Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Riverside
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Bus from San Diego to Riverside: Journey Information
There are 18 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Riverside. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Riverside usually takes around 2 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Las Vegas Shuttles bus can make the trip in just one hour and 41 minutes.
| Distance | 87 mi (139 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 41m |
| Cheapest price | $22.98 |
| Trips per day | 17 |
| Most frequent service | Las Vegas Shuttles |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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San Diego to Riverside Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Riverside?
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Diego to Riverside.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$45.64 | Avg. Price$38.85Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips18 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration2h 13mFaster | Duration3h 49m |

There are several bus options that can take you from San Diego to Riverside:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Riverside?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Riverside cost $40.30 on average. Tickets cheaper than $40.30 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 Riverside by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Riverside in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $24 to $46. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 8, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Riverside this week, bus tickets are available starting at $44.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Riverside by month
Traveling from San Diego to Riverside by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $45 whenever you decide to travel.
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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $9.70 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Riverside?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to Riverside that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Las Vegas Shuttles usually offers more choice, with 12 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 6 | 3h 27m | $30.11 |
| Las Vegas Shuttles | 12 | 1h 51m | $50.37 |
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 6 trips per day from San Diego to Riverside, and the average ticket for this route costs only $30.11.






Book Las Vegas Shuttles from San Diego to Riverside from $47. There are 12 trips per day offered by Las Vegas Shuttles from San Diego to Riverside and you can expect on average to pay $50.37 for a Las Vegas Shuttles ticket to Riverside. In San Diego, Las Vegas Shuttles departs to Riverside from San Ysidro Bus Terminal and one other station. In Riverside, Las Vegas Shuttles arrives at Riverside East Alessandro Blvd and one other station.
An average trip on Las Vegas Shuttles from San Diego to Riverside takes 1 hours and 51 minutes, while the fastest available Las Vegas Shuttles trip will get you to Riverside in 1 hours and 41 minutes.
On weekends, Las Vegas Shuttles offers 13 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $47 for a weekend trip to Riverside.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Riverside
There are 18 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Riverside every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 17 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 Riverside; ticket prices start at $34.
Trips per day
18
Direct trips
17
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 87 miles from San Diego to Riverside. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 41 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.
Distance (mi)
87
Distance (km)
139
The first bus leaves at 6:55am and the last bus leaves at 5:12pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Riverside, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
6:55am
Latest bus
5:12pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Diego to Riverside 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



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.
Riverside



Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Buses to Riverside leave from 5 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
- San Ysidro Bus Terminal
- 4055 University Ave
- San Ysidro Transit Center
- La Jolla - UC San Diego
- 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Where does the bus arrive in Riverside?
Main arrival station: Riverside East Alessandro Blvd
Buses arrive in Riverside at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Riverside:
- Riverside East Alessandro Blvd
- Riverside University Ave
- UC Parking Lot 30 - 900 Martin Luther King BLVD
Need a return trip from Riverside to San Diego?
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