Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Salinas
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San Jose to Salinas Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Salinas?
There are usually 1 daily train trips available from San Jose to Salinas.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$37.00 | Avg. Price$28.62 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration1h 19m | Duration1h 40m |
Bus from San Jose to Salinas: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Jose to Salinas. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Salinas usually takes around one hour and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 55 minutes.
| Distance | 47 mi (76 km) |
| Shortest duration | 0h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $37.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |

Price trends for buses from San Jose to Salinas
Average bus ticket prices from San Jose to Salinas by month
What bus companies travel from San Jose to Salinas?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Jose to Salinas. Amtrak Thruway is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 1h 15m | $37.00 |
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 Salinas start at $37. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Salinas
The bus takes an average of one hour and 15 minutes to cover the 47 miles from San Jose to Salinas. However, the fastest bus only takes 55 minutes. 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Salinas at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Jose to Salinas. It leaves the station in San Jose at 3:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Jose to Salinas. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Salinas; ticket prices start at $23.00.
City Information
San Jose

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

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.
Salinas

Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Jose?

Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Where does the bus arrive in Salinas?
Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl
All buses from San Jose arrive at one main station in Salinas.
All bus stations in Salinas:
11 Station Pl
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Salinas to San Jose?
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