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San Francisco to Los Angeles bus

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San Francisco - Los Angeles Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 49 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles usually takes around 10 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours,

Distance347 mi (559 km)
Shortest duration7h 0m
Cheapest price$26.98
Trips per day27
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Hart

June 17, 2022- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: The waiting roms were comfortable with restrooms nearby and wifi. The announcement were clear and comprehensible. Instructions for finding the bus departure point were precise. The bus driver was adorable, very diplomatic when he had to calm down argumentative passengers. Cons: The wifi on the bus itself wasn't strong enough.

4.0

Helen

April 10, 2022- Vacation

Greyhound

Pros: The Greyhound bus saved us a fortune and we traveled from San Francisco to LA for less that $100 for two people. Cons: We booked our tickets in advance a year ago. Showed up at the bus station and initially didn’t try to get on the first LA bus to arrive, saying we were taking the 12.45am bus. Luckily the staff said this bus doesn’t exist any more and when they scanned our tickets they were invalid. We had to go to Oakland on the bus to get our tickets reissued and lucky there was still room for us. For those booking tickets in advance, we could have done with better communication from Greyhound who hadn’t told us about this change in schedule. Thankfully, the kind driver sorted us out, otherwise this would have seriously messed up our travel plans. If I’d been organised enough to book tickets in advance, I expect to be contacted about schedule changes. The only email I received from Greyhound was one about how to wear a face covering! Tips: Snacks- you stop at standard bus stations rather than service stations, with no food/ drink stalls or vending machines. Pack plenty of food, snacks and drinks with you. It is a slow ride to LA due to the number of stops- so make the most of it by bringing plenty of books and something to watch. If this bus ride is in the middle of a busy trip, appreciate the time where you can rest and don’t have to do anything!

5.0

Alia

February 5, 2021

Greyhound

Bus was on time

5.0

Ma

October 28, 2019- Visiting friends

Megabus

Gg

5.0

Kaleb

October 25, 2019- Visiting family

Greyhound

Cons: I enjoyed my trip, however, when there's a layover, it should be more visible to the buyer.. Tips: Nope..

San Francisco to Los Angeles Route Map

San Francisco Los Angeles

How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles cost $47.15 on average. Tickets cheaper than $47.15 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 prices by travel date

$105$70$35MarApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $42 to $91. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 10, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Los Angeles this week, bus tickets are available starting at $45.

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $50. If you're planning to take the bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $58. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

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 $40.82 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Los Angeles that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 32 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US329h 43m$63.53
Greyhound1711h 1m$62.09
  • 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 32 trips per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles, 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 17 bus trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 1 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Los Angeles usually start from $27.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, a bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles is too far for a day trip. The bus trip itself takes between 8 and 9 hours. This route is worth it for a trip of at least two days, which will give you more time to experience L.A.

The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 347 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Los Angeles at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 49 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 27 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 Francisco to Los Angeles; ticket prices start at $44.00.

City Information

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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?

Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

Buses to Los Angeles leave from 3 stations in San Francisco.

All bus stations in San Francisco:

  • Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St

  • Salesforce Transit Center

  • 700 Beach Street

Where does the bus arrive in Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: North Hollywood Bus Station

Buses arrive in Los Angeles at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Los Angeles:

  • North Hollywood Bus Station

  • 800 N Alameda St

  • San Fernando Bus Station

  • 592 Gayley Ave

  • Downtown - Vignes Lot

  • 1658 N Orange Drive

  • Los Angeles Un Station Arrival

  • USC - 3492 S Hope St

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

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