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Cheap bus tickets from Los Angeles to San Francisco

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Los Angeles to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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from$42.10

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

There are usually 27 daily train trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$90.56
Avg. Price
$90.92
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
28
Daily Trips
27
Duration
Duration
9h 39m
Duration
10h 19m

Bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 28 intercity buses per day from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco usually takes around 9 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance347 mi (559 km)
Shortest duration7h 0m
Cheapest price$42.77
Trips per day16
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Los Angeles to San Francisco

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Sriparna

August 18, 2024- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: The route, bus driver arrived at destination on time. Cons: No lunch break was given.

5.0

Nikki

November 13, 2023- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: The driver was extremely nice, he took my ticket for Wednesday that was a mistake, and honored it on Tuesday night from SF Ca to LA Ca! I was very pleased with the service.. Cons: Leg room I’m 5’9..😂. Tips: Be kind and courteous to all..😊.

4.0

Ana

November 27, 2022- Solo travel

OurBus

the socket does not work all the time and there was no wifi and the tv was not turned on

4.0

Erichson W

October 1, 2019- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: being able to relax & enjoy the scenery of the country. Cons: greyhound e-ticket as another choice to present to driver, than just paper ticket after purchase. International travelers don't have access to a printer. Tips: not at this time.

5.0

Michael

May 26, 2019- Couples trip

Megabus

Very relaxing vs driving myself.

Los Angeles to San Francisco Route Map

Los Angeles San Francisco

How much is a bus ticket from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

Bus tickets for a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco cost $90.57 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price

Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Francisco by travel date

$189$126$63NovDec

If you're planning to travel by bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $66 to $175. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 5, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $66.

Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Francisco by month

$105$84$63$42$21JFMAMJJASOND
Taking the bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $81. If you're planning to take the bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $97. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$140$112$84$56$283020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 22 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $25.91 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Los Angeles to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 18 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US118h 13m$102.19
Greyhound1810h 29m$108.03

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 11 trips per day from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 18 bus trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 29 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $43.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Yes. Both Greyhound and Megabus operate overnight coaches from L.A. to San Francisco, departing as late as 11:30 p.m. For a more expensive option, you might consider Cabin, with luxury sleeping cabins that start at $84.

If you are traveling via bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco, you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks on the bus. Unfortunately, there is no way to purchase food on the bus itself, so bringing your own snacks and drinks is recommended. However, none of the bus companies for this route allow you to consume alcohol onboard.

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 559 kilometers from Los Angeles to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Francisco at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Los Angeles to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 28 scheduled buses that travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 16 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Los Angeles to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $64.55.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Los Angeles?

Main departure station: North Hollywood Bus Station

Buses to San Francisco leave from 6 stations in Los Angeles.

All bus stations in Los Angeles:

  • North Hollywood Bus Station

  • 800 N Alameda St

  • San Fernando Bus Station

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • Downtown - Vignes Lot

  • 1658 N Orange Drive

Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?

Main arrival station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

  • Salesforce Transit Center

  • 700 Beach Street

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Related reading

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