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Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Los Angeles

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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San Diego to Los Angeles Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 45 daily train trips available from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$33.49
Avg. Price
$37.62
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
142
Daily Trips
45
Duration
Duration
4h 50m
Duration
3h 32m

Bus from San Diego to Los Angeles: Journey Information

There are 155 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Los Angeles. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Los Angeles usually takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance111 mi (179 km)
Shortest duration2h 15m
Cheapest price$21.99
Trips per day119
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines6

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Diego to Los Angeles

(Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

April

March 16, 2024- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Smooth, seamless, on time, economical, and comfortable

5.0

Bernadette

February 22, 2024- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: Very affordable. The majority of the ride was very scenic. A very friendly employee chatted with me until the bus came & I had got there extremely early. Cons: It would be very helpful to have some Flixbus signage at the stop. Nobody was sure that they were waiting in the right place. Also, it would be nice for the employee to have shelter & someplace to sit. Tips: Look for the guy in the hi-vis vest who will let you know that you're in the right spot.

5.0

Larisa

November 23, 2022- Solo travel

Greyhound

its been my first time to go with you on this trip and its just freaking awesome!

5.0

Paul

October 7, 2022- Visiting friends

OurBus

The driver was so great

5.0

Richard

March 5, 2020- Business

Greyhound

Pros: Got me there without needing to drive. Cons: It was alittle difficult knowing how to get to the airport after the initial bus. No one seemd to know how to get tot the airport so I took a taxi. Tips: Maybe do a little more research to know how to moev on tot he next part of the journey :-).

San Diego to Los Angeles Route Map

San Diego Los Angeles
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How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Los Angeles?

A trip from San Diego to Los Angeles via bus will cost $35.05 on average. Choosing to go by bus is a budget-friendly way to travel this route. Booking earlier using Wanderu can help you find bus tickets of equal or cheaper prices.

Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Los Angeles by travel date

$45$30$15DecDec
January offers the lowest average price for bus tickets from San Diego to Los Angeles at around $25 per ticket. Conversely, traveling in March is pricier as average bus ticket prices increase to $36. Want in on our little secret? Booking in advance can help you score better ticket prices.

Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Los Angeles by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND
In the coming four weeks, bus tickets will cost around $31 to $39 to travel from San Diego to Los Angeles. If your trip is within the next week, you can expect to find the cheapest bus tickets starting from about $35.05. As your travel date approaches, the bus prices will increase. It’s best to book your tickets in advance to avoid paying higher prices.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100
Planning ahead is your ticket to saving money on bus tickets! You can avoid price hikes by booking your tickets early as your travel date nears. Secure your seats at least 29 days in advance and save an additional $4.34 or more compared to last-minute bookings.

What bus companies travel from San Diego to Los Angeles?

There are 6 bus lines from San Diego to Los Angeles available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 78 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway18h 20m$25.68
Autobuses Monarca24h 53m$48.27
FlixBus US783h 55m$37.21
Greyhound224h 43m$39.40
Los Limousines496h 40m$34.93
Tufesa Internacional53h 22m$40.00

  • 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 San Diego to Los Angeles start at $25. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Los Angeles from $48. There are 2 trips per day offered by Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Los Angeles and you can expect on average to pay for a Autobuses Monarca ticket to Los Angeles. In San Diego, Autobuses Monarca departs to Los Angeles from San Ysidro CA . In Los Angeles, Autobuses Monarca arrives at 1234 Laurel Canyon Blvd and one other station.

    An average trip on Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Los Angeles takes 4 hours and 53 minutes , while the fastest available Autobuses Monarca trip will get you to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Autobuses Monarca offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Los Angeles.

  • 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 78 trips per day from San Diego to Los Angeles, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 22 bus trips from San Diego to Los Angeles every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 43 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Los Angeles usually start from $22.

  • Book Los Limousines from San Diego to Los Angeles from $30. There are 49 trips per day offered by Los Limousines from San Diego to Los Angeles and you can expect on average to pay for a Los Limousines ticket to Los Angeles. In San Diego, Los Limousines departs to Los Angeles from Cross Border Xpress CBX and one other station. In Los Angeles, Los Limousines arrives at Los Angeles Bus Station and one other station.

    An average trip on Los Limousines from San Diego to Los Angeles takes 6 hours and 40 minutes , while the fastest available Los Limousines trip will get you to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Los Limousines offers 50 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Los Angeles.

  • Tufesa Internacional is the international brand of one of the largest ground transportation providers in Mexico, Tufesa. The carrier offers daily bus trips to and from several cities in the Southwestern United States, including cross-border trips between the U.S. and Mexico. On average, Tufesa Internacional runs 5 from San Diego to Los Angeles, with prices starting from $40. The carrier’s fleet features modern coaches equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, such as onboard restrooms, reclining seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and a digital entertainment system.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Los Angeles

If you don’t mind a slightly longer journey, traveling by bus from San Diego to LA offers an affordable option. Although a one-way flight from San Diego to Los Angeles will take an hour, you must reach the airport at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before your flight. This additional time increases your total travel to at least 2 hours 30 minutes. Moreover, you can expect to pay an average cost of $150, which may or may not include luggage. Not to mention the extra carbon emmissions.

Opting for a drive from San Diego to Los Angeles will take at least 2 hours and 30 minutes, if you happen to avoid LA's famous traffic nightmare. Plus, it'll end up costing you more money to pay for gas and tolls on California State Route 73.

With bus tickets costing as little as $25 per ticket and a traveling time of 3 to 4 hours, taking the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles makes an excellent option for travelers who aren’t in a rush!

Greyhound and Tufesa Internacional are bus providers for this route. Greyhound operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s advisable to arrive 20 minutes early to make sure you can secure a favorable seat. If you prefer a hassle-free seating arrangement, Tufesa Internacional assigns seats upon purchase. You cannot choose your seats, but a specific seat will be reserved for you.

The usual travel duration from San Diego to Los Angeles by bus is around 4 hours, but the quickest bus gets you there in only 2 hours and 15 minutes. This provides a fantastic opportunity to kick back and relax during your journey. Please note arrival times may fluctuate based on traffic conditions.

The buses are usually crowded on Friday as travelers travel to Los Angeles for the weekend. With this day being popular with travelers, tickets may sell out, and it is best that you book your tickets well in advance.

If you have more flexibility Tuesday is typically a better day to travel as there is a lesser crowd. You’ll have more elbow room and likely a cheaper ticket!

For the San Diego to Los Angeles route, the earliest bus departs at 5 am, while the last bus leaves at 8 pm. Be sure to search for your travel dates to access all bus timings, as schedules are subject to change.

There are 155 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Los Angeles every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 119 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 Los Angeles; ticket prices start at $25.00.

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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?

Main departure station: La Jolla - UC San Diego

Buses to Los Angeles leave from 11 stations in San Diego.

All bus stations in San Diego:

  • La Jolla - UC San Diego

  • Cross Border Xpress CBX

  • San Ysidro Transit Center

  • 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)

  • San Ysidro Bus Terminal

  • San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop

  • San Ysidro CA

  • 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village

  • Balboa Park - Presidents Way

  • SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave

  • Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd

Where does the bus arrive in Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: Los Angeles Bus Station

Buses arrive in Los Angeles at 13 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Los Angeles:

  • Los Angeles Bus Station

  • 800 N Alameda St

  • North Hollywood Bus Station

  • San Fernando Bus Station

  • Los Angeles Un Station Arrival

  • 10413 Laurel Canyon Blvd Pacoima

  • Downtown - Vignes Lot

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • USC - 3492 S Hope St

  • 611 Maple Ave

  • West LA - Expo/Sepulveda

  • 1234 Laurel Canyon Blvd

  • 1716 7th Street

Get around town with Moovit

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