Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Tampa
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 Tampa Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Tampa?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Diego to Tampa.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$225.27 | Avg. Price$511.22 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips12 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration2d 19h 51m | Duration4d 7h 34m |
Bus from San Diego to Tampa: Journey Information
There are 14 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Tampa. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Tampa usually takes around 68 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 64 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 2086 mi (3357 km) |
| Shortest duration | 64h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $183.93 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Tampa?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Diego to Tampa. 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 | 14 | 2d 20h 25m | $395.75 |
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 14 trips per day from San Diego to Tampa, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Tampa
The bus takes an average of 68 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 2086 miles from San Diego to Tampa. However, the fastest bus only takes 64 hours and 15 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 Tampa 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Tampa, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Tampa every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Diego to Tampa; ticket prices start at $438.00.
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.
Tampa
Sitting at the heart of the Gulf Coast, Tampa offers a perfect blend of cultural attractions and relaxing indulgences. Infused with a colorful mix of Cuban and Spanish cultural elements, the city of Tampa houses some of the most impressive historic buildings in the state, including the Henry B. Plant Museum, which boasts a permanent exhibition of Victorian-era artifacts. Animal lovers can also rejoice, as the city’s many aquariums and zoos will certainly melt your heart. Head down to the Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center for some heart-melting cuteness. And for animal lovers with a penchant for streaming docu-series, the Big Cat Rescue (yes, THAT one!) will be a great choice.
Most of the finest restaurants in town are concentrated around the Riverwalk area, which offers unrivaled views of the waterfront. Oystercatchers is reputed as one of the best establishments in town, so you should not miss out on it. Tampa’s cuisine features a very clear Cuban influence, and the best spot to try out these unique fusion dishes is at Ybor City.
The principal train station in the city is the Tampa Union Station, which is also a historic building. It is currently served by Amtrak. At the station, travelers can also take an Amtrak Thruway motorcoach to get to Orlando, Lakeland, Bradenton, etc. The main airport is Tampa International Airport, which is located just six miles west of downtown Tampa.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: La Jolla - UC San Diego
Buses to Tampa leave from 4 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
La Jolla - UC San Diego
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Ysidro Transit Center
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Where does the bus arrive in Tampa?
Main arrival station: Tampa USF, FL
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Tampa.
All bus stations in Tampa:
Tampa USF, FL
Tampa Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Tampa to San Diego?
Search Bus Tickets
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.