How do I get from Sacramento to San Diego without flying?

You have the option of traveling from one city to the other by either bus or train. The two options are practical and eco-friendly ways to reach San Diego. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long is the bus trip from Sacramento to San Diego?

On average, the trip from Sacramento to San Diego takes around 15h 15m, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 10h 35m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 473 miles (762 km) that separate the two cities.

How far is Sacramento from San Diego?

About 473 miles (762 km) separate Sacramento and San Diego.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Sacramento to San Diego?

Most of the buses traveling from Sacramento to San Diego leave from Greyhound Sacramento Station and arrive at Mission Valley Sheraton. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the cheapest way to go from Sacramento to San Diego?

Go for the bus if you want the most cost-effective way to travel this route. With prices starting at $64, you won't find a more affordable way to get there.

How much does a bus ticket from Sacramento to San Diego cost?

The average price of a one-way ticket from Sacramento to San Diego is $85. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $64 and $185, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Once in San Diego, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Pacific Surf School, Botanical Building and Lily Pond, USS Midway Museum, La Jolla Cove and The Gaslamp Quarter.

Sacramento, US to San Diego (CA), US Bus Tickets

TodayApr 25

TomorrowApr 26

from $80

SunApr 27

MonApr 28

TueApr 29

WedApr 30

ThuMay 1

FriMay 2

Next departures to San Diego

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: April 26 at 6:05pm
Departure city: Sacramento
Departure location: Sacramento Valley Station
Arrival time: April 27 at 5:25am
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 11h 20m
Departure time: April 26 at 10:45am
Departure city: Sacramento
Departure location: Greyhound Sacramento Station
Arrival time: April 26 at 11:50pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Greyhound Bus Stop
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 13h 5m
Departure time: April 26 at 6:00am
Departure city: Sacramento
Departure location: Sacramento Franklin Blvd
Arrival time: April 26 at 6:30pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Cross Border Xpress CBX (USA)
Operated by: Los Limousines
Vehicle: BusDuration: 12h 30m
Departure time: April 26 at 9:50am
Departure city: Sacramento
Departure location: Sacramento Valley Station
Arrival time: April 26 at 11:04pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 13h 14m
Departure time: April 26 at 10:20pm
Departure city: Sacramento
Departure location: Greyhound Sacramento Station
Arrival time: April 27 at 11:15am
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Greyhound Bus Stop
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 12h 55m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Sacramento to San Diego.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$64 - $185	Average Duration15h 15m	CO₂ emissions 19kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$85 - $182	Average Duration17h 38m	CO₂ emissions 69kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Sacramento to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 15 hours 15 minutes and with fares starting at just $64, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11bus per day

15h 15mAverage Duration

$64Cheapest ticket

19kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Sacramento to San Diego: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$85

Average bus trip duration15h 15m

Number of daily buses11

Earliest bus departure6:00am

Distance472 miles (761 km)

Latest bus departure10:20pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,944 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

Greyhound Sacramento San Diego recent customer reviews

Friendly staff and clean busses. Nice work!

Laura F.

May 12, 2017

Los Limousines

3.5/5188 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.8

Wifi2.8

FlixBus

3.5/58,402 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

FlixBus Sacramento San Diego recent customer reviews

Very good bus driver. Explained very well what was going on. Safe driver.

Marysue M.

December 22, 2024

Amtrak

4/55,075 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

According to the users, Amtrak provides a smooth and efficient service. The chat representative's assistance in modifying reservations has been positively highlighted, contributing to an overall satisfying experience without disruptions or delays.

Amtrak Sacramento San Diego recent customer reviews

Smooth ride without disruptions or delays. There was nothing to dislike.

Tiffani M.

March 22, 2025

Amtrak chat rep modified my reservation and made me very happy

Choco C.

August 5, 2024

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, New York Trailways, Wanda Coach

Sacramento to San Diego Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Sacramento to San Diego.

Bus service from Sacramento to San Diego will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

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

Where are the popular stops in Sacramento and San Diego?

Stops in Sacramento

A - Greyhound Sacramento Station

B - Old Sacramento

C - Fruitridge Rd

Stops in San Diego

A - Mission Valley Sheraton

B - Old Town Courtyard Marriot

C - Downtown Holiday Inn

D - Greyhound Station

E - Market St. & Park Blvd

F - San Ysidro McDonald's

Frequently asked questions for your trip Sacramento - San Diego

How do I get from Sacramento to San Diego without flying?
How long is the bus trip from Sacramento to San Diego?
How far is Sacramento from San Diego?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Sacramento to San Diego?
What is the cheapest way to go from Sacramento to San Diego?
How much does a bus ticket from Sacramento to San Diego cost?
What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

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

$80

04/24

$75

Today

$80

04/26

$80

04/27

$67

04/28

$74

04/29

$66

04/30

$70

The cheapest trip from Sacramento to San Diego was searched and found on Apr 29, 2025 with a price of $66

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

You can expect to pay from $66 to $171 for a bus ticket from Sacramento to San Diego based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $66 which is on 2025-04-29.

Usually LLIO will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Sacramento to San Diego but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Sacramento to San Diego, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

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

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Sacramento to San Diego.

Did you know?

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

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

What's the cheapest way to go from Sacramento to San Diego?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time15h 15m	Avg Price$85	Daily Departures11
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time17h 38m	Avg Price$117	Daily Departures9

Will you be returning to Sacramento by bus?

Bus from Sacramento to San Diego

You can also go to San Diego by train

Train from Sacramento to San Diego

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

Bus Tickets from Sacramento, CA to San Diego, CA