Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Santa Ana
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Santa Ana?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Santa Ana.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$53.52 | Avg. Price$63.22 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration13h 13m | Duration12h 19m |
Bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana: Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Santa Ana. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana usually takes around 13 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 378 mi (608 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $34.97 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Santa Ana?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Santa Ana cost $50.96 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.96 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 Santa Ana by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $48 to $97. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on January 14, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Santa Ana this week, bus tickets are available starting at $48.
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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $71.13 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Santa Ana?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Santa Ana that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 12h 11m | $91.27 |
| Greyhound | 3 | 14h 5m | $76.64 |
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 3 trips per day from San Francisco to Santa Ana, 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 3 bus trips from San Francisco to Santa Ana every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Santa Ana usually start from $35.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana
The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 378 miles from San Francisco to Santa Ana. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Santa Ana at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
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 Santa Ana, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana; ticket prices start at $57.00.
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.
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center
Buses to Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?
Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
All buses from San Francisco arrive at one main station in Santa Ana.
All bus stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Ana to San Francisco?
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