5.0
December 30, 2019 - Visiting family
Megabus
4.0
December 16, 2019 - Visiting family
Megabus
4.0
4.0
5.0
Cheapest price | $37.00 |
Shortest Duration | 6h 30m |
Trips per day | 7 |
Bus lines | 3 |
The best way to travel from LA to San Jose is by bus because it’s the cheapest option. Bus tickets for this route average about $38, whereas train tickets are around $60, and plane tickets average more than $100.
While flying is the fastest option, with nonstop trips taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes, you have to factor in the additional time getting to the airport and passing through security. Between bus and train, the average bus trip is actually quicker than the average train trip by about 2 hours.
Balancing price and travel time, traveling by bus is the best overall option.
Depending on what you have planned, San Jose can be a great destination for a family vacation. The travel time would be the hardest part, since the bus trip averages about 7 hours. But if you’re prepared with snacks and travel games, then the trip is well worth it.
The Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is an excellent spot to take the kids. The museum includes art activities, cooking classes, a theater and even a mini mammoth cave you can explore. If you’re looking for free activities, there are many parks you can visit as well, such as Alum Rock Park and the Hellyer County Park.
One thing worth noting is that San Jose is a pretty pricey town, so you may need to do more advanced planning if you want to travel on a budget.
We stand behind CDC guidelines that caution passengers against non-essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak. That said, we recognize not everyone is in a position to completely abstain. Whether it’s for work, to take care of family or to get back home, some circumstances inevitably require travel. If you’re one of those individuals who still needs to book a trip, you can continue to do so on Wanderu.
Know that most bus companies are still running at this time, though some have limited service. Visit our COVID-19 travel guide for resources and daily updates on the coronavirus and COVID travel restrictions.
In order to keep vehicles as clean and sanitized as possible, bus companies are taking extra precautions for coronavirus. For details on what various companies are doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Based on daily average prices in last 30 days, $47.48 was the low point for bus fares from Los Angeles to San Jose. Buses from San Jose to Los Angeles are similarly priced. Any tickets cheaper than $47.48 could be considered a great deal.
The best way to find cheap deals on bus tickets is by booking as early as possible, since most bus companies increase the price as the travel date approaches. You should book at least 3 days in advance. By doing so, you could save $7.38 on your ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
The bus usually takes around 8 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 305 miles (492 kilometers) from Los Angeles, CA to San Jose, CA. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 30 minutes. The trip is definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable on the bus. It's a good idea to bring water and snacks.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Los Angeles to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Los Angeles to San Jose every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 6 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 Los Angeles to San Jose; ticket prices start at $50.00.
There are 3 bus lines from Los Angeles, California to San Jose, California. With 6 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 | 8h 41m | $51.89 |
Greyhound | 6 | 7h 38m | $45.29 |
Tufesa Internacional | 3 | 7h 45m | $55.00 |
Buses to San Jose leave from multiple locations in Los Angeles, California. These are the 5 most popular bus stations:
Buses arrive in San Jose at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with. These are the main bus stations in San Jose, California:
Overall score for buses from Los Angeles, CA to San Jose, CA
(Based on 11 ratings and reviews)
5.0
December 30, 2019 - Visiting family
Megabus
4.0
December 16, 2019 - Visiting family
Megabus
4.0
4.0
5.0
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more