Cheap coach tickets from San Diego to Bakersfield
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San Diego to Bakersfield Coach Timetable
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Bakersfield?
There are usually 8 daily train trips from San Diego to Bakersfield.
Coach | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$58.07 | Avg. PriceUS$56.36 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips14 | Daily Trips8 |
Duration | Duration7h 22m | Duration7h 16m |
Coach from San Diego to Bakersfield: Journey Information
There are 16 intercity coaches per day from San Diego to Bakersfield. Traveling by coach from San Diego to Bakersfield usually takes around 7 hours and 6 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound coach can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 212 mi (341 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | US$30.47 |
| Trips per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Coach lines | 3 |
Coaches from San Diego to Bakersfield
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily coaches from US$37
- FlixBus US: 15 daily coaches from US$30
- Greyhound: 4 daily coaches from US$30
How much is a coach ticket from San Diego to Bakersfield?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Bakersfield cost US$48.37 on average. Tickets cheaper than US$48.37 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.
Average coach ticket prices from San Diego to Bakersfield by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from San Diego to Bakersfield is expected to be between US$43 and US$87. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is 18 November 2025, when tickets are available for 18 November 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just US$46.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 17 days in advance to save US$30.79 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What coach companies travel from San Diego to Bakersfield?
There are 3 bus lines from San Diego to Bakersfield available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 15 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:
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 6h 30m | US$37.00 |
| FlixBus US | 15 | 7h 24m | US$60.99 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 6h 50m | US$61.65 |
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 Bakersfield start at US$37. 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 15 trips per day from San Diego to Bakersfield, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 Bakersfield every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Bakersfield usually start from US$30.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by coach from San Diego to Bakersfield
The coach takes an average of 7 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 212 miles from San Diego to Bakersfield. However, the fastest coach only takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travelers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in Bakersfield. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first coach leaves at 06:00 and the last coach leaves at 19:00. To see the times for all coaches from San Diego to Bakersfield, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 16 scheduled coaches that travel from San Diego to Bakersfield every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 7 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Diego to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at US$54.00.
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.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.
As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.
On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.
To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Coaches to Bakersfield leave from 6 stations in San Diego.
All coach stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
La Jolla - UC San Diego
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Where does the coach arrive in Bakersfield?
Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
These are the two stations where coaches may stop when they arrive in Bakersfield.
Coach stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Bakersfield to San Diego?
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