Buses from San Diego to Irvine
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Irvine. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Irvine usually takes around 2 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 76 mi (123 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $12.99 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Irvine?
$16.24 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Diego to Irvine. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in September. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $13 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Diego to Irvine in April, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $18 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 13 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $6.00 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Irvine?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Diego to Irvine. 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 | 8 | 2h 44m | $18.11 |
FlixBus US
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 8 trips per day from San Diego to Irvine, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by bus from San Diego to Irvine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all bus passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the bus.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
How long is the bus ride from San Diego to Irvine?
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 76 miles from San Diego to Irvine. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 10 minutes. 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.
What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?
Because many passengers travel from San Diego to Irvine 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, 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 San Diego?
The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Irvine, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
How many bus departures serve Irvine each day?
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Irvine every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 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 Irvine; ticket prices start at $26.25.
City Information
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.
Irvine
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.
When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!
It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity buses or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: Westfield UTC Mall
Buses to Irvine leave from 5 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
Westfield UTC Mall
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Irvine?
Main arrival station: University of CA - Crawford Hall
All buses from San Diego arrive at one main station in Irvine.
All bus stations in Irvine:
University of CA - Crawford Hall
Need a return trip from Irvine to San Diego?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Diego
Continue by bus from Irvine
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 and with no additional fees. 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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more