background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

San Diego to Sacramento bus

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

San Diego - Sacramento Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Journey Information

There are 30 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Sacramento. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Sacramento usually takes around 15 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest Autobuses Monarca bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance473 mi (761 km)
Shortest duration10h 30m
Cheapest price$57.98
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Diego to Sacramento

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Emma

October 17, 2019- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: Great bus drivers. Tips: Bring a pillow for overnight trips.

How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Sacramento?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Sacramento cost $76.69 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 prices by travel date

$135$90$45MarApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from San Diego to Sacramento in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $70 to $128. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 9, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Sacramento this week, bus tickets are available starting at $79.

Monthly avg. prices

$125$100$75$50$25AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from San Diego to Sacramento is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $78. If you're planning to take the bus from San Diego to Sacramento during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $108. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$353020100

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $112.04 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from San Diego to Sacramento?

There are 3 bus lines from San Diego to Sacramento available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 19 daily trips, FlixBus US 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
Autobuses Monarca111h 29m$97.00
FlixBus US1917h 50m$110.27
Greyhound1114h 43m$101.69
  • Book Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Sacramento from $95. Typically there is one Autobuses Monarca schedule per day from San Diego to Sacramento and you can expect on average to pay for a Autobuses Monarca ticket to Sacramento. In San Diego, Autobuses Monarca departs to Sacramento from San Ysidro CA . In Sacramento, Autobuses Monarca arrives at Fruitridge Rd 3330 .

    An average trip on Autobuses Monarca from San Diego to Sacramento takes 11 hours and 29 minutes , while the fastest available Autobuses Monarca trip will get you to Sacramento in 10 hours and 30 minutes .

    On weekends, Autobuses Monarca offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Sacramento.

  • 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 19 trips per day from San Diego to Sacramento, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 11 bus trips from San Diego to Sacramento every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 43 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Sacramento usually start from $56.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 473 miles from San Diego to Sacramento. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 hours and 30 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 San Diego to Sacramento 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Sacramento, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 30 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego to Sacramento every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 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 San Diego to Sacramento; ticket prices start at $58.00.

City Information

San Diego

San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.

Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.

Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Diego?

Main departure station: San Ysidro Transit Center

Buses to Sacramento leave from 8 stations in San Diego.

All bus stations in San Diego:

  • San Ysidro Transit Center

  • 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)

  • San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop

  • La Jolla - UC San Diego

  • 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village

  • Balboa Park - Presidents Way

  • SDSU - 5716 Hardy Ave

  • San Ysidro CA

Where does the bus arrive in Sacramento?

Main arrival station: 420 Richards Blvd

Buses arrive in Sacramento at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Sacramento:

  • 420 Richards Blvd

  • 961 2nd St

  • 2928 K Street (b/w 29th St & 30th St)

  • Fruitridge Rd 3330

Get around town with Moovit

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

Need a return trip from Sacramento to San Diego?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android