- Must visit
California Academy of Sciences
Renowned science museum with rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium. Interactive exhibits make it a standout for all ages.
Cheapest price
$42
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
8 h 35 m
Average duration
8 h 35 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
480 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $42.
Of the 2 buses that leave Ventura, CA for San Francisco, CA on Thu, Aug 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct buses cover the 480 km distance in an average of 8 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 35 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest buses will take 8 h 35 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 Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $79.
Distance: 298 miles (480 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$43 Average price Cheapest | $97 Average price | $163 Average price | $71 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 49m Average total duration 8h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 22m Average total duration 9h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 48m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, CA:
A bus is $54 (€44) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $97 (€79).
A bus is $120 (€97) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average $163 (€133).
Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 19m.
Train takes on average 9h 52m.
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 Amtrak | Departure Time 05:13AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 10h07 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 05:40AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
The table below shows live departures for Ventura, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:05 PM Ventura, CA | 8h35 | 5:40 AM San Francisco, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Francisco, CA run on average 11 times per day, taking around 8h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€34) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 04:55, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 298 miles (480 km) distance in 8h 35m.
Distance 298 miles (480 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€34) |
Buses per day 11 |
Fastest bus 8h 35m |
First bus 4:55 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of San Francisco, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Francisco, CA trip today.
Renowned science museum with rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium. Interactive exhibits make it a standout for all ages.
Major fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park with American art, textiles, and a panoramic tower. A classic cultural highlight.
Leading modern and contemporary art museum with landmark architecture and strong global collections. Essential for art-focused visitors.
Large urban park with gardens, lakes, museums, and trails. It is a must for relaxing, walking, and seeing several major attractions.
Steeply curving block lined with flowers and grand homes. This famous street offers classic photos and a quintessential San Francisco scene.
Popular waterfront promenade with bay views, piers, and ferries. Great for walking, people-watching, and connecting to nearby sights.
A crusty loaf with a tangy flavor shaped by the city’s historic wild yeast culture. It is one of San Francisco’s most iconic foods.
Fresh local Dungeness crab, often cracked and served simply or in cioppino. It is a Bay Area seasonal specialty tied to the fishing waterfront.
A tomato-based seafood stew created by Italian American fishermen in North Beach. It is a classic San Francisco dish built from the day’s catch.
Celebrated fine dining destination known for inventive tasting menus and polished service in an elegant, intimate setting.
Historic North Beach seafood house famous for cioppino, crab, and old-school San Francisco waterfront charm.
Legendary Mission taqueria known for large Mission-style burritos and a lively, no-frills local atmosphere.
Very high hotel, dining, and transport costs make San Francisco pricier than most US cities and many major tourist destinations.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis, and round up or tip $1 at cafes for good service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ventura, CA to San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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