5.0
Pros: Safe n sound. Cons: Our 2 seats were reserved but the driver put us behind the driver which we don’t like it. Tips: Worth for the money!
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Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to San Jose. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to San Jose usually takes around one hour and 33 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 55 minutes.
| Distance | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Shortest duration | 0h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $13.49 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from San Francisco to San Jose
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to San Jose?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to San Jose cost $13.49 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. 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
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to San Jose in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $13 to $13. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 15, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to San Jose this week, bus tickets are available starting at $13.
Monthly average prices
Traveling from San Francisco to San Jose by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $11 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 10 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $0.38 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to San Jose?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to San Jose that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 4 | 1h 4m | $13.58 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 1h 50m | $13.50 |
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 San Francisco to San Jose, 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 2 bus trips from San Francisco to San Jose every day, with the average journey taking around 1 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Jose usually start from $13.
Frequently Asked Questions
San Jose is 1 hour and 50 minutes from San Francisco by bus. By train, it’s about 1 hour and 45 minutes. In miles, San Jose is about 55 miles (89 kilometers) south of San Francisco.
The best way to travel to San Jose from San Francisco is by bus, thanks to the super cheap ticket prices. Greyhound is the only bus carrier that travels this route, offering 8 trips per day. The average bus ticket costs $12.15, with a duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Traveling by Amtrak, there are 6 daily routes with tickets averaging about $23, but the nearest train station is in Emeryville (near Oakland), so you will have to travel outside of SF proper in order to catch the train.
San Francisco to San Jose is a very doable day-trip. By bus it takes just 1 hour and 50 minutes to get there, which means you’ll have a full day to spend in San Jose if you depart early in the morning. The earliest bus departs at 6:00 a.m., and the latest bus departs at 11:00 p.m., which would allow you a maximum of about 15 hours in San Jose before needing to catch the bus home.
The bus takes an average of one hour and 33 minutes to cover the 42 miles from San Francisco to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 55 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.
Because many passengers travel from San Francisco to San Jose at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to San Jose every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from San Francisco to San Jose without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to San Jose; ticket prices start at $22.00.
City Information
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
San Francisco has two bus stations with service to San Jose.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?
Main arrival station: Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Jose.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
Diridon Station
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