Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
San Diego to San Francisco Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to San Francisco?
There are usually 12 daily train trips available from San Diego to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceDKK 725.34 | Avg. PriceDKK 588.60 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips12 |
Duration | Duration15h 54m | Duration14h 26m |
Bus from San Diego to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 7 intercity buses per day from San Diego to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from San Diego to San Francisco usually takes around 15 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 11 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 458 mi (738 km) |
| Shortest duration | 11h 40m |
| Cheapest price | DKK 453.29 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| 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 DKK 580.31 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 San Francisco 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 DKK 531 to DKK 1,295. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 22, 2026.
If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at DKK 661.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to San Francisco by month
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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to DKK 927.25 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 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 17h 30m | DKK 1,220.67 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 13h 4m | DKK 1,028.36 |
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 5 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 3 bus trips from San Diego to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 13 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from DKK 395.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to San Francisco
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 15 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 458 miles from San Diego to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 11 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 San Francisco 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 7 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 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 San Francisco; ticket prices start at DKK 421.03.
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 5 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
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to San Diego?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Diego
- San Diego to Tijuana
DKK 57+
- San Diego to Tucson Bus
DKK 728+
- Bus from San Diego to Anaheim
DKK 180+
- San Diego to Bakersfield Bus
DKK 424+
- Bus from San Diego to Calexico
DKK 446+
- San Diego to Indio Bus
DKK 387+
- San Diego to Los Angeles
DKK 163+
- San Diego to Menifee
DKK 313+
- Bus from San Diego to Oakland
DKK 1,013+
- San Diego to Riverside
DKK 191+
- San Diego to Sacramento
DKK 991+
- Bus from San Diego to San Jose
DKK 583+
- San Diego to Stockton Bus
DKK 601+
- Bus from San Diego to Denver
DKK 1,152+
- San Diego to Newark Bus
DKK 2,291+
- Bus from San Diego to Las Vegas
DKK 487+
- Bus from San Diego to Houston
DKK 1,598+
- San Diego to Salt Lake City
DKK 899+
Continue by bus from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Irvine Bus
DKK 670+
- Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
DKK 462+
- San Francisco to Monterey Bus
DKK 117+
- Bus from San Francisco to Sacramento
DKK 183+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Diego
DKK 760+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Jose
DKK 96+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo
DKK 213+
- Bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana
DKK 612+
- San Francisco to Santa Barbara
DKK 136+
- San Francisco to Santa Cruz Bus
DKK 129+
- Bus from San Francisco to Santa Rosa
DKK 152+
- San Francisco to Stockton
DKK 323+
- Bus from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley
DKK 140+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
DKK 743+
- Bus from San Francisco to Reno
DKK 290+
- Bus from San Francisco to New York
DKK 2,506+
- San Francisco to Portland Bus
DKK 1,031+
- San Francisco to Seattle Bus
DKK 1,861+
Check out these popular routes
- Bus from Edmonton to Calgary
DKK 157+
- Bus from Vancouver to Seattle
DKK 240+
- Toronto to Ottawa Bus
DKK 204+
- Montreal to New York Bus
DKK 594+
- Washington D.C. to New York Bus
DKK 162+
- Boston to New York
DKK 146+
- Bus from Baltimore to New York
DKK 136+
- Brooklyn to Washington D.C. Bus
DKK 251+
- Brooklyn to Philadelphia
DKK 57+
- Ithaca to New York Bus
DKK 355+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
DKK 590+
- Bus from New York to Washington D.C.
DKK 163+
- Bus from New York to Boston
DKK 167+
- New York to Ithaca Bus
DKK 368+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
DKK 78+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
DKK 97+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
DKK 78+
- Seattle to Vancouver Bus
DKK 240+
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. 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.