Cheap bus tickets from Bakersfield to San Francisco
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Bakersfield to San Francisco?
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Bakersfield to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€47.06 | Avg. Price€51.79 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration9h 32m | Duration6h 37m |
Bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from Bakersfield to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco usually takes around 9 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 251 mi (404 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 35m |
| Cheapest price | €29.47 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Bakersfield to San Francisco
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from €45
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from €29
- Greyhound: 4 daily buses from €29
What bus companies travel from Bakersfield to San Francisco?
There are 3 bus lines from Bakersfield to San Francisco available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Greyhound 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 13h 41m | €44.68 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 5h 49m | €40.40 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 9h 32m | €50.38 |
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 Bakersfield to San Francisco start at €45. 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 1 trips per day from Bakersfield to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus 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 Bakersfield to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from €29.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 251 miles from Bakersfield to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 35 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 Francisco. 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, 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 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Bakersfield to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Bakersfield to San Francisco 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 Bakersfield to San Francisco; ticket prices start at €50.93.
City Information
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.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Bakersfield?
Main departure station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Bakersfield has two bus stations with service to San Francisco.
All bus stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
San Francisco, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Bakersfield?
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