background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Santa Cruz to San Francisco

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

Santa Cruz to San Francisco 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.

Bus from Santa Cruz to San Francisco: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Santa Cruz to San Francisco usually takes around 3 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 14 minutes.

Distance59 mi (95 km)
Shortest duration3h 14m
Cheapest price$19.69
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

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

What bus companies travel from Santa Cruz to San Francisco?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. FlixBus US is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US13h 16m$20.44
  • 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 Cruz to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Cruz to San Francisco

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 59 miles from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 14 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.

Travel trends tend to vary greatly for bus trips from Santa Cruz to San Francisco.

There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. It leaves the station in Santa Cruz at 6:00pm 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 Santa Cruz to San Francisco. 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 Santa Cruz to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $32.00.

City Information

San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - SFO-0

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-1

Image credit: Unsplash

San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.

If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.

Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Santa Cruz?

Main departure station: Santa Cruz Bus Stop

Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Cruz.

All bus stations in Santa Cruz:

  • Santa Cruz Bus Stop

Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?

Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center

All buses from Santa Cruz arrive at one main station in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Salesforce Transit Center

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?

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.