Cheap bus tickets from California to San Francisco
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Bus from California to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from California to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from California to San Francisco usually takes around 63 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 62 hours and 10 minutes.
Distance | 1615 mi (2599 km) |
Shortest duration | 62h 10m |
Cheapest price | $343.00 |
Most frequent service | Greyhound |
Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from California to San Francisco?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from California to San Francisco. Greyhound 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Greyhound | 2 | 2d 15h 28m | $395.90 |
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 California to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 63 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $343.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from California to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 63 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 1615 miles from California to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 62 hours and 10 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from California to San Francisco for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 3:00pm and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from California to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
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 California?
Main departure station: 164-198 W Versailles Ave
Most buses depart from the main station in California.
All bus stations in California:
164-198 W Versailles Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to California?
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- Bus Tickets
- United States
- California
- San Francisco
- California to San Francisco