for US travel, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking than many cities, though casual food and buses stay manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 for coffee drinks or small cafe orders.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, 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 Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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