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Find bus tickets from Los Angeles to San Jose

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Los Angeles-San Jose Bus Schedule

Bus
$45.00
9:25 PM
North Hollywood Bus Station
6:25 AM+1Arrives Fri, Jan 22, 2021
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
GLI
1 transfer
Bus
$45.00
11:30 PM
Bus Terminal - 1716 E 7th St
6:25 AM+1Arrives Fri, Jan 22, 2021
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
GLI
0 transfers
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Bus
$45.00
11:45 PM
North Hollywood Bus Station
6:25 AM+1Arrives Fri, Jan 22, 2021
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
GLI
1 transfer
Bus
$46.00
11:50 PM
Union Station
6:25 AM+1Arrives Fri, Jan 22, 2021
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
GLI
0 transfers
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Journey Information

Los Angeles to San Jose bus - cost & duration

Cheapest price$37.00
Shortest Duration6h 30m
Trips per day7
Bus lines3

Buses from Los Angeles to San Jose

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to travel from L.A to San Jose?

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.

Is there a direct bus from L.A to San Jose?

Out of the 36 daily buses that depart Los Angeles for San Jose, 29 of those are direct options that do not require a transfer. Greyhound offers the most direct trips of any bus company on this route.

Is L.A to San Jose a good family vacation?

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.

Is it safe to travel by bus from Los Angeles to San Jose right now?

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.

How much is a bus ticket from Los Angeles to San Jose?

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.

How long is the bus ride?

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.

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

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.

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Los Angeles?

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.

How many buses are there each day?

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.

What bus companies travel from Los Angeles to San Jose?

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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway18h 41m$51.89
Greyhound67h 38m$45.29
Tufesa Internacional37h 45m$55.00

Where does the bus leave from in Los Angeles?

Buses to San Jose leave from multiple locations in Los Angeles, California. These are the 5 most popular bus stations:

  • North Hollywood Bus Station
  • Union Station
  • Bus Terminal - 1716 E 7th St
  • 592 Gayley Ave
  • 611 Maple Ave

Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?

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:

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
  • 1642 Story Rd
  • 1118 E William St

Price trends for buses from Los Angeles to San Jose

Average prices by travel date

$60$40$20JanFeb

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10FMAMJJASONDJ

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Los Angeles, CA to San Jose, CA

(Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Nataly

December 30, 2019 - Visiting family

Megabus

on the second floor behind the driver were very dirty windowson the second floor behind the driver were very dirty windows

4.0

Neha

December 16, 2019 - Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: It was well-paced and the driver was really nice! Cons: The bus should have USB ports for chargers. In addition, it would be nice to have more spacious seats. Pros: It was well-paced and the driver was really nice! Cons: The bus should have USB ports for chargers. In addition, it would be nice to have more spacious seats.

4.0

Ellen

December 2, 2019 - Solo travel

Greyhound

Restroom should have hand sanitizerRestroom should have hand sanitizer

4.0

Gabriel

December 1, 2019 - Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: I like that there were movies to watch on the trip, the bus was clean, that it had charging plug ins & that the bus driver was very communicative. I also liked that there's cup holders (although on this trip they were ripped on my seat). Cons: It would be nice i... Pros: I like that there were movies to watch on the trip, the bus was clean, that it had charging plug ins & that the bus driver was very communicative. I also liked that there's cup holders (although on this trip they were ripped on my seat). Cons: It would be nice if the seats had food trays so when we bring food onboard we can put it on there instead of balancing it on our laps. The wifi was working for a little, but then it stopped so it would be nice to have more reliable wifi.More

5.0

Avital

November 4, 2019 - Business

Greyhound

Pros: Everything was great. Cons: May be time of arrival. Tips: Make sure your bag is not more than 50 pounds they weight the bag. Pros: Everything was great. Cons: May be time of arrival. Tips: Make sure your bag is not more than 50 pounds they weight the bag.

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