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Journey Information
There are 19 intercity buses per day from San Diego to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from San Diego to San Francisco usually takes around 13 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 458 mi (738 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $42.98 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to San Francisco cost $56.85 on average. Tickets cheaper than $56.85 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 prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $54 to $85. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 8, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $59.
Monthly average prices
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 $102.59 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Diego to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 13 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 13 | 13h 40m | $92.60 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 14h 11m | $86.24 |
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 13 trips per day from San Diego to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $42.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking a bus from San Diego to San Francisco may take longer than driving there yourself. The bus for this route takes an average of 11 hours, whereas it will take between 8 and 9 hours if you drive your own vehicle. That said, Greyhound offers overnight bus options for this route, meaning you can fall asleep in San Diego and wake up in San Francisco without having to endure the stress of driving.
The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 458 miles from San Diego to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 25 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Francisco 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.
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 San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 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 San Francisco; ticket prices start at $65.00.
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.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to San Francisco leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
La Jolla - UC San Diego
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
700 Beach Street
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