Cheap bus tickets from Reno to San Francisco

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Bus from Reno to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Reno to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Reno to San Francisco usually takes around 6 hours and 14 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance
186 mi (299 km)
Shortest duration
5h 50m
Cheapest price
$28.98
Trips per day
2
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
1

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Reno to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Reno to San Francisco (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Kyle

October 17, 2025 - Vacation

Greyhound
Pros: The bus driver was very professional. Cons: The bathrooms are even smaller than airplane bathrooms. Carve out more space in future bus designs. Tips: Bring enough food and drink to keep from being thirsty or hungry between longer bus breaks that let you get snacks and beverages.

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Reno to San Francisco cost $32.23 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

$75$50$25AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Reno to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $29 to $66. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 16, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $32.

Average bus ticket prices from Reno to San Francisco by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Reno to San Francisco is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $38. If you're planning to take the bus from Reno to San Francisco during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $50. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$2001020

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $46.17 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Reno to San Francisco?

There are multiple buses that travel from Reno to San Francisco, including Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound26h 14m$56.05
  • 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 14 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $28.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

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

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Reno 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 Reno to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $73.

TRIPS PER DAY

2

DIRECT TRIPS

2

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 14 minutes to cover the 186 miles from Reno to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 50 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

186

DISTANCE (KM)

299

The first bus leaves at 6:45am and the last bus leaves at 2:10pm. To see the times for all buses from Reno to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

6:45am

LATEST BUS

2:10pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Reno 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Thursday

City Information

Reno

RNO-0RNO-1RNO-2

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-0San Francisco, CA - SFO-1San Francisco, CA - SFO-2

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?

Main departure station: Reno Amtrak Train Station

280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-0280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-1280 N Center St  - RNOAMT-2

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

Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?

Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center

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

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Salesforce Transit Center

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Reno?

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