Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Oakland
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Oakland?
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Oakland.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$10.41 | Avg. Price$13.28 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration0h 21m | Duration3h 43m |
Bus from San Francisco to Oakland: Journey Information
There are 10 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Oakland usually takes around 22 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 15 minutes.
Distance | 8 mi (13 km) |
Shortest duration | 0h 15m |
Cheapest price | $9.98 |
Trips per day | 10 |
Most frequent service | Greyhound |
Bus lines | 2 |

How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Oakland?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Oakland cost $11.58 on average. This is an excellent value for the 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 Oakland by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to Oakland in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $10 to $11. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on February 10, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Oakland this week, bus tickets are available starting at $10.
Monthly avg. prices
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 12 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $0.36 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Oakland?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Oakland that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
FlixBus US | 7 | 0h 24m | $11.80 |
Greyhound | 6 | 0h 22m | $11.70 |
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 7 trips per day from San Francisco to Oakland, 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 6 bus trips from San Francisco to Oakland every day, with the average journey taking around 0 hours and 22 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Oakland usually start from $10.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Oakland
The bus takes an average of 22 minutes to cover the 8 miles from San Francisco to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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 Oakland 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 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to Oakland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Oakland every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from San Francisco to Oakland without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to Oakland; ticket prices start at $9.00.
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.
Oakland

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center
Buses to Oakland 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 Oakland?

Image credit: Pi.1415926535
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: West Oakland Bart Station
The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
All bus stations in Oakland:
West Oakland Bart Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Oakland to San Francisco?
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- San Francisco to Oakland