Cheap bus tickets from Santa Ana to San Jose
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Ana to San Jose?
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Santa Ana to San Jose.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$60.71 | Avg. Price$95.34 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration10h 19m | Duration11h 4m |
Bus from Santa Ana to San Jose: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Santa Ana to San Jose. Traveling by bus from Santa Ana to San Jose usually takes around 9 hours and 6 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 336 mi (540 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $34.97 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Santa Ana to San Jose
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $91
- FlixBus US: 1 daily buses from $35
- Greyhound: 2 daily buses from $35
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Ana to San Jose?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Ana to San Jose cost $49.63 on average. Tickets cheaper than $49.63 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.
Average bus ticket prices from Santa Ana to San Jose by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Santa Ana to San Jose in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $45 to $88. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on January 30, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to San Jose this week, bus tickets are available starting at $49.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 22 days in advance to save up to $52.19.
What bus companies travel from Santa Ana to San Jose?
There are 3 bus lines from Santa Ana to San Jose available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Greyhound offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 14h 55m | $91.44 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 10h 0m | $83.36 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 8h 51m | $62.88 |
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 Santa Ana to San Jose start at $91. 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 Santa Ana to San Jose, 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 Santa Ana to San Jose every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Jose usually start from $35.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Ana to San Jose
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 6 minutes to cover the 336 miles from Santa Ana to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 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.
Because many passengers travel from Santa Ana to San Jose 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, 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 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Ana to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Santa Ana to San Jose 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 Santa Ana to San Jose; ticket prices start at $57.00.
City Information
Santa Ana
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.
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 Santa Ana?
Main departure station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Ana.
All bus stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
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
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