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Cheap bus tickets from Seattle to San Francisco

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Seattle to San Francisco Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Seattle to San Francisco.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
NOK 1,151.16
Avg. Price
NOK 1,419.37
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
22h 29m
Duration
1d 0h 30m

Bus from Seattle to San Francisco: Journey Information

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Seattle to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Seattle to San Francisco usually takes 21 hours and 58 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 20 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance679 mi (1093 km)
Shortest duration20h 5m
Cheapest priceNOK 788.84
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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

The average price for a train ticket from Seattle to San Francisco is NOK 963.13, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 28 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay NOK 1,311.41 more.

Monthly avg. prices

NOK 1,937NOK 1,549NOK 1,162NOK 775NOK 387AMJJASONDJFM
Mark your calendar for October if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Seattle to San Francisco. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of NOK 1,152. If you're planning a trip from Seattle to San Francisco during December, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about NOK 1,762 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

NOK 2,179NOK 1,743NOK 1,307NOK 871NOK 4363020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your bus trip from Seattle to San Francisco. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 28 days before departure, you can save around NOK 1,311.41. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

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 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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US221h 58mNOK 1,650.88

  • 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 2 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 21 hours and 58 minutes to cover the 679 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 20 hours and 5 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.

Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking buses from Seattle to San Francisco. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the bus and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The first bus leaves at 2:00pm and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Seattle to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Seattle 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 Seattle to San Francisco; ticket prices start at NOK 1,132.86.

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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