Bus Tickets from San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA

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TodayApr 25
TomorrowApr 26
from US$36
SunApr 27
MonApr 28
TueApr 29
WedApr 30
ThuMay 1
FriMay 2

Next departures to Santa Cruz

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Francisco
    Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Francisco
    Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Francisco
    Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Francisco
    Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Francisco
    Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:20 AM PDT.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Accepted payments

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Bus San Francisco to Santa Cruz: Trip Overview

Average Ticket PriceUS$36
Average Bus Trip Duration5h 1m
Number of daily buses3
Earliest bus departure6:40am
Distance97 km
Latest bus departure7:40pm

San Francisco to Santa Cruz Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make sure you can find a bus service from San Francisco to Santa Cruz from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Frequently asked questions on the trip San Francisco - Santa Cruz

  1. How long is the bus ride from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?

    The typical travel time from San Francisco to Santa Cruz by bus is around 5h 1m. For the shortest travel time, select the fastest bus available, which will take you to Santa Cruz in about 3h 32m.

  2. How far is San Francisco from Santa Cruz?

    The distance between San Francisco and Santa Cruz is approximately 96 km (60 miles).

  3. What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?

    Buses departing from Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf) in San Francisco will take you to Metro Center Bus Station in Santa Cruz.

  4. What is the cheapest way to travel from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?

    The least expensive way to go from San Francisco to Santa Cruz would be going by bus. Starting at US$36, this bus is the most cost-effective option for your journey.

  5. How much does it cost to take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Cruz?

    You can expect to pay around US$36 for the bus ride from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
04-23
No data
04-24
US$33
Today
US$33
04-26
US$33
04-27
No data
04-28
No data
04-29
No data
04-30
No data
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz was searched and found on Apr 24, 2025 with a price of US$33

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$33 to US$33 for a bus ticket from San Francisco to Santa Cruz based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$33 which is on 2025-04-26.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between San Francisco and Santa Cruz!

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from San Francisco to Santa Cruz will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travellers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

Will you be returning to San Francisco by bus?

Bus from San Francisco to Santa Cruz

You can also go to Santa Cruz by train

Train from San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Why choose Busbud?

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