How can I travel from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo without a car?

Taking the bus is the best way to travel to San Luis Obispo without a car. The bus trip is an affordable, safe and convenient way to travel between the two cities. Alternatively, you can also use carpooling services.

How long does it take to get to San Luis Obispo from San Francisco by bus?

On average, the trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo takes around 4h 25m, although the fastest bus will take 4h 25m, on average. This is the time it takes to travel the 202 miles (326 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

The distance separating San Francisco and San Luis Obispo is 202 miles (326 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

The majority of buses traveling from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo start their journey at Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf) and wind up at AMTRAK Station. These are the most popular departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the most cost-effective way to get from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. $44 is the starting point for the cost-effective bus ride to San Luis Obispo from San Francisco.

How much are the bus tickets from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

You can expect to pay around $50 for a bus ticket. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $44 to $97, so it's good to do your research before booking.

San Francisco (CA), US to San Luis Obispo Bus Tickets

TomorrowApr 25

from $39

SatApr 26

SunApr 27

MonApr 28

TueApr 29

WedApr 30

ThuMay 1

FriMay 2

Next departures to San Luis Obispo

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: April 25 at 9:30am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: 409 Townsend St, SF
Arrival time: April 25 at 1:55pm
Destination city: San Luis Obispo
Destination location: San Luis Obispo
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 25m
Departure time: April 25 at 11:40am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: 409 Townsend St, SF
Arrival time: April 25 at 4:05pm
Destination city: San Luis Obispo
Destination location: San Luis Obispo
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 25m
Departure time: April 25 at 6:55am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: April 25 at 4:15pm
Destination city: San Luis Obispo
Destination location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 9h 20m
Departure time: April 25 at 7:00am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: April 25 at 4:15pm
Destination city: San Luis Obispo
Destination location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 9h 15m
Departure time: April 25 at 12:50pm
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: April 25 at 7:15pm
Destination city: San Luis Obispo
Destination location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 25m

Accepted payments

Bus San Francisco to San Luis Obispo: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$50

Average bus trip duration4h 25m

Number of daily buses1

Earliest bus departure6:30am

Distance198 miles (319 km)

Latest bus departure11:40am

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,391 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.

Amtrak

4/55,074 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

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

San Francisco to San Luis Obispo Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to San Luis Obispo from San Francisco, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in San Francisco and San Luis Obispo?

Stops in San Francisco

A - Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf)

B - Powell Station

C - Union Square Hilton

D - San Francisco Greyhound Station

E - 444 Townsend St.

Stops in San Luis Obispo

A - AMTRAK Station

B - San Luis Obispo Bus Stop

Frequently asked questions for your trip San Francisco - San Luis Obispo

How can I travel from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo without a car?
How long does it take to get to San Luis Obispo from San Francisco by bus?
What is the travel distance from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?
What is the most cost-effective way to get from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?
How much are the bus tickets from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

04/22

$67

04/23

$67

Today

$67

04/25

$39

04/26

No data

04/27

$39

04/28

$36

04/29

No data

The cheapest trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo was searched and found on Apr 28, 2025 with a price of $36

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 San Luis Obispo, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $36 to $217 for a bus ticket from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $36 which is on 2025-04-28.

Usually Amtrak 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

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo.

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

Did you know?

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!

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

Will you be returning to San Francisco by bus?

Bus from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

You can also go to San Luis Obispo by train

Train from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. 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 San Francisco, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA