Cheap bus tickets from Bakersfield to San Francisco
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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 12 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 251 mi (404 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $49.47 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
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Bakersfield to San Francisco Bus Schedule
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$85.67 | Avg. Price$64.25Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration12h 13m | Duration6h 34mFaster |
There are several bus options that can take you from Bakersfield to San Francisco:
- Greyhound: 3 daily buses from $46
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $45
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $50
How much is a bus ticket from Bakersfield to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Bakersfield to San Francisco cost $50.00 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.00 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Bakersfield to San Francisco by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $50 to $111. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 26, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $67.
Average bus ticket prices from Bakersfield to San Francisco by month
Taking the bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco is usually cheapest in May, when the average ticket price is only $59. If you're planning to take the bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $105. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $64.76 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 3 | 11h 57m | $99.36 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 12h 10m | $87.04 |
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 12h 55m | $50.00 |
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 3 bus trips from Bakersfield to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $45.97.
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 2 trips per day from Bakersfield to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only $87.04.
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 $50. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Bakersfield to San Francisco
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. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Bakersfield to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $63.
Trips per day
6
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 251 miles from Bakersfield to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 10 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.
Distance (mi)
251
Distance (km)
404
The first bus leaves at 2:15am and the last bus leaves at 8:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Bakersfield to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
2:15am
Latest bus
8:50pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Francisco 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Monday
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
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
- San Francisco, California
- Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Bakersfield?
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