
San Diego to San Francisco bus
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Journey Information
There are 10 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 44 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 | $41.98 |
Trips per day | 3 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to San Francisco?
Typically $59.22 is the average price you should expect to pay for a bus ticket to San Francisco. Any tickets cheaper than $59.22 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 $59 to $113. If you are looking to travel to San Francisco within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $66. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $59 and can be found on February 27, 2023.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in February. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $60 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from San Diego to San Francisco in May, 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 18 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $46.53 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to San Francisco?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Diego to San Francisco. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
FlixBus US | 10 | 12h 44m | $85.44 |
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 10 trips per day from San Diego to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
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.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.
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 44 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.
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 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, 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.
When do the earliest and latest buses leave San Diego?
The first bus leaves at 6:00am 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 bus departures serve San Francisco each day?
There are 10 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

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 8 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
La Jolla - UC San Diego
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave
Balboa Park - Presidents Way
Bus Terminal - 1313 National Ave
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
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 Transit Center
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