Buses from San Diego to Oakland
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Journey Information
There are 13 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Oakland usually takes around 12 hours and 25 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 455 mi (731 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $39.98 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Oakland?
$58.61 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Diego to Oakland. Any tickets cheaper than $58.61 can be considered a great deal. 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.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from San Diego to Oakland is expected to range from $55 to $82. If you are looking to travel to Oakland within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $60. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $55 and can be found on June 2, 2022.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in August. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $47 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Diego to Oakland in March, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $66 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 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $22.19 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the 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, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 11 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 11 | 12h 19m | $64.51 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 12h 51m | $72.63 |
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 11 trips per day from San Diego to Oakland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound
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 2 bus trips from San Diego to Oakland every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Oakland usually start from $58.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by bus from San Diego to Oakland 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 Oakland?
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 25 minutes to cover the 455 miles from San Diego to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 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.
What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?
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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday 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 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Oakland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
How many bus schedules are there most days?
There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Oakland every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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 $62.00.
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.
Oakland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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: 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Buses to Oakland leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Westfield UTC Mall
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Bus Terminal - 1313 National Ave
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Oakland?
Main arrival station: W Oakland BART Station
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Oakland.
All bus stations in Oakland:
W Oakland BART Station
Bus Terminal - 2103 San Pablo Ave
Need a return trip from Oakland to San Diego?
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