Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Sacramento
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from San Jose to Sacramento: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Sacramento. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Sacramento usually takes around 3 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- Distance
- 89 mi (142 km)
- Shortest duration
- 2h 45m
- Cheapest price
- $19.00
- Trips per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Greyhound
- Bus lines
- 3
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
San Jose to Sacramento Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from San Jose to Sacramento:
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $19
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from $24
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $24
How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Sacramento?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Sacramento cost $22.98 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this 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 Sacramento by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Jose to Sacramento in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $22 to $34. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 1, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Sacramento this week, bus tickets are available starting at $25.
Average bus ticket prices from San Jose to Sacramento by month
Taking the bus from San Jose to Sacramento is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $31. If you're planning to take the bus from San Jose to Sacramento during June, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $36. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $18.05 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to Sacramento?
There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to Sacramento 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:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 4h 20m | $19.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 4h 25m | $36.40 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 3h | $36.70 |
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 Sacramento start at $19. 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 Sacramento, and the average ticket for this route costs only $36.40.






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 Sacramento every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 0 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Sacramento usually start from $23.97.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Sacramento
There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Jose to Sacramento. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Sacramento; ticket prices start at $19.
Trips per day
2
Direct trips
0
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 34 minutes to cover the 89 miles from San Jose to Sacramento. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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)
89
Distance (km)
142
The first bus leaves at 5:45am and the last bus leaves at 4:55pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Sacramento, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
5:45am
Latest bus
4:55pm
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 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.
Sacramento



As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
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 Sacramento.
All bus stations in San Jose:
- Diridon Station
- Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Where does the bus arrive in Sacramento?
Main arrival station: 420 Richards Blvd
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Sacramento.
All bus stations in Sacramento:
- 420 Richards Blvd
- Valley Station - 401 I St
Need a return trip from Sacramento to San Jose?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Jose
Continue by bus from Sacramento
Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.




