Buses from San Diego to San Francisco
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
San Diego - San Francisco Bus Schedule
Journey Information
There are 9 intercity buses per day from San Diego to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from San Diego to San Francisco usually takes around 12 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 458 mi (738 km) |
| Shortest duration | 9h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $34.98 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to San Francisco?
$49.63 is the average price of a bus ticket from San Diego to San Francisco. Any tickets cheaper than $49.63 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 San Francisco is expected to range from $48 to $61. If you are looking to travel to San Francisco within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $49. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $48 and can be found on February 12, 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 $59 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Diego to San Francisco in April, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $70 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 27 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $24.21 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the 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 7 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 7 | 12h 3m | $53.60 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 13h 16m | $72.40 |
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 7 trips per day from San Diego to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $63.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does taking the bus to San Francisco compare to driving there yourself?
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.
Is it safe to travel by bus from San Diego to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 458 miles from San Diego to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 50 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?
Buses departing from San Diego to San Francisco tend to have the most passangers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap bus tickets or just want an emptier bus you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
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 San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
How many buses are there each day?
There are 9 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 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 San Francisco; ticket prices start at $64.50.
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
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: Bus Terminal - 1313 National Ave
Buses to San Francisco leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
Bus Terminal - 1313 National Ave
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
Westfield UTC Mall
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Plaza
Need a return trip from San Francisco to San Diego?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Diego
Continue by bus from San Francisco
- Bus from San Francisco to Phoenix
$66+
- San Francisco to Eureka Bus
$39+
- Bus from San Francisco to Fresno
$22+
- Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
$44+
- San Francisco to Monterey Bus
$18+
- Bus from San Francisco to Sacramento
$12+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Diego
$56+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Jose
$9+
- San Francisco to Santa Barbara
$39+
- San Francisco to Santa Cruz Bus
$13+
- Bus from San Francisco to Santa Rosa
$24+
- San Francisco to Truckee
$38+
- Bus from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley
$22+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
$65+
- Bus from San Francisco to Reno
$16+
- Bus from San Francisco to New York
$183+
- San Francisco to Portland Bus
$113+
- San Francisco to Seattle Bus
$130+
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 and with no additional fees. 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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more