Cheap bus tickets from Irvine to San Diego
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Irvine to San Diego?
There are usually 18 daily train trips available from Irvine to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$23.68 | Avg. Price$26.50 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips18 |
Duration | Duration1h 37m | Duration1h 45m |
Bus from Irvine to San Diego: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Irvine to San Diego. Traveling by bus from Irvine to San Diego usually takes around one hour and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 15 minutes.
Distance | 76 mi (123 km) |
Shortest duration | 1h 15m |
Cheapest price | $18.98 |
Trips per day | 3 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
Bus lines | 1 |

How much is a bus ticket from Irvine to San Diego?
Bus tickets for a trip from Irvine to San Diego cost $19.77 on average. This is an excellent value for the 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
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 11 days in advance to save $4.63 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Irvine to San Diego?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Irvine to San Diego. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
FlixBus US | 3 | 1h 38m | $23.91 |
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 3 trips per day from Irvine to San Diego, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Irvine to San Diego
The bus takes an average of one hour and 37 minutes to cover the 76 miles from Irvine to San Diego. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 15 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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 Irvine to San Diego 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00am. To see the times for all buses from Irvine to San Diego, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Irvine to San Diego every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Irvine to San Diego without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Irvine to San Diego; ticket prices start at $26.00.
City Information
Irvine

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.
When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!
It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity buses or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.
San Diego



San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Irvine?
Main departure station: University of CA - Crawford Hall
Most buses depart from the main station in Irvine.
All bus stations in Irvine:
University of CA - Crawford Hall
Where does the bus arrive in San Diego?
Main arrival station: La Jolla - UC San Diego
Buses arrive in San Diego at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Diego:
La Jolla - UC San Diego
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Diego to Irvine?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Irvine
- Bus from Anaheim to Las Vegas
$43+
- Bakersfield to Los Angeles Bus
$15+
- Bus from Barstow to Las Vegas
$34+
- Fresno to Los Angeles
$43+
- Bus from Los Angeles to Phoenix
$58+
- Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
$32+
- Los Angeles to San Francisco Bus
$63+
- Los Angeles to San Jose Bus
$54+
- Bus from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
$44+
- Oakland to Los Angeles
$53+
- Palm Springs to Los Angeles Bus
$39+
- Bus from Sacramento to Los Angeles
$60+
- Bus from Sacramento to San Francisco
$24+
- San Diego to Los Angeles
$25+
- Bus from San Diego to Las Vegas
$57+
- Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
$59+
- Bus from San Francisco to Sacramento
$25+
- San Jose to Los Angeles Bus
$50+
Continue by bus from San Diego
Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.
- Bus Tickets
- United States
- California
- San Diego
- Irvine to San Diego