Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Bakersfield
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Bakersfield?
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Bakersfield.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$44.83 | Avg. Price$44.03 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration8h 31m | Duration8h 32m |
Bus from San Francisco to Bakersfield: Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Bakersfield. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Bakersfield usually takes around 8 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 251 mi (404 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $31.97 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Bakersfield?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Bakersfield cost $38.33 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Francisco to Bakersfield by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from San Francisco to Bakersfield is expected to be between $37 and $57. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is February 3, 2025, when tickets are available for February 3, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $38.
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 24 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $47.14 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Bakersfield?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Bakersfield that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 4 | 8h 51m | $59.12 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 8h 26m | $44.75 |
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 4 trips per day from San Francisco to Bakersfield, 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 1 bus trips from San Francisco to Bakersfield every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Bakersfield usually start from $35.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Bakersfield
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 41 minutes to cover the 251 miles from San Francisco to Bakersfield. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Bakersfield, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to Bakersfield, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Bakersfield 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 Francisco to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at $36.00.
City Information
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.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.
As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.
On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.
To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Buses to Bakersfield leave from 3 stations in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
700 Beach Street
Where does the bus arrive in Bakersfield?
Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bakersfield.
All bus stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Bakersfield to San Francisco?
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