5.0
Pros: Passengers were really funny and driver was really friendly. Cons: Some passengers made me feel unsafe.
Cheap bus tickets from Portland to San Francisco
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Portland to San Francisco?
There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Portland to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$96.83 | Avg. Price$181.13 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration17h 41m | Duration18h 58m |
Bus from Portland to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Portland to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Portland to San Francisco usually takes around 17 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 536 mi (862 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $61.47 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Portland to San Francisco
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a bus ticket from Portland to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Portland to San Francisco cost $88.49 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Portland to San Francisco by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Portland to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $76 to $114. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on June 25, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $92.
Monthly avg. prices
Taking the bus from Portland to San Francisco is usually cheapest in May, when the average ticket price is only $98. If you're planning to take the bus from Portland to San Francisco during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $137. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 25 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $87.10 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Portland to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Portland 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.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 17h 11m | $124.70 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 17h 38m | $105.16 |
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 Portland 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 Portland to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 17 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $61.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Portland to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 536 miles from Portland to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 45 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Portland to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Portland to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Portland to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $153.00.
City Information
Portland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of the state's best vacation destinations. Also known as the City of Roses, this city along the Willamette River wows visitors with its diverse street food, quirky counterculture, and sprawling bookstores such as the world-famous Powell's Books.
Portland is the 5th best city in the United States for outdoor activities, thanks in part to open-air grounds like the expansive Forest Park. Gardens are also excellent outdoor date locales for couples on a romantic getaway: stop and smell the roses at either the International Rose Test Garden or the Portland Japanese Garden.
Once you've gotten hungry from a long day wandering outside, nearly every block downtown has a plethora of food trucks waiting to tickle your taste buds. Or, kick back at one of the many breweries in the #3 best city for craft beer in the United States. Unique locations like McMenamin's brewpubs in renovated cinemas or historic hotels do their part to "keep Portland weird."
As the biggest city in Oregon, Portland is a hub for travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. Amtrak train service and various bus services operate primarily out of Union Station, conveniently-located downtown, and nearby Portland International Airport makes it easy to travel to Portland from near and far.
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 Portland?
Main departure station: 7411 NW Station Way
Most buses depart from the main station in Portland.
All bus stations in Portland:
7411 NW Station Way
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 Portland?
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