background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Oakland

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

San Luis Obispo to Oakland Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Oakland?

There are usually 14 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Oakland.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$47.06
Avg. Price
$82.43
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
14
Duration
Duration
5h 6m
Duration
7h 43m

Bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. Traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland usually takes around 4 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance196 mi (315 km)
Shortest duration4h 35m
Cheapest price$11.00
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Luis Obispo to Oakland

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Raine

January 20, 2025

FlixBus US

Pros: I arrived early to my stop. Cons: Thr bathroom was horrendous. Tips: Use thr bathroom before and avoid drinking water.

What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Oakland?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Luis Obispo to Oakland that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway25h 35m$34.40
FlixBus US14h 51m$58.15
  • 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 Oakland start at $11. On average, there are 2 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 Oakland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Oakland

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 196 miles from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 35 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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 Luis Obispo to Oakland 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

There is usually only one bus per day from San Luis Obispo to Oakland. It leaves the station in San Luis Obispo at 12:00am 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 Oakland. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Luis Obispo to Oakland; ticket prices start at $11.00.

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.

Oakland

Oakland, CA - OAK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: San Luis Obispo Bus Station

Buses to Oakland leave from 3 stations in San Luis Obispo.

All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • San Luis Obispo Bus Station

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Oakland?

Bus Terminal - 2103 San Pablo Ave  - OAKGLI-0

Image credit: Pi.1415926535

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: West Oakland Bart Station

The Greyhound bus station, located at 2103 San Pablo Ave, was built in 1926 and is still open and operating today. The station has dramatic doorways and a magnificently ornate domed ceiling design. A security guard is on duty at all times to guarantee passenger safety. When passengers arrive, baggage goes through a security check, and you are only allowed in the station if you have a ticket, so say your goodbyes before you come. It serves as a primary stop for Alameda County's National bus system. The station is open from 5 am until 1:30 am every day and offers regular bus trips operated by Greyhound to locations around the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

All bus stations in Oakland:

  • West Oakland Bart Station

  • 245 Second St

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Oakland to San Luis Obispo?

Search Bus Tickets

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.