4.0
Pros: Great bus drivers. Tips: Bring a pillow for overnight trips.
Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Sacramento
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Sacramento?
There are usually 15 daily train trips available from San Diego to Sacramento.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$82.86 | Avg. Price$116.83 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips15 | Daily Trips15 |
Duration | Duration14h 18m | Duration15h 42m |
Bus from San Diego to Sacramento: Journey Information
There are 16 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Sacramento. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Sacramento usually takes around 13 hours and 56 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 473 mi (761 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $52.97 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from San Diego to Sacramento
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Sacramento?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Sacramento cost $74.19 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 Sacramento by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Sacramento in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $71 to $97. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 10, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Sacramento this week, bus tickets are available starting at $74.
Monthly avg. prices
Taking the bus from San Diego to Sacramento is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $77. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to Sacramento during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $108. 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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $80.25 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Sacramento?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to Sacramento that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 10 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 10 | 14h 12m | $101.26 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 13h 48m | $94.28 |
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 10 trips per day from San Diego to Sacramento, 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 6 bus trips from San Diego to Sacramento every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 48 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Sacramento usually start from $53.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Sacramento
The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 56 minutes to cover the 473 miles from San Diego to Sacramento. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 40 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.
Because many passengers travel from San Diego to Sacramento 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Sacramento, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 16 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Sacramento every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 Sacramento; ticket prices start at $80.00.
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.
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to Sacramento leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
La Jolla - UC San Diego
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
Where does the bus arrive in Sacramento?
Main arrival station: 420 Richards Blvd
All buses from San Diego arrive at one main station in Sacramento.
All bus stations in Sacramento:
420 Richards Blvd
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