How to travel from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA

Tue, Sep 29
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Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of ₫124 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.3 - 1.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of ₫124, while a flight costs an average of ₫429.

Distance: 679 miles (1093 km)

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Train
Bus
Driving

₫429

Average price

₫220

Average price

₫124

Average price

Cheapest

₫142

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

6h 54m

Average total duration

Fastest

4h 54m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

22h 57m

Average total duration

22h 27m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

19h 59m

Average total duration

19h 29m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

12h 34m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

3.3 - 6.6kg

CO2 emissions

0.3 - 1.0kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

1.1 - 2.7kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

United

Most popular airline

Amtrak

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

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 Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is a bus with an average price of ₫124.

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

A bus is ₫96 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA costing on average ₫220.

A bus is ₫305 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA costing on average ₫429.

The fastest way to travel from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 54m.

Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 19h 59m.

Train takes on average 22h 57m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 7h 40m sooner (4h 54m by flight vs 12h 34m by car). Tickets start at around ₫429 compared to roughly ₫142 in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • Greyhound ·
    9:15 PM20h00
    Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station)
    5:15 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29
    ₫801One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • Greyhound ·
    9:15 PM20h00
    Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station)
    5:15 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29
    ₫801One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Alaska AirlinesAA7462
    7:24 PM2h15
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    9:39 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    ₫2781One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak11 · 5011
    9:55 AM23h25
    King Street Station, Seattle, WA
    9:20 AMSan Francisco, CA
    ₫2051One-way
    1 transfer
  • Amtrak11 · 6611
    9:55 AM25h35
    King Street Station, Seattle, WA
    11:30 AMSan Francisco, CA
    ₫2051One-way
    1 transfer
  • Greyhound · +FlixBusFlixBus
    9:15 PM35h15
    Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station)
    8:30 AMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA
    ₫871One-way
    2 transfers
  • Greyhound · · +FlixBusFlixBus
    2:25 PM27h30
    Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station)
    5:55 PMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA
    ₫1041One-way
    3 transfers
  • Greyhound ·
    2:25 PM22h10
    Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station)
    12:35 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29
    ₫1051One-way
    1 transfer
  • American AirlinesAA1110+skywest airlinesAA4896
    7:10 AM5h26
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    12:36 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    ₫2671One-way
    1 transfer
  • American AirlinesAA3138+skywest airlinesAA4988
    12:55 PM6h07
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    7:02 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    ₫2671One-way
    1 transfer
  • American AirlinesAA2421+envoy airAA4117
    11:22 AM7h49
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    7:11 PMSan Francisco International Airport
    ₫2671One-way
    1 transfer

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

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FAQs: Travel from Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA including taking a bus, train, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is a bus with an average price of ₫124.

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

A bus is ₫96 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA costing on average ₫220.

A bus is ₫305 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA costing on average ₫429.

The fastest way to travel from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 6h 54m.

Other travel options to San Francisco, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 19h 59m.

Train takes on average 22h 57m.

The distance from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is approximately 679 miles (1093 km).
The average frequency per day from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA is:
  • Around 80 flights per day.
  • Around 3 buses per day.
  • Around 2 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA:
  • Flights mostly depart from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and arrive in San Francisco International Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from King Street Station, Seattle, WA and arrive in Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA.
  • Buses mostly depart from Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station) and arrive in San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to San Francisco, CA by bus.
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to San Francisco, CA by train.
  • Travel with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, CitizenPlane, skywest airlines to go to San Francisco, CA by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA with the following travel companies:
  • 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
  • 15 direct flights per day with Alaska Airlines, United, CitizenPlane.
Omio customers who travel from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA often also extend their vacation to go to Los Angeles, CA, Las Vegas, NV, San Diego, CA, Portland, OR, Santa Ana, 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 Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA

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