Cheap bus tickets from Salinas to San Diego
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salinas to San Diego?
There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Salinas to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$90.65 | Avg. Price$101.97 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips8 |
Duration | Duration15h 21m | Duration12h 54m |
Bus from Salinas to San Diego: Journey Information
There are 9 intercity buses per day from Salinas to San Diego. Traveling by bus from Salinas to San Diego usually takes around 15 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 10 minutes.
Distance | 374 mi (602 km) |
Shortest duration | 11h 10m |
Cheapest price | $59.96 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Salinas to San Diego?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Salinas 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 | 9 | 15h 21m | $103.93 |
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 9 trips per day from Salinas to San Diego, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Salinas to San Diego
The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 374 miles from Salinas to San Diego. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 hours and 10 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in San Diego. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 2:00pm and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Salinas to San Diego, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Salinas to San Diego 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 Salinas to San Diego; ticket prices start at $74.00.
City Information
Salinas

Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
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 Salinas?
Main departure station: 11 Station Pl
Most buses depart from the main station in Salinas.
All bus stations in Salinas:
11 Station Pl
Where does the bus arrive in San Diego?
Main arrival station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses arrive in San Diego at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
La Jolla - UC San Diego
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
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Need a return trip from San Diego to Salinas?
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- Salinas to San Diego