Cheap bus tickets from Dallas to San Marcos

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Bus from Dallas to San Marcos: Journey Information

There are 17 intercity buses per day from Dallas to San Marcos. Traveling by bus from Dallas to San Marcos usually takes around 4 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance
211 mi (340 km)
Shortest duration
3h 15m
Cheapest price
$33.98
Trips per day
16
Most frequent service
Tornado Bus
Bus lines
3

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Dallas to San Marcos Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Dallas to San Marcos?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Dallas to San Marcos.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$61.77Avg. Price$39.06Cheaper
Daily Trips17Daily Trips1
Duration4h 33mFasterDuration7h 30m
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Dallas to San Marcos (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Bertrand

July 22, 2025 - Visiting friends

FlixBus US
Pros: Punctuality of the bus through out the Trip. Friendly drivers at all times and ever-ready to assist. Cons: So far so good. Keep it up, FlixBus management. Tips: Convivial and friendly people

5.0

Amith

June 10, 2019 - Business

Tornado Bus
Pros: I booked the trip because this had the best travel time (3 hrs 30 mins) from Jefferson Blvd, Dallas to San Marcos and they took me to San Marcos on time which was really great. Cons: They could add announcements in English along with Spanish. Tips: The service is good and the people are friendly. Just be sure to enquire around since all the announcements and boards are in Spanish. The seats are not the best but for short trips they are fine.

How much is a bus ticket from Dallas to San Marcos?

Bus tickets for a trip from Dallas to San Marcos cost $59.33 on average. Tickets cheaper than $59.33 are an excellent bargain. 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 Dallas to San Marcos by travel date

$75$50$25SepSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Dallas to San Marcos in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $58 to $63. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 9, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Marcos this week, bus tickets are available starting at $58.

Average bus ticket prices from Dallas to San Marcos by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Dallas to San Marcos is usually cheapest in May, when the average ticket price is only $59. If you're planning to take the bus from Dallas to San Marcos during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $82. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$1501020

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 6 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $5.35 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Dallas to San Marcos?

There are 3 bus lines from Dallas to San Marcos available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 11 daily trips, Tornado Bus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US65h 4m$49.82
Greyhound25h 55m$54.11
Tornado Bus113h 57m$70.00
  • 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 6 trips per day from Dallas to San Marcos, and the average ticket for this route costs only $49.82.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 Dallas to San Marcos every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Marcos usually start from $33.98.

    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
  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Dallas to San Marcos

There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from Dallas to San Marcos every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 16 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Dallas to San Marcos; ticket prices start at $28.

Trips per day

17

Direct trips

16

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 211 miles from Dallas to San Marcos. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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)

211

Distance (km)

340

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:55pm. To see the times for all buses from Dallas to San Marcos, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

7:00am

Latest bus

11:55pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Dallas to San Marcos 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to San Marcos, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Dallas

Dallas, TX - DAL-0Dallas, TX - DAL-1Dallas, TX - DAL-2

Dallas is one of the most vibrant and modern cities in Texas, as well as one of the state's best vacation destinations. While it is one of the foremost business, telecommunications and transportation hubs in the United States, Dallas is also one of the most exciting cities when it comes to culture and nightlife opportunities.

When you are planning a trip to Dallas, make sure you leave time in your schedule to check out some of the city’s world-famous museums. Some must-visits include The Sixth Floor Museum (that commemorates the assassination of John F. Kennedy), the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

If you want some fresh air and a feast to the eyes, you must visit the remarkable Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which boasts one of the best botanical collections in the entire country. And if you are after some tasty grub and good people watching, then head to Stone Street Gardens, a row of restaurants located on a charming red brick strip surrounded with tons of greenery.

Both the main train station in Dallas, the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station, and the main bus station are located in the heart of the city’s downtown historic district just a few blocks away from each other. That makes it super convenient to travel to Dallas from various places in Texas and the rest of the U.S. or Mexico. The stations’ central location also allows for an easy transfer to and from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport that is located pretty far outside the city.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Dallas?

Main departure station: 535 E Jefferson Blvd

Buses to San Marcos leave from 5 stations in Dallas.

All bus stations in Dallas:

  • 535 E Jefferson Blvd
  • 8630 E R L Thornton Fwy
  • Dallas Bus Station
  • 2424 Swiss Ave (Lizard Lounge)
  • Market Center - 7014 N Stemmons Fwy

Where does the bus arrive in San Marcos?

Main arrival station: Restaurant Mazatlan

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Marcos.

All bus stations in San Marcos:

  • Restaurant Mazatlan
  • 338 S Guadalupe St - San Marcos Intermodal Station

Need a return trip from San Marcos to Dallas?

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