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Cheap bus tickets from Reno to San Francisco

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

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Reno to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Reno to San Francisco?

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Reno to San Francisco.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$31.70

Avg. Price

$82.88

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

3

Daily Trips

4

Duration

Duration

6h 34m

Duration

7h 10m

Search BusesSearch Trains

Bus from Reno to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Reno to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Reno to San Francisco usually takes around 6 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance186 mi (299 km)
Shortest duration5h 30m
Cheapest price$26.99
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Reno to San Francisco

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Rafael

February 28, 2020- Vacation

Greyhound

Pros: Smooth ride. Driver is helpful. Cons: When someone took the seat across our seats, the seat slide backwards, luckily no one is seated on backseat, otherewise a person could be seriously hurt. The seats must be permanently secured. Tips: Greyhound is good.

5.0

Sydney

November 4, 2019- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: Very nice driver and early arrival. Cons: Air circulation, kind of stuffy inside the bus.

5.0

Rose

October 20, 2019- Vacation

Greyhound

Comfortable

How much is a bus ticket from Reno to San Francisco?

Bus tickets for a trip from Reno to San Francisco cost $27.52 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Reno to San Francisco by travel date

$45$30$15NovNov

Bus tickets from Reno to San Francisco are expected to cost between $27 and $38 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to San Francisco within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $27. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Average bus ticket prices from Reno to San Francisco by month

$50$40$30$20$10DJFMAMJJASON
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Reno to San Francisco, mark your calendar for January. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $26. However, taking the bus from Reno to San Francisco during March is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $39. The best way to find deals on a trip in March is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 14 days in advance to save up to $7.21.

What bus companies travel from Reno to San Francisco?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Reno to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US15h 30m$31.28
Greyhound26h 56m$29.17
  • 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 Reno to San Francisco, 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 Reno to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $27.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Reno to San Francisco

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 186 miles from Reno to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in San Francisco. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Reno to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Reno to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Reno to San Francisco without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Reno to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $46.00.

City Information

Reno

Dazzling with neon lights and bustling through the night, Reno is a great destination for those seeking top-class entertainment. Though considerably outshined by Las Vegas, Reno still brings unique attractions to the table. Among the most notable destinations for non-gamblers is an independent art scene down at Riverwalk, where indie galleries as well as restaurants abound. Fans of the great outdoors should not miss out on nearby Lake Tahoe, which stands among the most beautiful vacation destinations in the country.

At its core, Reno is still a city for gamblers, and it certainly does not disappoint. Slot machines, table games and cabaret shows are available at the local casinos, ready to tempt risk-takers who wish to court Lady Luck.

Right in the heart of downtown Reno, you will find the Reno Amtrak station from where you can take a train to Northern California and beyond. The local Reno-Tahoe International Airport is located outside of the city and it provides quick access to international flight routes. The main bus stop that serves Reno is also located at the airport.

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 Reno?

280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-0

Image credit: Mark Hogan

Link to image attribution
280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-1

Image credit: Mark Hogan

Link to image attribution
280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-2

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Reno Amtrak Train Station

The Amtrak Station in Reno is one of the main travel hubs in the city and opened in 1868. Located on North Center St, the station is surrounded by the casinos, restaurants, and hotels which put Reno on the map. Due to its downtown location, the station waiting area and the train tracks are actually placed below ground level. The California Zephyr train line passes through this station on its route from Chicago to Emeryville as well as Amtrak Thruway buses which connect to Sacramento.

All bus stations in Reno:

  • Reno Amtrak Train Station

  • Silver Legacy Bus Stop - W 5th St

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

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Need a return trip from San Francisco to Reno?

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