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Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Fresno

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San Francisco to Fresno Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Fresno?

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Fresno.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$39.40
Avg. Price
$41.48
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
5
Daily Trips
5
Duration
Duration
7h 11m
Duration
4h 51m

Bus from San Francisco to Fresno: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Fresno. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Fresno usually takes around 6 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance162 mi (261 km)
Shortest duration4h 55m
Cheapest price$27.47
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Fresno?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Fresno cost $35.04 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 Fresno by travel date

$45$30$15FebFeb

If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to Fresno in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $35 to $44. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on February 26, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Fresno this week, bus tickets are available starting at $37.

Average bus ticket prices from San Francisco to Fresno by month

$50$40$30$20$10MAMJJASONDJF
Bus tickets from San Francisco to Fresno are at their cheapest average price in February. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $32. On the other hand, traveling on this route during July might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for July trips cost $39, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 23 days in advance to save up to $14.59.

What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Fresno?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Fresno that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US27h 40m$41.52
Greyhound26h 24m$38.38
  • 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 2 trips per day from San Francisco to Fresno, 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 2 bus trips from San Francisco to Fresno every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Fresno usually start from $27.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Fresno

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 162 miles from San Francisco to Fresno. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 55 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 Francisco to Fresno 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to Fresno, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Fresno every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to Fresno; ticket prices start at $26.00.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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.

Fresno

Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.

Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.

Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s San Joaquins line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?

Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center

Buses to Fresno leave from 3 stations in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Salesforce Transit Center

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

  • 700 Beach Street

Where does the bus arrive in Fresno?

Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St  - FNOAMT-0

Image credit: Ron Reiring

Link to image attribution
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St  - FNOAMT-1

Image credit: Mattias Thorslund

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St

The Santa Fe Station is a historic train station and transportation hub in Fresno. The station opened in 1899 and was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway, hence the misleading “Santa Fe” name for a station in Fresno. Passengers can board the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Oakland, Sacramento, or Bakersfield from this station, and bus service from Amtrak Thruway and Jefferson Lines also stops at this location. The Santa Fe station is just steps away from Fresno’s City Hall, the Meux Home Museum, and the Fresno Convention Center, making this station a convenient entry point to Fresno.

All bus stations in Fresno:

  • Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St

Get around town with Moovit

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