How to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA

Sat, Aug 15
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from RM56. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 42m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of RM56, and a flight costs an average of RM44.

Distance: 458 miles (738 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Flight
Driving

RM73

Average price

RM73

Average price

Cheapest

RM219

Average price

RM95

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

13h 56m

Average total duration

13h 26m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

12h 45m

Average total duration

12h 15m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 42m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 42m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

7h 49m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.2 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.7 - 1.8kg

CO2 emissions

2.2 - 4.4kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Greyhound

Most popular bus company

Alaska Airlines

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is a bus with an average price of RM73.

This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA:

A bus is RM0.58 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average RM73.

A bus is RM146 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average RM219.

The fastest way to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 42m.

Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 12h 15m.

Train takes on average 13h 26m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users.

Travel options
from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA

How to get from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Amtrak769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
    8:01 AM13h39
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    9:40 PMSan Francisco, CA
    RM601One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Amtrak769 Pacific Surfliner · 4769 AMTRAK
    8:01 AM13h39
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    9:40 PMSan Francisco, CA
    RM601One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Alaska AirlinesAS2314
    4:14 PM1h35
    San Diego International Airport
    5:49 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    RM1401One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak769 Pacific Surfliner · 5719 AMTRAK · 719 Gold Runner · 6619 AMTRAK
    8:01 AM14h29
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    10:30 PMSan Francisco, CA
    RM1091One-way
    3 transfers
  • Amtrak765 Pacific Surfliner · 14 Coast Starlight · 6619 AMTRAK
    6:01 AM16h29
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    10:30 PMSan Francisco, CA
    RM1551One-way
    2 transfers
  • Amtrak785 Pacific Surfliner · 4785 AMTRAK
    4:01 PM13h44
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    5:45 AMSan Francisco, CA
    RM601One-way
    1 transfer
  • Amtrak761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK · 6697 AMTRAK
    4:01 AM15h19
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    7:20 PMSan Francisco, CA
    RM771One-way
    2 transfers
  • Amtrak5811 AMTRAK · 711 Gold Runner · 6611 AMTRAK
    10:10 PM13h20
    Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
    11:30 AMSan Francisco, CA
    RM921One-way
    2 transfers
  • CitizenPlane3383
    7:45 PM1h47
    San Diego International Airport
    9:32 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    RM1281One-way
    0 transfers
  • Alaska AirlinesAS3232
    6:31 PM1h41
    San Diego International Airport
    8:12 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    RM1401One-way
    0 transfers
  • Alaska AirlinesAS291
    9:27 PM1h41
    San Diego International Airport
    11:08 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    RM1401One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA

Travel to San Francisco, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is a bus with an average price of RM73.

This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA:

A bus is RM0.58 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average RM73.

A bus is RM146 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA costing on average RM219.

The fastest way to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 42m.

Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 12h 15m.

Train takes on average 13h 26m.

The distance from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is approximately 458 miles (738 km).
The average frequency per day from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA is:
  • Around 54 flights per day.
  • Around 21 buses per day.
  • Around 18 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA:
  • Flights mostly depart from San Diego International Airport and arrive in San Francisco International Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA and arrive in Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA.
  • Buses mostly depart from San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA and arrive in San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to San Francisco, CA by train.
  • Travel with Alaska Airlines, United, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines to go to San Francisco, CA by flight.
  • Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to San Francisco, CA by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA with the following travel companies:
  • 13 direct flights per day with Alaska Airlines, United.
  • 2 direct buses per day with Greyhound, FlixBus.
Omio customers who travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA often also extend their vacation to go to Los Angeles, CA, Sacramento, CA, Las Vegas, NV, New York, NY, San Jose, CA. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between San Francisco, CA and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in San Francisco, CA to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In San Francisco, CA, you can ride a cable car through steep streets, explore vibrant murals in the Mission District, and visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum. Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero for views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace. Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley. Key sights include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, and Chinatown, each offering unique experiences from panoramic views to vibrant culture and cuisine.
Three to four days in San Francisco, CA, allows you to explore major attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and neighborhoods like Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury, while also enjoying some of the city's renowned dining and cultural experiences.
HomeTravelTravel to USATravel to San Francisco, CAHow to travel from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA

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