Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to San Francisco
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San Jose to San Francisco Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to San Francisco?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Jose to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$15.73 | Avg. Price$29.84 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration1h 12m | Duration3h 2m |
Bus from San Jose to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Jose to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from San Jose to San Francisco usually takes around one hour and 31 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 50 minutes.
| Distance | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Shortest duration | 0h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $12.98 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to San Francisco cost $13.98 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.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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 $5.45 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Jose to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1h 0m | $16.69 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 1h 40m | $17.16 |
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 1 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $11.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of one hour and 31 minutes to cover the 42 miles from San Jose to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 50 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.
Because many passengers travel from San Jose to San Francisco 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 5:00am. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Jose to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco; ticket prices start at $25.00.
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.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Jose?
Main departure station: Diridon Station
Most buses depart from the main station in San Jose.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
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