Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to San Jose
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to San Jose?
There are usually 8 daily train trips from San Diego to San Jose.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$99.47 | Avg. Price$157.37 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips12 | Daily Trips8 |
Duration | Duration12h 5m | Duration12h 55m |
Bus from San Diego to San Jose: Journey Information
There are 14 intercity buses per day from San Diego to San Jose. Traveling by bus from San Diego to San Jose usually takes around 11 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 416 mi (670 km) |
| Shortest duration | 9h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $58.95 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 4 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to San Jose?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to San Jose cost $92.78 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 San Diego to San Jose by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to San Jose in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $83 to $158. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on January 30, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to San Jose this week, bus tickets are available starting at $83.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to San Jose by month
Prices as travel date approaches
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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $83.30 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to San Jose?
There are 4 bus lines from San Diego to San Jose available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 11 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 17h 0m | $149.01 |
| FlixBus US | 11 | 12h 25m | $139.01 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 11h 13m | $117.10 |
| Tufesa Internacional | 2 | 10h 35m | $125.18 |
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 railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from San Diego to San Jose start at $148. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
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 San Diego to San Jose, 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 4 bus trips from San Diego to San Jose every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Jose usually start from $59.
Tufesa Internacional is the international brand of one of the largest ground transportation providers in Mexico, Tufesa. The carrier offers daily bus trips to and from several cities in the Southwestern United States, including cross-border trips between the U.S. and Mexico. On average, Tufesa Internacional runs 2 from San Diego to San Jose, with prices starting from $125. The carrier’s fleet features modern coaches equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, such as onboard restrooms, reclining seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and a digital entertainment system.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to San Jose
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 44 minutes to cover the 670 kilometers from San Diego to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 20 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 San Jose 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 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to San Jose every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 San Diego to San Jose; ticket prices start at $100.72.
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.
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 center.
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 San Diego?
Main departure station: 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Buses to San Jose leave from 9 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
La Jolla - UC San Diego
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
San Ysidro CA
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?
Main arrival station: Diridon Station
Buses arrive in San Jose at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
Bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
440 S King Rd
San Jose, Ca. Fronteras
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Jose to San Diego?
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