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Cheap bus tickets from Riverside to Fresno

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Riverside to Fresno Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Riverside to Fresno?

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Riverside to Fresno.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$65.24
Avg. Price
$63.83
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
9h 7m
Duration
8h 26m

Bus from Riverside to Fresno: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Riverside to Fresno. Traveling by bus from Riverside to Fresno usually takes around 8 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance235 mi (378 km)
Shortest duration7h 25m
Cheapest price$29.47
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from Riverside to Fresno?

Bus tickets for a trip from Riverside to Fresno cost $29.47 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 Riverside to Fresno by month

$100$80$60$40$20DJFMAMJJASON
Taking the bus from Riverside to Fresno is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $46. If you're planning to take the bus from Riverside to Fresno during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $86. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 20 days in advance to save up to $44.30.

What bus companies travel from Riverside to Fresno?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Riverside to Fresno that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway27h 28m$54.00
FlixBus US38h 57m$70.92
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Riverside to Fresno start at $54. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • 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 Riverside to Fresno, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Riverside to Fresno

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 235 miles from Riverside to Fresno. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 25 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 Riverside to Fresno 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Riverside to Fresno, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Riverside to Fresno 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 Riverside to Fresno; ticket prices start at $54.00.

City Information

Riverside

Riverside, CA - RIV-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Riverside, CA - RIV-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Riverside, CA - RIV-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!

Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!

Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Riverside?

Main departure station: UC Parking Lot 30 - 900 Martin Luther King BLVD

Riverside has two bus stations with service to Fresno.

All bus stations in Riverside:

  • UC Parking Lot 30 - 900 Martin Luther King BLVD

  • Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St

Where does the bus arrive in Fresno?

Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St  - FNOAMT-0

Image credit: Ron Reiring

Link to image attribution
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St  - FNOAMT-1

Image credit: Mattias Thorslund

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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

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