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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Jose to Santa Cruz. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Cruz usually takes around 31 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 24 hours and 24 minutes.
| Distance | 26 mi (42 km) |
| Shortest duration | 24h 24m |
| Cheapest price | €40.10 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Santa Cruz?
€72.52 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Jose to Santa Cruz. Any tickets cheaper than €72.52 can be considered a good 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.
Monthly average prices
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. Booking in advance is the best way to find cheap bus tickets.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to Santa Cruz?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Jose to Santa Cruz. Amtrak Thruway 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 1d 7h 52m | €83.25 |
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 Jose to Santa Cruz start at €40. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 31 hours and 51 minutes to cover the 42 kilometers from San Jose to Santa Cruz. However, the fastest bus only takes 24 hours and 24 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Jose to Santa Cruz. It leaves the station in San Jose at 13:00 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 Jose to Santa Cruz. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Santa Cruz; ticket prices start at €239.65.
City Information
San Jose
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Jose?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Union Station
Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Union Station
592 Gayley Ave
Transportation Center
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
11 Station Pl
209 State Street
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
All buses from San Jose arrive at one main station in Santa Cruz.
Bus stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Cruz to San Jose?
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