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Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to San Francisco

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San Jose to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Jose to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$16.09
Avg. Price
$25.91
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
4
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
1h 18m
Duration
3h 30m

Bus from San Jose to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 5 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 25 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 50 minutes.

Distance42 mi (68 km)
Shortest duration0h 50m
Cheapest price$14.98
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines3

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

Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to San Francisco cost $15.55 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 San Francisco by travel date

$30$20$10FebFeb

Bus tickets from San Jose to San Francisco are expected to cost between $15 and $17 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to San Francisco within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $15. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$25$20$15$10$5MAMJJASONDJF
Taking the bus from San Jose to San Francisco is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $9. If you're planning to take the bus from San Jose to San Francisco during July, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $12. 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 5 days in advance to save $0.53 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. With 4 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway11h 15m$19.00
FlixBus US41h 0m$15.85
Greyhound21h 38m$15.74
  • 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 4 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 2 bus trips from San Jose to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 1 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $15.

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

The bus takes an average of one hour and 25 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.

Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in San Francisco. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Jose to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from San Jose to San Francisco without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $24.00.

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.

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

  • Salesforce Transit Center

  • San Francisco, California

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

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