Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Bakersfield

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Bus from San Diego to Bakersfield: Journey Information

There are 17 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Bakersfield. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Bakersfield usually takes around 6 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance
212 mi (341 km)
Shortest duration
5h 15m
Cheapest price
$32.48
Trips per day
10
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
2

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San Diego to Bakersfield Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Bakersfield?

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Diego to Bakersfield.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$61.42Avg. Price$54.49Cheaper
Daily Trips17Daily Trips6
Duration6h 53mFasterDuration7h 5m
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How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Bakersfield?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Bakersfield cost $44.67 on average. Tickets cheaper than $44.67 are an excellent bargain. 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 San Diego to Bakersfield by travel date

$105$70$35OctOct

If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Bakersfield in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $41 to $96. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 28, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Bakersfield this week, bus tickets are available starting at $48.

Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Bakersfield by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from San Diego to Bakersfield is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $59. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to Bakersfield during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $72. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$1501020

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 17 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $28.48 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from San Diego to Bakersfield?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to Bakersfield that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 12 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US126h 56m$53.20
Greyhound56h 49m$71.11
  • 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 12 trips per day from San Diego to Bakersfield, and the average ticket for this route costs only $53.20.

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  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 5 bus trips from San Diego to Bakersfield every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 49 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Bakersfield usually start from $36.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Bakersfield

There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Bakersfield every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 10 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 San Diego to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at $54.

Trips per day

17

Direct trips

10

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 212 miles from San Diego to Bakersfield. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 15 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.

Distance (mi)

212

Distance (km)

341

The first bus leaves at 4:55am and the last bus leaves at 7:45pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Bakersfield, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

4:55am

Latest bus

7:45pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Diego to Bakersfield for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

San Diego

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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.

Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.

As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.

On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.

To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?

Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center

Buses to Bakersfield leave from 5 stations in San Diego.

All bus stations in San Diego:

  • San Ysidro Transit Center
  • La Jolla - UC San Diego
  • 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
  • San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
  • 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village

Where does the bus arrive in Bakersfield?

Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bakersfield.

All bus stations in Bakersfield:

  • 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
  • McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop

Need a return trip from Bakersfield to San Diego?

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