Cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield
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San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield?
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$59.07 | Avg. Price$84.00 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration11h 21m | Duration9h 46m |
Bus from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield. Traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield usually takes around 10 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 93 mi (149 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $41.47 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |

What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 11h 53m | $62.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 8h 38m | $88.00 |
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 Luis Obispo to Bakersfield start at $62. 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 Luis Obispo to Bakersfield, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 93 miles from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 10 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 Luis Obispo to Bakersfield 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield. It leaves the station in San Luis Obispo at 4:00am 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 Luis Obispo to Bakersfield. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield; ticket prices start at $61.00.
City Information
San Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is just north of LA on the Kern River. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, one of the city’s biggest attractions, displays fossils, dinosaur models, Native American artifacts, and a changing array of temporary exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Bakersfield Museum of Art features multiple rotating galleries of modern and historical art.
As the sun sets in Bakersfield, locals and visitors alike flock to Buck Owens Crystal Palace for food, drinks, and the biggest live music venue in the area. The Belvedere Cocktail lounge offers a more intimate live music experience– plus some amazing drinks and arcade games. For a truly unique experience, check out the family-friendly Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, where audiences are encouraged to cheer, boo, and get in on the fun of the live performances.
On the quieter side, Bakersfield has a number of beautiful parks across the city. The Park at RiverWalk is a fan favorite, with 32 sprawling acres along the Kern River dotted with picnic areas, public grills, and fishing spots. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides more outdoor activities with swimming, boating, sailing, cycling, and more.
To get to Bakersfield, fly into the Meadows Field Airport just north of the town. Several bus lines also service the area, connecting the city to Phoenix, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Ontario. For train service, Amtrak offers routes to San Diego, San Francisco, and even New York City.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Buses to Bakersfield leave from 3 stations in San Luis Obispo.
All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
1011 Railroad Ave
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Bakersfield?
Main arrival station: 601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
All buses from San Luis Obispo arrive at one main station in Bakersfield.
All bus stations in Bakersfield:
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Bakersfield to San Luis Obispo?
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- United States
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- San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield






