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Cheap bus tickets from Chico to San Francisco

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Chico to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chico to San Francisco?

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Chico to San Francisco.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$48.85

Avg. Price

$48.29

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

2

Daily Trips

5

Duration

Duration

6h 25m

Duration

5h 31m

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Bus from Chico to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Chico to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Chico to San Francisco usually takes around 6 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance139 mi (223 km)
Shortest duration5h 10m
Cheapest price$29.98
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

How much is a bus ticket from Chico to San Francisco?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chico to San Francisco cost $31.23 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15DJFMAMJJASON
Bus tickets from Chico to San Francisco are at their cheapest average price in January. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $51. On the other hand, traveling on this route during July might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for July trips cost $64, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

What bus companies travel from Chico to San Francisco?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Chico to San Francisco. FlixBus US is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US26h 29m$60.59
  • 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 Chico to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chico to San Francisco

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 139 miles from Chico to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 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.

Because many passengers travel from Chico to San Francisco at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00am. To see the times for all buses from Chico to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Chico to San Francisco. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chico to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $35.00.

City Information

Chico

Chico is the largest city in California north of Sacramento, as well as the cultural and economic heart of the northern Sacramento Valley. In addition, the city is a college town, home to California State University.

Chico is a California city famed for its world-famous golf course, wooded paths popular with hikers and environmental enthusiasts, and the massive Bidwell Park. If you're visiting Chico, you can't miss Bidwell Park, which spans 2500 acres of natural beauty.

Chico has the most fantastic steakhouse at the 5th Street Steakhouse. The highly recommended Unwined Kitchen & Bar is only two blocks away, serving the best bar food and drinks. There is no shortage of nightlife in Chico, the best cocktail bar (Duffy's Tavern) is only 100m away from central Chico, and if you are craving a club, The Beach Nightclub is the best option.

Amtrak has one of the major train stations in Chico, with service to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and more. For buses, Jefferson Lines offers routes from cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Sacramento to Chico.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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 Chico?

Main departure station: 450 Orange St

Most buses depart from the main station in Chico.

All bus stations in Chico:

  • 450 Orange St

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

  • 700 Beach Street

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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. 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.