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Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Santa Ana

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San Jose to Santa Ana Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Jose to Santa Ana.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
CHF 61.61
Avg. Price
CHF 82.05
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
12h 6m
Duration
12h 34m

Bus from San Jose to Santa Ana: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Santa Ana. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Ana usually takes around 11 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance336 mi (540 km)
Shortest duration9h 5m
Cheapest priceCHF 35.92
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

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How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Santa Ana?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Santa Ana cost CHF 53.60 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

CHF 100CHF 80CHF 60CHF 40CHF 20MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from San Jose to Santa Ana are at their cheapest average price in April. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around CHF 46. On the other hand, traveling on this route during November might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for November trips cost CHF 81, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

CHF 120CHF 96CHF 72CHF 48CHF 243020100

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 20 days in advance to save CHF 50.87 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from San Jose to Santa Ana?

There are 3 bus lines from San Jose to Santa Ana 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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway112h 26mCHF 72.89
FlixBus US113h 13mCHF 68.30
Greyhound111h 19mCHF 91.23
  • 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 Santa Ana start at CHF 73. 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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 19 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Santa Ana usually start from CHF 38.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Ana

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 336 miles from San Jose to Santa Ana. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 5 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Jose to Santa Ana for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Santa Ana, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from San Jose to Santa Ana every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Santa Ana; ticket prices start at CHF 61.50.

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.

Santa Ana

Santa Ana, CA, US - SNA-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.

One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.

The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.

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 Santa Ana.

All bus stations in San Jose:

  • Diridon Station

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Where does the bus arrive in Santa Ana?

Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

All buses from San Jose arrive at one main station in Santa Ana.

All bus stations in Santa Ana:

  • Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd

Get around town with Moovit

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