background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Jose

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 San Jose Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
fromCZK 668.14

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

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to San Jose.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
CZK 1,241.40
Avg. Price
CZK 1,938.04
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
6
Duration
Duration
3h 39m
Duration
8h 54m

Bus from San Luis Obispo to San Jose: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Luis Obispo to San Jose. Traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to San Jose usually takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance158 mi (254 km)
Shortest duration3h 10m
Cheapest priceCZK 979.49
Trips per day3
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 San Jose

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Elijah

March 9, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: The bus was on time and easy to check-in and load my bag. It was a very smooth ride and got me to my destination in a timely manner. Cons: The location in San Luis Obispo where I got on the bus had no clear signage or demarkation for the bus ride. I had to ask someone around the area for help.

4.0

Edith

October 11, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: No to have to drive. Cons: If there are more train trsnsportation available. It isconvenient to be able to walk and strech the legs. Tips: Easy and secure way to travel.

How much is a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to San Jose?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Luis Obispo to San Jose cost CZK 1,046.30 on average. Tickets cheaper than CZK 1,046.30 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

CZK 1,670CZK 1,336CZK 1,002CZK 668CZK 334JJASONDJFMAM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to San Jose, mark your calendar for September. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just CZK 846. However, taking the bus from San Luis Obispo to San Jose during March is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of CZK 1,425. The best way to find deals on a trip in March is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

CZK 1,670CZK 1,336CZK 1,002CZK 668CZK 3343020100

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 25 days in advance to save CZK 308.01 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to San Jose?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Luis Obispo to San Jose that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway14h 6mCZK 1,370.13
FlixBus US23h 20mCZK 1,210.00
  • 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 San Jose start at CZK 1,314. 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 2 trips per day from San Luis Obispo to San Jose, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

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

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 158 miles from San Luis Obispo to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 10 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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 Jose. 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, 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.

The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00am. To see the times for all buses from San Luis Obispo to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Luis Obispo to San Jose. 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 Luis Obispo to San Jose; ticket prices start at CZK 979.93.

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.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: San Luis Obispo Bus Station

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

All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • San Luis Obispo Bus Station

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?

Main arrival station: Diridon Station

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Jose.

All bus stations in San Jose:

  • Diridon Station

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from San Jose to San Luis Obispo?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.