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Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Irvine

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San Francisco to Irvine Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Irvine.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$63.46
Avg. Price
$79.54
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
4
Duration
Duration
20h 4m
Duration
12h 14m

Bus from San Francisco to Irvine: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from San Francisco to Irvine. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Irvine usually takes around 20 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 19 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance384 mi (617 km)
Shortest duration19h 5m
Cheapest price$48.96
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines1

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

Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Irvine cost $56.46 on average. Tickets cheaper than $56.46 are an excellent bargain. 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 Irvine by month

$125$100$75$50$25MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from San Francisco to Irvine 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 $70. On the other hand, traveling on this route during November might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for November trips cost $104, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$353020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 24 days in advance to save $94.81 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Irvine?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Francisco to Irvine. Greyhound is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound120h 4m$103.95
  • 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 Irvine every day, with the average journey taking around 20 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Irvine usually start from $49.

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

The bus takes an average of 20 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 384 miles from San Francisco to Irvine. However, the fastest bus only takes 19 hours and 5 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.

Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Irvine. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

There is usually only one bus per day from San Francisco to Irvine. It leaves the station in San Francisco at 4:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

There is usually only one bus per day from San Francisco to Irvine. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to Irvine; ticket prices start at $60.00.

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.

Irvine

Irvine, CA - IRV-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Irvine, CA - IRV-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Irvine, CA - IRV-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.

When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!

It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity buses or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?

Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center

Most buses depart from the main station in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Salesforce Transit Center

Where does the bus arrive in Irvine?

Main arrival station: University of CA - Crawford Hall

All buses from San Francisco arrive at one main station in Irvine.

All bus stations in Irvine:

  • University of CA - Crawford Hall

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Irvine by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Irvine to San Francisco?

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