Cheap bus tickets from San Diego to Reno
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Bus from San Diego to Reno: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Reno. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Reno usually takes around 20 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 493 mi (794 km) |
| Shortest duration | 17h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $84.95 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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San Diego to Reno Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Reno?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Diego to Reno.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$204.79 | Avg. Price$151.99Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration20h 36m | Duration19h 48mFaster |
There are several bus options that can take you from San Diego to Reno:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Reno?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Reno cost $85.11 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 Reno by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Reno in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $99 to $201. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 20, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Reno this week, bus tickets are available starting at $137.
Average bus ticket prices from San Diego to Reno by month
Taking the bus from San Diego to Reno is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $110. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to Reno during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $209. 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 20 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $168.26 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Reno?
There are multiple buses that travel from San Diego to Reno, including FlixBus US, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 4 | 24h 48m | $167.89 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 17h 42m | $230.28 |
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 4 trips per day from San Diego to Reno, and the average ticket for this route costs only $167.89.
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 Reno every day, with the average journey taking around 17 hours and 42 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Reno usually start from $116.97.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Reno
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Reno 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 Reno; ticket prices start at $136.
TRIPS PER DAY
5
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 20 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 493 miles from San Diego to Reno. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 hours and 20 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)
493
DISTANCE (KM)
794
The first bus leaves at 9:25am and the last bus leaves at 10:35pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Reno, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
9:25am
LATEST BUS
10:35pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Diego to Reno for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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
Friday
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.
Reno
Dazzling with neon lights and bustling through the night, Reno is a great destination for those seeking top-class entertainment. Though considerably outshined by Las Vegas, Reno still brings unique attractions to the table. Among the most notable destinations for non-gamblers is an independent art scene down at Riverwalk, where indie galleries as well as restaurants abound. Fans of the great outdoors should not miss out on nearby Lake Tahoe, which stands among the most beautiful vacation destinations in the country.
At its core, Reno is still a city for gamblers, and it certainly does not disappoint. Slot machines, table games and cabaret shows are available at the local casinos, ready to tempt risk-takers who wish to court Lady Luck.
Right in the heart of downtown Reno, you will find the Reno Amtrak station from where you can take a train to Northern California and beyond. The local Reno-Tahoe International Airport is located outside of the city and it provides quick access to international flight routes. The main bus stop that serves Reno is also located at the airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?
Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses to Reno leave from 5 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
- San Ysidro Transit Center
- San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
- La Jolla - UC San Diego
- 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Where does the bus arrive in Reno?
Main arrival station: Reno Amtrak Train Station
The Amtrak Station in Reno is one of the main travel hubs in the city and opened in 1868. Located on North Center St, the station is surrounded by the casinos, restaurants, and hotels which put Reno on the map. Due to its downtown location, the station waiting area and the train tracks are actually placed below ground level. The California Zephyr train line passes through this station on its route from Chicago to Emeryville as well as Amtrak Thruway buses which connect to Sacramento.
All bus stations in Reno:
- Reno Amtrak Train Station
Need a return trip from Reno to San Diego?
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