Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to San Francisco
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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 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$13.64 | Avg. Price$28.77 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration1h 25m | Duration6h 57m |
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 30 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour,
| Distance | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $12.48 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from San Jose to San Francisco
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $19
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from $12
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $12
How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to San Francisco cost $12.73 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 28 days in advance to save $3.94 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to San Francisco?
There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to San Francisco 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 | 1h 15m | $19.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1h 0m | $14.56 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 1h 40m | $14.97 |
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 San Francisco 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 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 $12.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of one hour and 30 minutes to cover the 42 miles from San Jose to San Francisco. 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 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, 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 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
San Jose has two bus stations with service to San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
San Francisco, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to San Jose?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Jose
Continue by bus from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Arcata Bus
$60+
- Bus from San Francisco to Fresno
$56+
- Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
$71+
- San Francisco to Monterey Bus
$18+
- Bus from San Francisco to Palm Springs
$146+
- Bus from San Francisco to Sacramento
$28+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Diego
$117+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Jose
$15+
- San Francisco to Santa Barbara
$21+
- San Francisco to Tracy Bus
$22+
- San Francisco to Truckee
$40+
- Bus from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley
$22+
- Bus from San Francisco to Denver
$191+
- Bus from San Francisco to Atlanta
$352+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
$116+
- Bus from San Francisco to Reno
$44+
- San Francisco to Portland Bus
$158+
- San Francisco to Seattle Bus
$287+
Check out these popular routes
- Bus from New York to Montreal
$91+
- Bus from New York to Washington D.C.
$25+
- Bus from New York to Boston
$26+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
$12+
- Bus from New York to Providence
$36+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
$15+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
$12+
- Bus from Providence to New York
$33+
- Seattle to Vancouver Bus
$37+
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.