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Journey Information
There are 24 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to New York. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to New York usually takes around 83 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 73 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 2566 mi (4129 km) |
| Shortest duration | 73h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $93.46 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to New York?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to New York cost $174.74 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to New York. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
Bus tickets from San Francisco to New York are expected to cost between $167 and $462 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to New York within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $197. 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
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 17 days in advance to save up to $325.86.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to New York?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to New York that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 15 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 15 | 3d 11h 54m | $376.39 |
| Greyhound | 17 | 3d 10h 33m | $322.06 |
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 15 trips per day from San Francisco to New York, 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 17 bus trips from San Francisco to New York every day, with the average journey taking around 82 hours and 33 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to New York usually start from $149.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 83 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 2566 miles from San Francisco to New York. However, the fastest bus only takes 73 hours and 40 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to New York, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 24 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to New York every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to New York; ticket prices start at $287.00.
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.
New York
New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world for a reason – it offers numerous opportunities for a great time to visitors of all ages and interests. For the culturally inclined travelers, the city boasts a unique collection of world-famous museums, as well as the chance to see the best plays and musicals that Broadway has to offer, or check out the latest production at the Metropolitan Opera. If sightseeing is your cardio, NYC is the place to be – just by walking around town, you can visit such iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square. Or hop on a ferry to Ellis Island to meet the Statue of Liberty up-close and personal.
NYC’s five boroughs feature more than 1,700 parks, including the gorgeous Central Park, making it one of the best cities for outdoor activities in the country. As for the nightlife, there’s no argument that New York City is the biggest party hub in the U.S.
With three major bus and train stations in Manhattan alone – Port Authority, Grand Central & Penn Station – and three nearby airports, NYC is one of the predominant travel hubs in the world. If you are ever looking to get out of town, NYC is centrally connected throughout the state and region, you can easily hop on a train to Albany to go explore upstate New York.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Buses to New York leave from 3 stations in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
700 Beach Street
Where does the bus arrive in New York?
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 300-310 W 31 St (SW Corner of 31st & 8th Ave)
Buses arrive in New York at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in New York:
300-310 W 31 St (SW Corner of 31st & 8th Ave)
GW Bridge Bus Station
Chinatown - 28 Allen St (eastside b/w Hester and Canal St)
7-11 - Jd Foods
Port Authority - 301 W 41st St
Port Authority - 625 8th Ave
145 Canal St
47 Chrystie St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from New York to San Francisco?
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$109+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
$95+
- Bus from New York to Washington D.C.
$28+
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- New York to Baltimore
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- Bus from New York to Atlantic City
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