Cheap bus tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego
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Los Angeles to San Diego Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to San Diego?
There are usually 45 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$39.64Cheaper | Avg. Price$43.33 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips86 | Daily Trips45 |
Duration | Duration4h 38m | Duration4h 13mFaster |
| Search Buses | Search Trains |
Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego: Journey Information
There are 89 intercity buses per day from Los Angeles to San Diego. Traveling by bus from Los Angeles to San Diego usually takes around 4 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Futura Net bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 19 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 19m |
| Cheapest price | $21.47 |
| Trips per day | 80 |
| Most frequent service | ExpressOne Shuttles |
| Bus lines | 6 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Los Angeles to San Diego (Based on 25 ratings and reviews)
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Los Angeles to San Diego Route Map
There are several bus options that can take you from Los Angeles to San Diego:
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $25
- ExpressOne Shuttles: 44 daily buses from $35
- FlixBus US: 19 daily buses from $21
- Futura Net: 24 daily buses from $37
- Greyhound: 14 daily buses from $24
- Tufesa Internacional: 3 daily buses from $38
How much is a bus ticket from Los Angeles to San Diego?
Bus tickets for a trip from Los Angeles to San Diego cost $38.54 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Diego by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Los Angeles to San Diego in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $36 to $44. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on June 4, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to San Diego this week, bus tickets are available starting at $38.
Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to San Diego by month
Taking the bus from Los Angeles to San Diego is usually cheapest in April, when the average ticket price is only $36. If you're planning to take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diego during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $43. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 17 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $5.32 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Los Angeles to San Diego?
There are multiple buses that travel from Los Angeles to San Diego, including Amtrak Thruway, ExpressOne Shuttles, FlixBus US, Futura Net. Here is what you should know about the 6 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 5h 50m | $25.68 |
| ExpressOne Shuttles | 44 | 5h 52m | $35.00 |
| FlixBus US | 19 | 4h 7m | $40.00 |
| Futura Net | 24 | 2h 49m | $45.48 |
| Greyhound | 14 | 5h 20m | $49.74 |
| Tufesa Internacional | 3 | 3h 15m | $38.00 |
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 Los Angeles to San Diego start at $25. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Book ExpressOne Shuttles from Los Angeles to San Diego from $35. There are 44 trips per day offered by ExpressOne Shuttles from Los Angeles to San Diego and you can expect on average to pay $35 for a ExpressOne Shuttles ticket to San Diego. In Los Angeles, ExpressOne Shuttles departs to San Diego from Los Angeles Main St and one other station. In San Diego, ExpressOne Shuttles arrives at San Ysidro Department of Homeland Security and one other station.
An average trip on ExpressOne Shuttles from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 5 hours and 52 minutes , while the fastest available ExpressOne Shuttles trip will get you to San Diego in 2 hours and 19 minutes .
On weekends, ExpressOne Shuttles offers 44 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $35 for a weekend trip to San Diego.
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 Los Angeles to San Diego, and the average ticket for this route costs only $40.
Book Futura Net from Los Angeles to San Diego from $37. There are 24 trips per day offered by Futura Net from Los Angeles to San Diego and you can expect on average to pay $45.48 for a Futura Net ticket to San Diego. In Los Angeles, Futura Net departs to San Diego from Los Angeles East 7th St . In San Diego, Futura Net arrives at Cross Border Xpress CBX and 2 other stations.
An average trip on Futura Net from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 2 hours and 49 minutes , while the fastest available Futura Net trip will get you to San Diego in 2 hours and 19 minutes .
On weekends, Futura Net offers 24 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $37 for a weekend trip to San Diego.
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 14 bus trips from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Diego usually start from $23.98.
Book Tufesa Internacional from Los Angeles to San Diego from $38. There are 3 trips per day offered by Tufesa Internacional from Los Angeles to San Diego and you can expect on average to pay $38 for a Tufesa Internacional ticket to San Diego. In Los Angeles, Tufesa Internacional departs to San Diego from 611 Maple Ave . In San Diego, Tufesa Internacional arrives at San Ysidro Bus Terminal .
An average trip on Tufesa Internacional from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 3 hours and 15 minutes , while the fastest available Tufesa Internacional trip will get you to San Diego in 2 hours and 19 minutes .
On weekends, Tufesa Internacional offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $38 for a weekend trip to San Diego.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
Bus tickets for a trip from Los Angeles to San Diego cost $21 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
There are 89 scheduled buses that travel from Los Angeles to San Diego every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 80 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 Los Angeles to San Diego; ticket prices start at $18.
TRIPS PER DAY
89
DIRECT TRIPS
80
The average bus takes 4 hours and 13 minutes to travel from LA to San Diego. However, the fastest bus can get you there in 2 hours and 19 minutes. The distance between LA and SD is 111 miles, or 179 kilometers, which makes for a manageable day trip. If you depart from Union Station in the morning, you will have plenty of time to enjoy San Diego in the daylight. Experience the beautiful beaches and ocean views, as well as famous sites like the San Diego Zoo and the U.S.S. Midway Museum. You can easily spend eight hours in San Diego before heading back to LA.
DISTANCE (MI)
111
DISTANCE (KM)
179
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Los Angeles to San Diego, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
2:00am
LATEST BUS
11:00pm
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in San Diego. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Los Angeles?
Main departure station: Los Angeles East 7th St
Buses to San Diego leave from 10 stations in Los Angeles.
All bus stations in Los Angeles:
- Los Angeles East 7th St
- Los Angeles Main St
- Downtown - Vignes Lot
- Los Angeles Santa Ana Fwy
- 800 N Alameda St
- San Fernando Bus Station
- North Hollywood Bus Station
- 611 Maple Ave
- USC - 3492 S Hope St
- 592 Gayley Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Diego?
Main arrival station: San Ysidro Department of Homeland Security
Buses arrive in San Diego at 11 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Diego:
- San Ysidro Department of Homeland Security
- San Ysidro Bus Terminal
- San Ysidro Transit Center
- San Diego Broadway
- Cross Border Xpress CBX
- San Diego University Ave
- La Jolla - UC San Diego
- San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- 2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
- 789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
From the Wanderu blog
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