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Cheap bus tickets from Sacramento to San Francisco

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4.8 Rating

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4.5 Rating

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Sacramento to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 12 daily train trips from Sacramento to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$38.04
Avg. Price
$49.17
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
13
Daily Trips
12
Duration
Duration
2h 39m
Duration
3h 15m

Bus from Sacramento to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 14 intercity buses per day from Sacramento to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Sacramento to San Francisco usually takes around 2 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance75 mi (121 km)
Shortest duration2h 5m
Cheapest price$33.65
Trips per day14
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Sacramento to San Francisco

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Maria

July 22, 2024- Solo travel

FlixBus US

It was my first trip and was excellent!

5.0

Teresa

February 1, 2022- Business

Greyhound

Pros: Convenient and great travel times. Cons: Nothing. Tips: San Francisco bus stop is near everything!

5.0

Richard

February 22, 2020- Vacation

Megabus

Ease of travel.

5.0

Joel

October 4, 2019- Vacation

Megabus

Pros: Efficient & cost effective and very pleasant. Cons: No sign marking location in Sacramento! Difficulty finding exact spot. Tips: Excellent value!

5.0

Calixtro

September 14, 2019- Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: Quiet, comfortable ride with friendly driver. Cons: For $5 I feel like we got more than our money’s worth! Tips: The earlier you arrive, the better seat you will get.

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Sacramento to San Francisco cost $44.98 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Sacramento to San Francisco by travel date

$63$42$21NovDec

If you're planning to travel by bus from Sacramento to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $41 to $55. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 7, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $41.

Average bus ticket prices from Sacramento to San Francisco by month

$70$56$42$28$14JFMAMJJASOND
Traveling from Sacramento to San Francisco by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $22 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$70$56$42$28$143020100

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 15 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $4.07 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Sacramento to San Francisco?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Sacramento to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 11 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US112h 40m$47.60
Greyhound32h 39m$46.98
  • 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 Sacramento 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 3 bus trips from Sacramento to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 39 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $34.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Sacramento to San Francisco

No, you cannot take BART from Sacramento to San Francisco because BART does not extend all the way to Sacramento. The best way to get from Sacramento to San Francisco without a car is probably by bus. The trip will take as little as 1 hour 40 minutes, and ticket prices average just $7.
Yes, you can take Amtrak from Sacramento to San Francisco, although to get into downtown S.F. you will need to get off in Emeryville (near Oakland) and cross the San Francisco Bay. Traveling by bus is a nice option because it gets you all the way to downtown San Francisco without requiring a transfer.
The most direct option for getting from Sacramento to SFO is to take a Greyhound bus from Sacramento to the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, then take a short walk to BART’s Embarcadero Station, where you can catch the Yellow Line to San Francisco International Airport. The total travel time will be around 3 hours.

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 121 kilometers from Sacramento to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 5 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

Because many passengers travel from Sacramento to San Francisco at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Sacramento to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from Sacramento 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 Sacramento to San Francisco without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Sacramento to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $33.68.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

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 Sacramento?

Main departure station: 420 Richards Blvd

Buses to San Francisco leave from 3 stations in Sacramento.

All bus stations in Sacramento:

  • 420 Richards Blvd

  • 961 2nd St

  • Univ - 65th St Light Rail Stn - 6740 Q St

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

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Sacramento?

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