Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Los Angeles
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Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles: Journey Information
There are 12 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles usually takes around 11 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 347 mi (559 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $40.47 |
| Trips per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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San Francisco to Los Angeles Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
There are usually 24 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$68.78Cheaper | Avg. Price$75.37 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips13 | Daily Trips24 |
Duration | Duration11h 25m | Duration10h 50mFaster |
| Search Buses | Search Trains |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from San Francisco to Los Angeles (Based on 14 ratings and reviews)
5.0
4.0
5.0
4.0
San Francisco to Los Angeles Route Map
There are several bus options that can take you from San Francisco to Los Angeles:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles cost $60.68 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 bus ticket prices from San Francisco to Los Angeles by travel date
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 $54 to $96. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on June 2, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Los Angeles this week, bus tickets are available starting at $59.
Average bus ticket prices from San Francisco to Los Angeles by month
Taking the bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles is usually cheapest in April, when the average ticket price is only $60. If you're planning to take the bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $95. 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 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $40.48 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
There are multiple buses that travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles, including FlixBus US, Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 8h 11m | $73.73 |
| Greyhound | 9 | 12h 57m | $86.24 |
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 3 trips per day from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and the average ticket for this route costs only $73.73.
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 9 bus trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles every day, with the average journey taking around 12 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Los Angeles usually start from $38.47.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
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.
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles cost $40 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.
There are 12 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 6 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 $46.
TRIPS PER DAY
12
DIRECT TRIPS
6
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 347 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 35 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
347
DISTANCE (KM)
559
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.
EARLIEST BUS
6:00am
LATEST BUS
11:00pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Francisco to Los Angeles 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, 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
San Francisco
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: Salesforce Transit Center
San Francisco has two bus stations with service to Los Angeles.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
- Salesforce Transit Center
- Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Where does the bus arrive in Los Angeles?
Main arrival station: San Fernando Bus Station
Buses arrive in Los Angeles at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Los Angeles:
- San Fernando Bus Station
- 800 N Alameda St
- North Hollywood Bus Station
- Downtown - Vignes Lot
- 592 Gayley Ave
From the Wanderu blog
Need a return trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
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