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Oakland to San Francisco bus

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Oakland - San Francisco Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 9 intercity buses per day from Oakland to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Oakland to San Francisco usually takes around 26 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 15 minutes.

Distance8 mi (13 km)
Shortest duration0h 15m
Cheapest price$8.81
Trips per day9
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

How much is a bus ticket from Oakland to San Francisco?

$10.25 is the average price of a bus ticket from Oakland to San Francisco. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$20$14$7MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Oakland to San Francisco is expected to be between $10 and $11. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is March 31, 2024, when tickets are available for March 31, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $10.

Monthly average prices

$34$27$20$14$7AMJJASONDJFM
If you're planning on taking a bus from Oakland to San Francisco, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $10 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$34$27$20$14$73020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 24 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$0.49 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Oakland to San Francisco?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Oakland to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US70h 24m$10.82
Greyhound60h 27m$10.37
  • 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 7 trips per day from Oakland 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 6 bus trips from Oakland to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 0 hours and 27 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $9.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 26 minutes to cover the 13 kilometers from Oakland to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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.

"Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in San Francisco. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Oakland to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Oakland to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Oakland to San Francisco without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Oakland to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $9.50.

City Information

Oakland

Oakland, CA - OAK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

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 Oakland?

Bus Terminal - 2103 San Pablo Ave  - OAKGLI-0

Image credit: Pi.1415926535

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: West Oakland Bart Station

The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

All bus stations in Oakland:

  • West Oakland Bart Station

Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?

Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center

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

Bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Salesforce Transit Center

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

  • 700 Beach Street

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in San Francisco. Download here

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Oakland?

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