chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Salinas to San Francisco

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Salinas to San Francisco Bus Schedule

Bus from Salinas to San Francisco: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Salinas to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Salinas to San Francisco usually takes around 2 hours, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.

Distance87 mi (139 km)
Shortest duration2h 0m
Cheapest price$25.98
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

How much is a bus ticket from Salinas to San Francisco?

Bus tickets for a trip from Salinas to San Francisco cost $29.98 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 Salinas to San Francisco by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Salinas to San Francisco, mark your calendar for September. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $27. However, taking the bus from Salinas to San Francisco during December is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $38. The best way to find deals on a trip in December is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 19 days in advance to save up to $22.50.

What bus companies travel from Salinas to San Francisco?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Salinas to San Francisco. FlixBus US is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US12h 0m$42.31
  • 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 1 trips per day from Salinas to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Salinas to San Francisco

The bus takes an average of 2 hours to cover the 87 miles from Salinas to San Francisco. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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 Francisco. 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.

There is usually only one bus per day from Salinas to San Francisco. It leaves the station in Salinas at 6:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

There is usually only one bus per day from Salinas to San Francisco. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Salinas to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $32.00.

City Information

Salinas

Salinas, CA, US - SNS-0

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 Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

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 Francisco?

Main arrival station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

All buses from Salinas arrive at one main station in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Salinas?

Search Bus Tickets

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.