Cheap bus tickets from Santa Maria to San Francisco
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Bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Maria to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco usually takes around 6 hours and 10 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 224 mi (361 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $54.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Santa Maria to San Francisco Bus Schedule
There are several bus options that can take you from Santa Maria to San Francisco:
See more detailsPrice trends for buses from Santa Maria to San Francisco
Average bus ticket prices from Santa Maria to San Francisco by travel date
Prices as travel date approaches
What bus companies travel from Santa Maria to San Francisco?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Maria to San Francisco. Amtrak Thruway is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 6h 10m | $54.00 |
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 Santa Maria to San Francisco start at $54. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Maria to San Francisco
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Maria to San Francisco. 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 Santa Maria to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $121.
Trips per day
2
Direct trips
2
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 224 miles from Santa Maria to San Francisco. 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.
Distance (mi)
224
Distance (km)
361
The first bus leaves at 3:30pm and the last bus leaves at 11:35pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Maria to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
3:30pm
Latest bus
11:35pm
The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.
Most crowded
Saturday
Least crowded
Saturday
City Information
San Francisco
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: San Francisco, California
Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
- San Francisco, California
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Santa Maria?
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