Cheap bus tickets from New York to San Francisco
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from New York to San Francisco?
There are usually 1 daily train trips from New York to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$293.55 | Avg. Price$563.50 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips20 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration3d 11h 3m | Duration3d 7h 43m |
Bus from New York to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 18 intercity buses per day from New York to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from New York to San Francisco usually takes around 83 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 72 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 2566 mi (4129 km) |
| Shortest duration | 72h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $176.39 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from New York to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from New York to San Francisco cost $213.54 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to San Francisco. 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 New York to San Francisco by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from New York to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $215 to $538. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 4, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $262.
Monthly avg. prices
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 $585.48.
What bus companies travel from New York to San Francisco?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from New York to San Francisco. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 18 | 3d 11h 28m | $553.90 |
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 18 trips per day from New York to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from New York to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 83 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 4129 kilometers from New York to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 72 hours and 45 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from New York to San Francisco for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 San Francisco, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from New York to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 18 scheduled buses that travel from New York to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from New York to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $402.78.
City Information
New York
New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.
NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.
With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in New York?
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 300-310 W 31 St (SW Corner of 31st & 8th Ave)
Buses to San Francisco leave from 4 stations in New York.
All bus stations in New York:
300-310 W 31 St (SW Corner of 31st & 8th Ave)
Chinatown - 28 Allen St (eastside b/w Hester and Canal St)
New York W 34th St & 12th Ave
145 Canal St
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
Bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
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Need a return trip from San Francisco to New York?
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