Travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles
There are a variety of ways to get from San Francisco to LA other than having to drive there yourself. Primary methods of travel include riding a coach, taking a train or flying. Deciding between these options will depend on what you value most between price, speed and comfort. Here is what you need to know:
Fastest time
9h 23m
Cheapest ticket
€49
Daily trips
31
Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Fares start at about $72, with 31 trains departing each day. Unfortunately, Amtrak doesn’t depart directly from San Francisco. Passengers will first take a coach to Emeryville, outside of Oakland, where they’ll transfer to a train.
This route is serviced by Amtrak Coast Starlight, one of the most scenic Amtrak routes in the country, with ocean views available for a significant portion of the ride.
Fastest time
7h 35m
Cheapest ticket
€4
Daily trips
16
With ticket prices as low as $6, and 16 trips departing throughout the day, traveling by coach between SF and LA is an easy, budget-friendly option.
The coach carriers servicing this route — Greyhound and Megacoach — offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, power outlets and on-board bathrooms. Both Greyhound and Megacoach also have direct overnight coach options, meaning you can fall asleep en route and wake up the next morning in Los Angeles.
Fastest time
1h 32m
Cheapest ticket
€50
Daily trips
171
With a typical travel time of about 1 hour for nonstop flights, taking a plane is definitely the quickest way to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
San Francisco International Airport suggests arriving 2 hours prior to your scheduled flight, so make sure you plan accordingly. SFO is located south of downtown San Francisco, about a 30-minute ride on the BARTA’s Yellow Line.
Fastest time
9h 23m
Cheapest ticket
€49
Daily trips
31
Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Fares start at about $72, with 31 trains departing each day. Unfortunately, Amtrak doesn’t depart directly from San Francisco. Passengers will first take a coach to Emeryville, outside of Oakland, where they’ll transfer to a train.
This route is serviced by Amtrak Coast Starlight, one of the most scenic Amtrak routes in the country, with ocean views available for a significant portion of the ride.
The distance between the two cities is about 347 miles, or 559 kilometers. Getting to LA from San Francisco can take anywhere from 1 hour 30 minutes to 11 hours, depending on the mode of transportation.
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