Cheap bus tickets from Fresno to San Francisco
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Fresno to San Francisco Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Fresno to San Francisco?
There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Fresno to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$46.81 | Avg. Price$45.42 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips7 |
Duration | Duration9h 13m | Duration4h 38m |
Bus from Fresno to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Fresno to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Fresno to San Francisco usually takes around 8 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 162 mi (261 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $30.47 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Fresno to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Fresno to San Francisco cost $36.08 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.
Average bus ticket prices from Fresno to San Francisco by travel date
Bus tickets from Fresno to San Francisco are expected to cost between $37 and $62 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to San Francisco within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $37. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 19 days in advance to save $32.84 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Fresno to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Fresno to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 10h 5m | $55.73 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 7h 30m | $56.60 |
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 Fresno 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 1 bus trips from Fresno to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $31.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Fresno to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 59 minutes to cover the 162 miles from Fresno to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 30 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 Fresno 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Fresno to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Fresno 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 Fresno to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $44.00.
City Information
Fresno
Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.
Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.
Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s Gold Runner line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.
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 Fresno?
Image credit: Ron Reiring
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Mattias Thorslund
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
The Santa Fe Station is a historic train station and transportation hub in Fresno. The station opened in 1899 and was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway, hence the misleading “Santa Fe” name for a station in Fresno. Passengers can board the Amtrak Gold Runner train to Oakland, Sacramento, or Bakersfield from this station, and bus service from Amtrak Thruway and Jefferson Lines also stops at this location. The Santa Fe station is just steps away from Fresno’s City Hall, the Meux Home Museum, and the Fresno Convention Center, making this station a convenient entry point to Fresno.
All bus stations in Fresno:
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
CSU Shaw and Cedar Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
All buses from Fresno arrive at one main station in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
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Need a return trip from San Francisco to Fresno?
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