Cheap bus tickets from Santa Maria to San Francisco
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Santa Maria to San Francisco Bus Schedule
Bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco usually takes around 5 hours and 3 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours,
| Distance | 224 mi (361 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $51.98 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Maria to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Maria to San Francisco cost $57.98 on average. Tickets cheaper than $57.98 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
What bus companies travel from Santa Maria to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Maria to San Francisco 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 | 2 | 5h 50m | $54.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 5h 0m | $75.03 |
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 Maria to San Francisco start at $54. 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 Santa Maria to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 3 minutes to cover the 224 miles from Santa Maria to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours. 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 Maria to San Francisco 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to San Francisco, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Maria to San Francisco. It leaves the station in Santa Maria at 3:00pm 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 Maria to San Francisco. 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 Santa Maria to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $95.00.
City Information
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Maria.
All bus stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
San Francisco, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Santa Maria?
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