5.0
Pros: Secur6was present and pleasant in Riverside, very comfortable...first bus trip pleastly supprised. Cons: Maybe seat back a little hard. Tips: Travel by bus.
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Riverside to Bakersfield. Traveling by bus from Riverside to Bakersfield usually takes around 8 hours and 25 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 135 mi (217 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 15m |
| Cheapest price | €22.62 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for buses from Riverside to Bakersfield
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a bus ticket from Riverside to Bakersfield?
€24.33 is the average price of a bus ticket from Riverside to Bakersfield. 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 €24 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Riverside to Bakersfield in June, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €39 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
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 22 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save €43.15 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Riverside to Bakersfield?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Riverside to Bakersfield that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 4h 18m | €23.22 |
| FlixBus US | 3 | 9h 22m | €58.98 |
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 Riverside to Bakersfield start at €23. On average, there are 2 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 3 trips per day from Riverside to Bakersfield, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 25 minutes to cover the 217 kilometers from Riverside to Bakersfield. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 15 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Bakersfield at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 05:00 and the last bus leaves at 11:00. To see the times for all buses from Riverside to Bakersfield, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Riverside to Bakersfield every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 Riverside to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at €25.44.
City Information
Riverside
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
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 bus leave from in Riverside?
Main departure station: UC Parking Lot 30 - 900 Martin Luther King BLVD
Riverside has two bus stations with service to Bakersfield.
All bus stations in Riverside:
UC Parking Lot 30 - 900 Martin Luther King BLVD
Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
Where does the bus arrive in Bakersfield?
Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bakersfield.
Bus stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop
Get around town with Moovit
Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Bakersfield. Download here
Need a return trip from Bakersfield to Riverside?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more