Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Bakersfield

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Bus from San Jose to Bakersfield: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Bakersfield. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Bakersfield usually takes around 10 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 9 hours,

Distance
209 mi (337 km)
Shortest duration
9h
Cheapest price
$50.46
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
3

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4.8 Rating

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4.5 Rating

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Chiku

San Jose to Bakersfield Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Bakersfield?

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Jose to Bakersfield.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$100.37Avg. Price$70.78Cheaper
Daily Trips5Daily Trips6
Duration10h 49mDuration8h 37mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Jose to Bakersfield (Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Rene

May 18, 2025 - Visiting family

Tufesa Internacional
Pros: Not too many stops. Cons: Install plug ins for charging computer and phone. Fix the overhead seat light. It wasn’t working. Tips: None.

5.0

Shantell Viktoria

February 17, 2025 - Solo travel

Tufesa Internacional
Pros: It was on time Cons: More comfy chairs

5.0

Shantell Viktoria

July 22, 2024 - Solo travel

Tufesa Internacional
Pros: On-time boarding, early arrival time Cons: Apple maps was giving the wrong boarding area, needs to be fixed

How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Bakersfield?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Bakersfield cost $72.98 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 Jose to Bakersfield by travel date

$120$80$40SepSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from San Jose to Bakersfield in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $76 to $110. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 13, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Bakersfield this week, bus tickets are available starting at $77.

Average bus ticket prices from San Jose to Bakersfield by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from San Jose to Bakersfield is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $74. If you're planning to take the bus from San Jose to Bakersfield during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $113. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$35010

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $85.02 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from San Jose to Bakersfield?

There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to Bakersfield available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway116h 1m$139.88
FlixBus US112h 17m$78.45
Greyhound410h 2m$99.28
  • 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 Jose to Bakersfield start at $134. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • 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 1 trips per day from San Jose to Bakersfield, and the average ticket for this route costs only $78.45.

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  • 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 4 bus trips from San Jose to Bakersfield every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Bakersfield usually start from $51.46.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Bakersfield

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Jose to Bakersfield 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 Jose to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at $51.

Trips per day

5

Direct trips

0

The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 49 minutes to cover the 209 miles from San Jose to Bakersfield. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours. 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.

Distance (mi)

209

Distance (km)

337

The first bus leaves at 12:35am and the last bus leaves at 11:45pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Bakersfield, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:35am

Latest bus

11:45pm

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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

Most crowded

Tuesday

Least crowded

Saturday

City Information

San Jose

San Jose, CA - SJC-0San Jose, CA - SJC-1San Jose, CA - SJC-2

San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.

While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.

Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.

San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.

Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.

As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.

On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.

To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Jose?

Main departure station: Diridon Station

San Jose has two bus stations with service to Bakersfield.

All bus stations in San Jose:

  • Diridon Station
  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Where does the bus arrive in Bakersfield?

Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Bakersfield.

All bus stations in Bakersfield:

  • 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
  • McKee Park & Ride Bus Stop

Need a return trip from Bakersfield to San Jose?

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