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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Isla Vista. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Isla Vista usually takes around 9 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 195 mi (313 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $32.92 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Isla Vista?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to Isla Vista that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 7h 39m | $61.15 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 10h 18m | $54.45 |
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 5 trips per day from San Diego to Isla Vista, 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 1 bus trips from San Diego to Isla Vista every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Isla Vista usually start from $35.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 313 kilometers from San Diego to Isla Vista. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 25 minutes. 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.
Because many passengers travel from San Diego to Isla Vista 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, 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 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00am. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Isla Vista, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Isla Vista 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 San Diego to Isla Vista without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Diego to Isla Vista; ticket prices start at $65.89.
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to Isla Vista leave from 6 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
La Jolla - UC San Diego
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Isla Vista?
Main arrival station: UCSB Bus Loop
All buses from San Diego arrive at one main station in Isla Vista.
Bus stations in Isla Vista:
UCSB Bus Loop
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Need a return trip from Isla Vista to San Diego?
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