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Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Oakland

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San Jose to Oakland Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Jose to Oakland.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$10.80
Avg. Price
$18.48
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
5
Duration
Duration
1h 12m
Duration
1h 34m

Bus from San Jose to Oakland: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Oakland usually takes around one hour and 10 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in just one hour,

Distance38 mi (62 km)
Shortest duration1h 0m
Cheapest price$9.48
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Jose to Oakland

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

FNU

March 26, 2025- Business

FlixBus US

Pros: I like my bus trip because bus is in time both arriving and departure and view of outside during my trip is very nice I like very much. Cons: All thing are good. Tips: Must visit.

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

Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Oakland cost $9.48 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. 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 Oakland by month

$25$20$15$10$5MJJASONDJFMA
Taking the bus from San Jose to Oakland is usually cheapest in November, when the average ticket price is only $12. If you're planning to take the bus from San Jose to Oakland during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $16. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$25$20$15$10$53020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 24 days in advance to save $4.12 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from San Jose to Oakland?

There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to Oakland available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Each of these companies only runs one bus per day. The following table helps you compare your available choices:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway11h 48m$13.00
FlixBus US11h 30m$13.16
Greyhound11h 4m$11.65
  • 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 Oakland start at $13. 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 Oakland, 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 1 bus trips from San Jose to Oakland every day, with the average journey taking around 1 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Oakland usually start from $9.

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

The bus takes an average of one hour and 10 minutes to cover the 38 miles from San Jose to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.

Because many passengers travel from San Jose to Oakland at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

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

The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00am. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Oakland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Jose to Oakland. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Oakland; ticket prices start at $15.00.

City Information

San Jose

San Jose, CA - SJC-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Jose, CA - SJC-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Jose, CA - SJC-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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.

Oakland

Oakland, CA - OAK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

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 Oakland.

All bus stations in San Jose:

  • Diridon Station

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Where does the bus arrive in Oakland?

Bus Terminal - 2103 San Pablo Ave  - OAKGLI-0

Image credit: Pi.1415926535

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: West Oakland Bart Station

The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

All bus stations in Oakland:

  • West Oakland Bart Station

  • 245 Second St

Get around town with Moovit

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