México
Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Oakland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from San Diego to Oakland: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Oakland usually takes around 12 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 455 mi (731 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $63.47 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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
San Diego to Oakland Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Oakland?
There are usually 12 daily train trips available from San Diego to Oakland.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$138.26 | Avg. Price$109.92Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips12 |
Duration | Duration12h 21mFaster | Duration14h 22m |
There are several bus options that can take you from San Diego to Oakland:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Oakland?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Oakland cost $93.98 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Oakland by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Oakland in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $73 to $110. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Oakland this week, bus tickets are available starting at $90.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Oakland by month
Taking the bus from San Diego to Oakland is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $89. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to Oakland during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $160. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $83.31 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Oakland?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to Oakland that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 4 | 11h 16m | $118.60 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 12h 55m | $148.74 |
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 4 trips per day from San Diego to Oakland, and the average ticket for this route costs only $118.60.
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 3 bus trips from San Diego to Oakland every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Oakland usually start from $61.47.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Oakland
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Oakland 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 Oakland; ticket prices start at $68.
Trips per day
6
Direct trips
5
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 21 minutes to cover the 455 miles from San Diego to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 35 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)
455
Distance (km)
731
The first bus leaves at 4:55am and the last bus leaves at 10:35pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Oakland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
4:55am
Latest bus
10:35pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Oakland at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Saturday
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.
Oakland
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to Oakland leave from 5 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
- San Ysidro Transit Center
- San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- La Jolla - UC San Diego
- 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
- 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Where does the bus arrive in Oakland?
Main arrival station: West Oakland Bart Station
The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
All bus stations in Oakland:
- West Oakland Bart Station
Need a return trip from Oakland to San Diego?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Diego
Continue by bus from Oakland
Check out these popular routes
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.