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Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to San Jose
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from San Diego to San Jose: Journey Information
There are 11 intercity buses per day from San Diego to San Jose. Traveling by bus from San Diego to San Jose usually takes around 12 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 50 minutes.
- Distance
- 416 mi (670 km)
- Shortest duration
- 9h 50m
- Cheapest price
- $61.97
- Trips per day
- 4
- Most frequent service
- FlixBus US
- Bus lines
- 4
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San Diego to San Jose Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from San Diego to San Jose:
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $138
- FlixBus US: 5 daily buses from $63
- Greyhound: 4 daily buses from $62
- Tufesa Internacional: 2 daily buses from $90
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to San Jose?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to San Jose cost $83.36 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 Jose by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to San Jose in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $81 to $155. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 28, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Jose this week, bus tickets are available starting at $94.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to San Jose by month
Taking the bus from San Diego to San Jose is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $98. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to San Jose during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $142. 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 $59.99 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to San Jose?
There are 4 bus lines from San Diego to San Jose available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 16h 8m | $138.00 |
| FlixBus US | 5 | 16h 12m | $134.01 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 11h 34m | $122.97 |
| Tufesa Internacional | 2 | 10h 20m | $90.00 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from San Diego to San Jose start at $138. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
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 Jose, and the average ticket for this route costs only $134.01.
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 4 bus trips from San Diego to San Jose every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Jose usually start from $61.97.
Book Tufesa Internacional from San Diego to San Jose from $90. There are 2 trips per day offered by Tufesa Internacional from San Diego to San Jose and you can expect on average to pay $90 for a Tufesa Internacional ticket to San Jose. In San Diego, Tufesa Internacional departs to San Jose from San Ysidro Bus Terminal. In San Jose, Tufesa Internacional arrives at San Jose Tufesa and one other station.
An average trip on Tufesa Internacional from San Diego to San Jose takes 10 hours and 20 minutes, while the fastest available Tufesa Internacional trip will get you to San Jose in 10 hours and 10 minutes.
On weekends, Tufesa Internacional offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $90 for a weekend trip to San Jose.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to San Jose
There are overnight bus services to San Jose from San Diego, but they will require you to transfer buses at some point in the early morning. Tufesa International offers the only daily direct trip for this route.
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to San Jose is by bus. Bus tickets start as low as $31 whereas a train ticket from San Diego to San Jose will cost you at least $68.
There is a train from San Diego to San Jose, but it’s not a direct train and takes at least 12 hours (usually longer). The same bus trip can be done in as fast as 10 hours.
There are 11 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to San Jose 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 Jose; ticket prices start at $93.
Trips per day
11
Direct trips
4
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 416 miles from San Diego to San Jose. 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.
Distance (mi)
416
Distance (km)
670
The first bus leaves at 4:55am and the last bus leaves at 10:55pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
4:55am
Latest bus
10:55pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Jose 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.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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 Jose
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to San Jose leave from 7 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
- San Ysidro Transit Center
- San Ysidro Bus Terminal
- San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
- La Jolla - UC San Diego
- 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?
Main arrival station: Diridon Station
Buses arrive in San Jose at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Jose:
- Diridon Station
- Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
- San Jose Tufesa
- San Jose Fronteras
Need a return trip from San Jose to San Diego?
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