- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
Museum aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and audio tours on San Diego Bay.
Cheapest price
$46
Average price
$46
Fastest journey
5 h 27 m
Average duration
5 h 27 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
263 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Ventura, CA 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 Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $46 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $46.
Of the 1 buses that leave Ventura, CA for San Diego, CA on Sat, Jun 27, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 27 the direct buses cover the 263 km distance in an average of 5 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 27 m .
On Sat, Jun 27 the slowest buses will take 5 h 27 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 Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $46. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $46, and a flight costs an average of $116.
Distance: 163 miles (263 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$46 Average price Cheapest | $47 Average price | $277 Average price | $39 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 30m Average total duration 5h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 45m Average total duration Fastest 2h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 14m 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 Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $0.66 (€0.54) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $47 (€38).
A bus is $231 (€189) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $277 (€227).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 0m.
Train takes on average 5h 20m.
You'll arrive about -2h -46m sooner (5h 0m by bus vs 3h 14m by car) and save roughly $-7.17 (€-5.87) compared to fuel and tolls ($46 (€38) vs $39 (€32)). 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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:43AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 5h27 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Central Coast Shuttle | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 01:22PM | Duration 6h07 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Central Coast Shuttle | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 03:42PM | Duration 6h27 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Central Coast Shuttle | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 06:12PM | Duration 6h27 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Central Coast Shuttle | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 07:32AM | Duration 15h17 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
The table below shows live departures for Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA buses for tomorrow, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:43 AM Ventura, CA | 5h27 | 9:10 AM San Diego, 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 Ventura, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $46 (€37) but you can travel from only $46 (€37) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 22:50. The fastest bus covers the 163 miles (263 km) distance in 5h 27m.
Distance 163 miles (263 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $46 (€37) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 5h 27m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 10:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 35 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.
Museum aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and audio tours on San Diego Bay.
Balboa Park art museum known for Spanish old masters, South Asian works, and rotating exhibitions in a landmark building.
Leading contemporary art museum with major postwar and current works, especially strong in Southern California and Pacific Rim artists.
Vast cultural park with gardens, museums, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, walking paths, and some of San Diego's best photo spots.
Scenic cove known for sea lions, clear water, coastal cliffs, and highly shareable sunset and ocean-view walks.
Wide sandy beach beside the Hotel del Coronado, popular for walking, photography, and classic Southern California scenery.
Beer-battered or grilled local fish in tortillas, usually topped with cabbage, crema, and salsa. A signature coastal San Diego staple with strong Baja influence.
A San Diego original burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa. It is one of the city’s most iconic late-night and casual foods.
French fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. This indulgent dish is strongly associated with San Diego taco shop culture.
Popular waterfront seafood restaurant serving fresh local catch, fish tacos, and sandwiches in a relaxed harbor setting near the fishing fleet.
Historic, no-frills Mexican restaurant famous for house-made tortillas, rolled tacos, and comforting traditional plates. A beloved local institution with a classic atmosphere.
Iconic casual spot in Ocean Beach known for oversized burgers, fries, and a lively beach-town vibe. A long-standing San Diego favorite.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels, dining, and parking near the coast and downtown.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and valet.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ventura, CA 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need