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Travel Information
Compare bus and train for San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $69 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 6h 21m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $69, while a bus costs an average of $79.
Distance: 196 miles (316 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$69 Average price Cheapest | $79 Average price | $46 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 21m Average total duration 6h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 21m Average total duration Fastest 5h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 4m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:
A train is $10 (€9) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $79 (€66).
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 21m.
Tickets start at around $69 (€58) compared to roughly $46 (€38) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$23 (-€19). The journey takes 6h 51m versus 4h 4m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA
How to get from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 1:11 PM7h00San Luis Obispo, CA8:11 PMIrvine, CA$521One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 1:11 PM7h00San Luis Obispo, CA8:11 PMIrvine, CA$521One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 1:11 PM7h00San Luis Obispo, CA8:11 PMIrvine, CA$521One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare bus and train 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.
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FAQs: Travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA
Travel to Irvine, 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 Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:
A train is $10 (€9) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $79 (€66).
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 21m.
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Luis Obispo, CA and Irvine, CA as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA and arrive in Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA and arrive in Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Irvine, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
- 3 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA: related information
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