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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Salinas to Santa Cruz. Traveling by bus from Salinas to Santa Cruz usually takes around 13 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 23 minutes.
| Distance | 29 mi (47 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 23m |
| Cheapest price | $21.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Salinas to Santa Cruz?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Salinas to Santa Cruz. Amtrak Thruway 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 13h 48m | $21.00 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Salinas to Santa Cruz start at $21. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 13 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 29 miles from Salinas to Santa Cruz. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 23 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.
The first bus leaves at 1:00pm and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Salinas to Santa Cruz, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Salinas to Santa Cruz. 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 Salinas to Santa Cruz; ticket prices start at $25.00.
City Information
Salinas
Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Salinas?
Main departure station: 11 Station Pl
Most buses depart from the main station in Salinas.
All bus stations in Salinas:
11 Station Pl
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Metro Center - 920 Pacific Ave
All buses from Salinas arrive at one main station in Santa Cruz.
All bus stations in Santa Cruz:
Metro Center - 920 Pacific Ave
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