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Cheap bus tickets from Seattle to San Francisco

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Seattle to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Seattle to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$94.98
Avg. Price
$173.11
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
4
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
1d 1h 43m
Duration
23h 25m

Bus from Seattle to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Seattle to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Seattle to San Francisco usually takes around 24 hours and 57 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 20 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance679 mi (1093 km)
Shortest duration20h 55m
Cheapest price$77.96
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Seattle to San Francisco cost $81.30 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 Seattle to San Francisco by travel date

$135$90$45AprMay

If you're planning to travel by bus from Seattle to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $73 to $126. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 21, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $97.

Average bus ticket prices from Seattle to San Francisco by month

$175$140$105$70$35MJJASONDJFMA
Taking the bus from Seattle to San Francisco is usually cheapest in April, when the average ticket price is only $115. If you're planning to take the bus from Seattle to San Francisco during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $175. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$225$180$135$90$453020100

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 24 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $122.87 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Seattle to San Francisco?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Seattle to San Francisco. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US41d 0h 58m$142.38

  • 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 4 trips per day from Seattle to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

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

The drive from Seattle to San Francisco covers 807 miles through the southern half of Washington, Oregon, and the northern half of California. A bus trip between Seattle and San Francisco takes around 21 hours.
The best way to travel from Seattle to San Francisco depends on your budget and schedule. If cost is your primary concern, the best way to travel from Seattle to San Francisco is by bus. Bus tickets can easily be found for $86, but a train trip (which takes just as long as the bus) might cost $111, even if booked a month ahead of your trip.
San Francisco is made up of a number of great neighborhoods, all with their own draws for visitors. Union Square is a great central location and puts you in walking distance of some terrific shopping options, nightlife, museums and Oracle Park. It’s also easy to catch public transportation from Union Square to other San Francisco neighborhoods, like Nob Hill and Chinatown. Union Square also offers hotels at a range of prices, so it’s a popular spot with first-time visitors. Fisherman’s Wharf is another popular district for tourists, especially those with families. The area boasts the Maritime Museum, Madame Tussauds, and more — including tours to nearby Alcatraz Island. Other popular neighborhoods include North Beach, also known as the Little Italy of San Francisco; Nob Hill for a sense of luxury dating back to the Gold Rush–era (although this luxury often comes with a higher hotel cost); The Mission, which often has better weather than the rest of San Francisco and has a strong Latino arts scene and some reasonably priced hotels; and Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of hippie culture in the 1960s and home to an enduring cool, alternative vibe.

The bus takes an average of 24 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 679 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 20 hours and 55 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Seattle 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 2:00pm and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Seattle to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Seattle 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 Seattle to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $127.00.

City Information

Seattle

Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveler. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best vacation destination in Washington.

Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.

Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.

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 Seattle?

Main departure station: U of Washington (Condon Hall)

Seattle has two bus stations with service to San Francisco.

All bus stations in Seattle:

  • U of Washington (Condon Hall)

  • Bus Terminal - 503 S Royal Brougham 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

Find the best way to get to and from any station in San Francisco by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

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