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Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to New York

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San Francisco to New York Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Francisco to New York.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$255.86
Avg. Price
$476.56
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
18
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
3d 12h 1m
Duration
3d 9h 50m

Bus from San Francisco to New York: Journey Information

There are 18 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 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 76 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance2566 mi (4129 km)
Shortest duration76h 5m
Cheapest price$129.94
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to New York?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to New York cost $199.30 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 bus ticket prices from San Francisco to New York by travel date

$375$250$125NovNov

Bus tickets from San Francisco to New York are expected to cost between $201 and $361 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 $201. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$375$300$225$150$75DJFMAMJJASON
Bus tickets from San Francisco to New York are at their cheapest average price in May. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $288. On the other hand, traveling on this route during July might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for July trips cost $357, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$500$400$300$200$1003020100

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 $247.44.

What bus companies travel from San Francisco to New York?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Francisco to New York. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US183d 11h 45m$312.57
  • 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 18 trips per day from San Francisco to New York, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to New York

The bus takes an average of 83 hours and 44 minutes to cover the 2566 miles from San Francisco to New York. However, the fastest bus only takes 76 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.

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, 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 7:00am 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 18 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 $307.00.

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.

New York

NYC-0NYC-1NYC-2

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

Most buses depart from the main station in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

Where does the bus arrive in New York?

GW Bridge Bus Station - NYCUSOUR7-0

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: GW Bridge Bus Station

Buses arrive in New York at 10 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in New York:

  • GW Bridge Bus Station

  • 300-310 W 31 St (SW Corner of 31st & 8th Ave)

  • Port Authority - 301 W 41st St

  • Chinatown - 28 Allen St (eastside b/w Hester and Canal St)

  • New York W 34th St & 12th Ave

  • 7-11 - Jd Foods

  • 145 Canal St

  • Brooklyn - 3 Av @ 38th St

  • Queens/Jamaica 91-91 144th Pl

  • 41-32 Kissena Blvd.

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from New York to San Francisco?

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