How much is the bus ticket from Santa Maria to San Diego?

The cheapest bus tickets from Santa Maria to San Diego start from $115. The average price for this route is around $115. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus ride from Santa Maria to San Diego?

The average bus travel time from Santa Maria to San Diego is 8h 55m, covering a distance of 390 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 8h 13m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which bus companies service the Santa Maria to San Diego route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 1 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak , FlixBus .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Santa Maria to San Diego?

The earliest bus departs from Santa Maria to San Diego at 8:05pm. And the latest bus departs at 8:30pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Santa Maria to San Diego?

A bus trip from Santa Maria to San Diego generates an estimated 10 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

What is the best bus company from Santa Maria to San Diego?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak , with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5627 reviews.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Santa Maria to San Diego?

Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Santa Maria to San Diego?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus , with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Santa Maria to San Diego?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak , with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Bus Santa Maria to San Diego from $110 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for Santa Maria to San Diego on December 10
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:40am	Nicholson Ave	8h 27m	1:07pm	Santa Fe Depot	Cheapest
4:40am	Nicholson Ave	8h 13m	12:53pm	Old Town San Diego	Fastest
4:40am	Nicholson Ave	8h 27m	1:07pm	Santa Fe Depot	No tags
11:15am	Nicholson Ave	8h 49m	8:04pm	Santa Fe Depot	No tags
11:15am	Nicholson Ave	8h 49m	8:04pm	Santa Fe Depot	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Sunday at 3:11 PM PST.

Get from Santa Maria to San Diego

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 8 hours 55 minutes, and with fares starting at just $115, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1bus per day

8h 55mAverage Duration

390 kmDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

Compare bus companies

Amtrak

4/55,633 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

FlixBus

3.5/511,559 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

US Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Big Sky

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Santa Maria, US to San Diego, CA, US by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the bus ticket from Santa Maria to San Diego?
The cheapest bus tickets from Santa Maria to San Diego start from $115. The average price for this route is around $115. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Santa Maria to San Diego?
The average bus travel time from Santa Maria to San Diego is 8h 55m, covering a distance of 390 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 8h 13m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which bus companies service the Santa Maria to San Diego route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 1 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Santa Maria to San Diego?
The earliest bus departs from Santa Maria to San Diego at 8:05pm. And the latest bus departs at 8:30pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Santa Maria to San Diego?
A bus trip from Santa Maria to San Diego generates an estimated 10 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Santa Maria to San Diego?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5627 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Santa Maria to San Diego?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Santa Maria to San Diego?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Santa Maria to San Diego?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

12-07

No data

12-08

No data

Today

No data

12-10

$110

12-11

No data

12-12

No data

12-13

No data

12-14

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The cheapest trip from Santa Maria, US to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Dec 10, 2025 with a price of $110

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

You can expect to pay from $110 to $140 for a bus ticket from Santa Maria, US to San Diego, CA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $110 which is on 2025-12-10.