The cheapest and fastest buses from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$350
Average price
$387
Fastest journey
2 d 21 h 50 m
Average duration
3 d 3 h 7 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
3919 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA will cost around $387 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $350.
It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA without transferring at least 3 times.
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined5:35 PM69h50Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:25 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$3501One-way3 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined5:35 PM75h00Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station5:35 PMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$3541One-way4 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:45 AM75h20Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station11:05 AMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$4081One-way5 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:55 AM71h20Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station7:15 AMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$4101One-way5 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:10 PM84h05Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station7:15 AMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$4151One-way5 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined5:35 PM69h50Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station12:25 PMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$3501One-way3 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:55 AM71h20Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station7:15 AMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$4101One-way5 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined5:35 PM75h00Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station5:35 PMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$3541One-way4 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:45 AM75h20Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station11:05 AMSan Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA$4081One-way5 transfers
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined10:10 PM84h05Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station7:15 AMSan Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29$4151One-way5 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $107. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 26m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $107, and a train costs an average of $212.
Distance: 2435 miles (3919 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train |
|---|---|---|
$353 Average price | $266 Average price Cheapest | $708 Average price |
71h 50m Average total duration 71h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 26m Average total duration Fastest 6h 26m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 73h 44m Average total duration 73h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 11:05AM | Duration 75h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $408 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 71h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $410 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 69h50 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $331 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 84h05 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $393 |
Live departures
Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Wednesday, April 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 2:45 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 75h20 | 6:05 PM San Francisco, Townsend Street / 5th Street, CA | 5 transfers | |
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 2:55 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 71h20 | 2:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 5 transfers | |
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 9:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 69h50 | 7:25 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 3 transfers | |
| Thursday, April 2 | |||||
undefined · undefined · undefined · undefined | 2:10 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 84h05 | 2:15 PM San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 | 5 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Apr 02
Apr 03
Apr 04
Apr 05
Apr 06
Apr 07
Apr 08
Why should you book Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
Buses from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 71h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $154 (€125) but you can travel from only $107 (€87) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 05:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 2435 miles (3919 km) distance in 68h 40m.
Distance 2435 miles (3919 km) |
Average bus duration 71h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $154 (€125) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 68h 40m |
First bus 5:00 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA with Greyhound for as low as $107 (€87). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
- 05:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- McDonald's (in the station)
- Shake Shack (in the station)
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 96, 97, D6 Metro: Red Train: Amtrak, MARC, VRE
More options for your journey from Washington, DC to San Francisco, CA
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