Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to San Diego
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San Francisco to San Diego Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to San Diego?
There are usually 9 daily train trips available from San Francisco to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$83.91 | Avg. Price$90.21 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips9 | Daily Trips9 |
Duration | Duration16h 49m | Duration14h 6m |
Bus from San Francisco to San Diego: Journey Information
There are 11 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to San Diego. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to San Diego usually takes around 17 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 458 mi (738 km) |
| Shortest duration | 13h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $57.97 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to San Diego cost $75.58 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 Francisco to San Diego by travel date
Bus tickets from San Francisco to San Diego are expected to cost between $72 and $168 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to San Diego within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $95. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
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 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $93.92 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to San Diego?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to San Diego 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 | 15h 40m | $116.42 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 17h 40m | $133.88 |
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 San Diego, 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 San Diego every day, with the average journey taking around 17 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Diego usually start from $55.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to San Diego
The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 458 miles from San Francisco to San Diego. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Francisco to San Diego 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
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 San Diego, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 11 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to San Diego 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 San Diego; ticket prices start at $65.00.
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center
San Francisco has two bus stations with service to San Diego.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Where does the bus arrive in San Diego?
Main arrival station: San Ysidro Transit Center
Buses arrive in San Diego at 6 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Diego:
San Ysidro Transit Center
San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
La Jolla - UC San Diego
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
San Ysidro Bus Terminal
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Diego to San Francisco?
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