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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland usually takes around 7 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 196 mi (315 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $35.85 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Oakland?
$36.81 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in January. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $45 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Luis Obispo to Oakland in March, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $74 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 27 days in advance to save up to $26.96.
What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Oakland?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. FlixBus US 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 7h 47m | $54.71 |
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 1 trips per day from San Luis Obispo to Oakland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 47 minutes to cover the 315 kilometers from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 50 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.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Oakland, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. It leaves the station in San Luis Obispo at 10:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. 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 San Luis Obispo to Oakland; ticket prices start at $47.93.
City Information
San Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
Oakland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: San Luis Obispo Bus Station
Buses to Oakland leave from 3 stations in San Luis Obispo.
All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
1011 Railroad Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Oakland?
Image credit: Pi.1415926535
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: West Oakland Bart Station
The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Bus stations in Oakland:
West Oakland Bart Station
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