Is there a way to reach San Diego from Los Angeles without a car?

You can take a bus or a train to go from Los Angeles to San Diego. Both are easy and eco-friendly ways to travel to San Diego. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travelers.

How long is the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

The average travel time from Los Angeles to San Diego is about 3h 30m, but you can get there in as little as 1h 35m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 112 miles (180 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego?

The distance separating Los Angeles and San Diego is 112 miles (180 km).

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

If you're headed to San Diego from Los Angeles, chances are that your bus will leave from UCLA and arrive at Mission Valley Sheraton. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the cheapest way to go from Los Angeles to San Diego?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $24.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

You can expect to pay around $36 for a bus ticket. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $24 to $73, so it's good to do your research before booking.

Can you do a day trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Yes, it's possible to take a day trip from Los Angeles to San Diego! The total travel time for the round-trip is about 3h 10m. So you'll have enough time to visit San Diego before returning to Los Angeles in the evening.

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 Torrey Pines Gliderport, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, La Jolla Cove, Coronado and SeaWorld San Diego.

Los Angeles, US to San Diego (CA), US Bus Tickets

TomorrowMay 10

from $25

SunMay 11

from $25

MonMay 12

from $25

TueMay 13

from $25

WedMay 14

from $25

ThuMay 15

from $25

FriMay 16

from $25

SatMay 17

from $25

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 10 at 11:30pm
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: UCLA
Arrival time: May 11 at 5:25am
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 55m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 10 at 5:45pm
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Downey - Stonewood Centre
Arrival time: May 10 at 7:20pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: UCSD Health La Jolla Station
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1h 35m
Departure time: May 10 at 5:50am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Los Angeles Union Station
Arrival time: May 10 at 9:15am
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: San Diego (Old Town-FlixBus)
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 25m
Departure time: May 10 at 6:05am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Los Angeles Union Station
Arrival time: May 10 at 9:30am
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Greyhound Bus Stop
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 25m
Departure time: May 10 at 6:45am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood
Arrival time: May 10 at 1:15pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: San Diego (Old Town-FlixBus)
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 30m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Los Angeles to San Diego.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$24 - $73	Average Duration3h 30m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$38 - $54	Average Duration2h 54m	CO₂ emissions 16kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
Shuttle	Average Price$61 - $66	Average Duration2h 35m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the train from Los Angeles to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 2 hours 54 minutes and with fares starting at just $38, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

31train per day

2h 54mAverage Duration

$38Cheapest ticket

16kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Los Angeles to San Diego: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$36

Average bus trip duration3h 30m

Number of daily buses78

Earliest bus departure12:05am

Distance116 miles (187 km)

Latest bus departure11:55pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,560 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Customers appreciate the punctuality and friendliness of the drivers, as well as the cleanliness of the buses. However, some users noted a lack of WiFi and proper waiting areas at certain locations. Additionally, there were occasional communication issues with staff regarding bus departures and instances where trips took longer than expected due to delays.

FlixBus Los Angeles San Diego recent customer reviews

The bus was delayed for over 25 minutes. And then when I went inside to ask when the bus will arrive ( since online suppose to arrive 11:11 instead of 10:50 ) I came back after few minutes to be surprised that the bus left!! I was shocked that I had to wait 25 minutes But the bus didn’t wait a minute , I wasn’t notified any sort of communication that the bus left or will leave !! I had to wait till 5:50am ( 7 hours ) to catch the other bus. Yet they didn’t accept my ticket and they make me pay another trip fees The worse experience I’ve ever had in my life. And I’ll definitely warn everyone I know about this incident!!!

Rabee G.

June 1, 2024

the 3 hours delay at night in LA at station full of criminals. I had to take a taxi for 160$ I want to get back to my money that I paid for bus but 3 helplines rerouted me and could not help me.

Sona K.

April 12, 2024

Finding the exact location for pick up was extremely hard. There was no signs or staff outside. I waited at one spot and apparently missed my bus as it was an unbranded bus. Very frustrating after a full day of traveling

Pierre S.

February 29, 2024

Los Limousines

3.5/5193 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.7

Cleanliness3.8

Wifi2.8

Based on 193 reviews, the company was rated 3.3 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the timeliness. Los Limousines ticket prices on this trip start at $40.00

Los Limousines Los Angeles San Diego recent customer reviews

No, I didn’t used Los Limousines

Rosamaria G.

March 21, 2025

Arrived 1 hour late, missed my flight

Billy F.

December 14, 2024

Great driver.

Pedro Antonio B.

December 11, 2024

Fronteras del Norte

Greyhound

3.5/586,969 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

According to customer reviews, the service has received positive feedback regarding excellent and clean facilities. However, some customers have experienced issues with timing and buses not showing up at all. These incidents should be addressed in order to improve the overall experience for passengers.

Greyhound Los Angeles San Diego recent customer reviews

I was basically dumped off at a location l was not verified for, i.e., old Town instead of the greyhound station where l was to be picked up. I am a senior citizen. This was a struggle for me.

Maxine S.

July 8, 2023

Horrible timing the staff was great but they need to work their system because one bus never even showed up

Tasi L.

November 7, 2022

The bus broke down I missed my doctor's appointment and have no way of stay for another day. I aamm very upset and don't know what to do

Tomari Atiba D.

November 21, 2019

Amtrak

4/55,108 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Users have shared positive experiences about their trips, highlighting the comfort of the seats and amenities such as air conditioning, internet access, and chargers. Additionally, they appreciated that the bus arrived at its destination on time. Overall, these reviews reflect a pleasant and comfortable travel experience with reliable service.

Amtrak Los Angeles San Diego recent customer reviews

It was very comfortable to seat, air conditioner, internet and charger, got to SD on time.

Viktoriia M.

September 11, 2023

Great customer service and trains on time

Ricardo M.

December 23, 2024

It was really a nice and pleasant trip

Prem K.

June 19, 2024

Tufesa

3.5/5661 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness4

Wifi3.1

According to multiple reviews, customers express dissatisfaction with the service provided by the bus company. They mention waiting for hours in dangerous neighborhoods and experiencing long delays without any buses showing up. These issues seem to be consistent across several reviews, indicating a recurring problem with reliability and punctuality.

Tufesa Los Angeles San Diego recent customer reviews

Bus was scheduled for 2:45 am. We showed up at 2:30 and stayed until 3:30. The bus never showed up and we had to leave because it’s not exactly a nice area at all.

Devin C.

October 12, 2022

Waited outside at 2 am and waited almost an hour and a half and it never came

Francisco F.

November 3, 2022

The bus never arrived had me waiting for hours in a dangerous neighborhood

Alejandro J.

May 7, 2022

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Los Angeles to San Diego Bus

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

We make sure you can find a bus service from Los Angeles to San Diego from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles and San Diego?

Stops in Los Angeles

A - UCLA

B - Ramirez Street bus stop

C - East LA I-5 & I-710

D - 613 Maple Ave

E - Los Angeles International Airport

F - LAX Airport Holiday Inn

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 Los Angeles - San Diego

Is there a way to reach San Diego from Los Angeles without a car?
How long is the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?
What is the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Los Angeles to San Diego?
What is the cheapest way to go from Los Angeles to San Diego?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?
Can you do a day trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?
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

05/07

$25

05/08

$38

Today

$25

05/10

$25

05/11

$25

05/12

$25

05/13

$25

05/14

$25

The cheapest trip from Los Angeles to San Diego was searched and found on May 7, 2025 with a price of $25

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

You can expect to pay from $25 to $85 for a bus ticket from Los Angeles to San Diego based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $25 which is on 2025-05-10.

Usually FlixBus Inc., Fronteras del Norte 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 Los Angeles to San Diego.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

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

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

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Los Angeles to San Diego, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

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 there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

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 Los Angeles to San Diego?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time3h 30m	Avg Price$36	Daily Departures78
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time2h 54m	Avg Price$39	Daily Departures31

Will you be returning to Los Angeles by bus?

Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego

You can also go to San Diego by train

Train from Los Angeles to San Diego

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Bus Los Angeles to San Diego: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Los Angeles to San Diego Bus

Where are the popular stops in Los Angeles and San Diego?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Los Angeles - San Diego

Is there a way to reach San Diego from Los Angeles without a car?

How long is the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

What is the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego?

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

What is the cheapest way to go from Los Angeles to San Diego?

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Can you do a day trip from Los Angeles to San Diego?

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

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

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

Will you be returning to Los Angeles by bus?

You can also go to San Diego by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Los Angeles

Buses Leaving from Los Angeles

Buses Going to Los Angeles

Popular Buses Connecting San Diego

Buses Leaving from San Diego

Buses Going to San Diego

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers