Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Irvine
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San Jose to Irvine Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Irvine?
There are usually 4 daily train trips from San Jose to Irvine.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$73.12 | Avg. PriceUS$111.47 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration12h 23m | Duration12h 43m |
Bus from San Jose to Irvine: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Irvine. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Irvine usually takes around 12 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 342 mi (550 km) |
| Shortest duration | 11h 25m |
| Cheapest price | US$42.47 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |

How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Irvine?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Irvine cost US$53.60 on average. Tickets cheaper than US$53.60 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price
Monthly avg. prices
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 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to US$52.86 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to Irvine?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Jose to Irvine that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 12h 37m | US$91.58 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 13h 1m | US$76.25 |
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 Jose to Irvine start at US$91. 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 2 trips per day from San Jose to Irvine, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Irvine
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 52 minutes to cover the 550 kilometers from San Jose to Irvine. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 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 Jose to Irvine 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Irvine, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Jose to Irvine. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Irvine; ticket prices start at US$90.00.
City Information
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.
Irvine

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.
When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!
It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity buses or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Jose?
Main departure station: Diridon Station
San Jose has two bus stations with service to Irvine.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Where does the bus arrive in Irvine?
Main arrival station: University of CA - Crawford Hall
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Irvine.
Bus stations in Irvine:
University of CA - Crawford Hall
Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Irvine to San Jose?
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