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There are 29 intercity buses per day from San Jose to San Diego. Traveling by bus from San Jose to San Diego usually takes around 12 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 416 mi (670 km) |
| Shortest duration | 9h 30m |
| Cheapest price | US$32.48 |
| Trips per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Overall score for buses from San Jose to San Diego
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: On time. Cons: Nothing yet. Tips: Put WiFi.
3.0
Plug was broken for charging We were an hour late coming into LA so nearly missed connection and driver didn’t seem to care... Should be able to communicate with depo somehow to say we are close etc
US$54.96 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Jose to San Diego. Any tickets cheaper than US$54.96 can be considered a great deal. 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.
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from San Jose to San Diego is expected to range from US$56 to US$69. If you are looking to travel to San Diego within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from US$56. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are US$56 and can be found on 15 April 2024.
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in June. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just US$65 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Jose to San Diego in November, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to US$95 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
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 18 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save US$77.02 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to San Diego available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 19 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:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 19 | 13h 30m | US$91.21 |
| Greyhound | 10 | 12h 34m | US$65.82 |
| Tufesa Internacional | 2 | 10h 8m | US$85.00 |
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 19 trips per day from San Jose to San Diego, 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 10 bus trips from San Jose to San Diego every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Diego usually start from US$32.
Tufesa Internacional is the international brand of one of the largest ground transportation providers in Mexico, Tufesa. The carrier offers daily bus trips to and from several cities in the Southwestern United States, including cross-border trips between the U.S. and Mexico. On average, Tufesa Internacional runs 2 from San Jose to San Diego, with prices starting from US$85. The carrier’s fleet features modern coaches equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, such as onboard restrooms, reclining seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and a digital entertainment system.
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 29 minutes to cover the 670 kilometers from San Jose to San Diego. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 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 bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in San Diego. 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, 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 00:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to San Diego, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 29 scheduled buses that travel from San Jose to San Diego every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 6 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 San Jose to San Diego; ticket prices start at US$66.00.
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.
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.
Buses to San Diego leave from 4 stations in San Jose.
Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
Diridon Station
1160 SANTA CLARA STREET
440 S King Rd
Buses arrive in San Diego at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
La Jolla - UC San Diego
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Ysidro CA
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
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.
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