Cheap bus tickets from Salinas to San Jose
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Bus from Salinas to San Jose: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Salinas to San Jose. Travelling by bus from Salinas to San Jose usually takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 47 mi (76 km)
- Shortest duration
- 1h 10m
- Cheapest price
- CHF 45.93
- Trips per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Thruway
- Bus lines
- 1
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Salinas to San Jose Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salinas to San Jose?
There is usually 1 daily train trip available from Salinas to San Jose.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCHF 45.93 | Avg. PriceCHF 40.09Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration1h 15mFaster | Duration1h 33m |

There are several bus options that can take you from Salinas to San Jose:
See more detailsPrice trends for buses from Salinas to San Jose
Average bus ticket prices from Salinas to San Jose by travel date
Average bus ticket prices from Salinas to San Jose by month
Prices as travel date approaches
What bus companies travel from Salinas to San Jose?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Salinas to San Jose. Amtrak Thruway is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 1h 15m | CHF 45.93 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railways. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard washroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Salinas to San Jose start at CHF 45.93. On average, there is 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trip on this route every day.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Salinas to San Jose
There is usually only one bus per day from Salinas to San Jose. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Salinas to San Jose; ticket prices start at CHF 24.
Trips per day
1
Direct trips
1
The bus takes an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover the 76 kilometres from Salinas to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.
Distance (mi)
47
Distance (km)
76
There is usually only one bus per day from Salinas to San Jose. It leaves the station in Salinas at 7:20 p.m. each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
Earliest bus
3:25am
Latest bus
7:20pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Jose 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, 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.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Thursday
City Information
Salinas

Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighbourhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centres. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
San Jose



San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial centre.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Salinas?
Main departure station: 11 Station Pl
Most buses depart from the main station in Salinas.
All bus stations in Salinas:
- 11 Station Pl
Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?
Main arrival station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travellers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All bus stations in San Jose:
- Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Need a return trip from San Jose to Salinas?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
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