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Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Ventura

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San Francisco to Ventura Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Ventura.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$39.00
Avg. Price
$56.21
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
14h 15m
Duration
9h 28m

Bus from San Francisco to Ventura: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from San Francisco to Ventura. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Ventura usually takes around 14 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 59 minutes.

Distance300 mi (483 km)
Shortest duration12h 59m
Cheapest price$39.00
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Ventura?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Francisco to Ventura. Amtrak Thruway 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
Amtrak Thruway114h 3m$39.00
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from San Francisco to Ventura start at $39. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

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

The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 300 miles from San Francisco to Ventura. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 59 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 Ventura 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.

There is usually only one bus per day from San Francisco to Ventura. It leaves the station in San Francisco at 10:00pm 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 Ventura. 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 Ventura; ticket prices start at $38.00.

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.

Ventura

Ventura, CA, US - VEC-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Ventura is a beach town near LA, located on the Central Coast of California. It is known for its different beaches, like the San Buenaventura State Beach, which features the wooden Ventura Pier. Ventura is known as one of the best surf towns in America, with scenic coasts and impressive waves. Surfer's Point is the town's most popular spot for surfing and windsurfing. One of the popular tourist locations in the city is Channel Islands National Park, which is a habitat for rare island foxes and scrub jays, and can be accessed by boat from the Ventura Harbor. Explore Main Street in Downtown Ventura for more landmarks and historical sites.

Ventura has a lively art scene, with different galleries and museums in the downtown area. Enjoy entertaining theatre at the Rubicon Theatre Company, or go on short-day cruises with friends and family. The city also offers an eclectic food scene with Polynesian and Nepalese restaurants and wineries that will surprise you. Its nightlife consists of bars, lounges, breweries, comedy clubs, and taprooms, like The Tavern, all littered in Downtown Ventura.

Ventura is easily accessible from other cities by train routes provided by Amtrak and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and bus lines by FlixBus US and Amtrak Thruway. The Ventura County Transportation Commission provides commuter bus routes throughout the city.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?

Salesforce Plaza - SFOBLT-0

Image credit: 146109843@N05

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: San Francisco, California

Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco, California

Where does the bus arrive in Ventura?

Main arrival station: Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops

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

All bus stations in Ventura:

  • Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Ventura to San Francisco?

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