Cheap bus tickets from Portland to San Francisco

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Bus from Portland to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Portland to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Portland to San Francisco usually takes around 18 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 16 hours and 40 minutes.

Distance: 536 mi (862 km)
Shortest duration: 16h 40m
Cheapest price: TRY 3,463.39
Trips per day: 0
Most frequent service: Greyhound
Bus lines: 1

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Portland to San Francisco Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Portland to San Francisco (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

3.5

2.0

Donna

January 28, 2026 - Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: I got to see my pregnant daughter, kiss my g-baby in her tummy. Cons: The prices, and more comfortable seating. Tips: I don't know if the wifi was working. On the other bus it was going to Canada, but I'm not sure about coming back. Other than that, my trip was an successful. I had to handle some business and got it done. Then came home.

5.0

Aleksandra

August 24, 2019 - Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: Passengers were really funny and driver was really friendly Cons: Some passengers made me feel unsafe

There are several bus options that can take you from Portland to San Francisco:

Greyhound: 2 daily buses from TRY 3,463

See more details

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Portland to San Francisco cost TRY 4,105.12 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 TRY 3,562 to TRY 5,807. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 21, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at TRY 4,050.

Average bus ticket prices from Portland to San Francisco by month

Taking the bus from Portland to San Francisco is usually cheapest in June, when the average ticket price is only TRY 5,514. If you're planning to take the bus from Portland to San Francisco during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of TRY 6,930. 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 22 days in advance. This way, you can save up to TRY 6,248.45 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Portland to San Francisco?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Portland 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	18h 24m	TRY 6,643.91

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 18 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from TRY 3,463.39.

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

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Portland to San Francisco. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Portland to San Francisco; ticket prices start at TRY 5,075.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 18 hours and 24 minutes to cover the 536 miles from Portland to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 16 hours and 40 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)

536

Distance (km)

862

The first bus leaves at 12:35am and the last bus leaves at 7:05pm. To see the times for all buses from Portland to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

12:35am

Latest bus

7:05pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Francisco at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Portland

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

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

Need a return trip from San Francisco to Portland?

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