There are 11 ways to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco by plane, subway, tram, bus, train, night bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly Los Angeles to San Francisco • 3h 48m
$51 - $170
Cheapest option
Bus • 9h 25m
$40 - $75
9 alternative options
Fly Los Angeles to Oakland, BART • 3h 43m
$44 - $202
Fly Burbank to Oakland, BART • 3h 41m
$60 - $328
Fly Burbank to San Francisco • 3h 48m
$63 - $306
Fly Los Angeles to San Jose, BART • 5h 14m
$68 - $173
Fly Burbank to San Jose, BART • 5h 11m
$115 - $479
Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach, fly to Oakland, BART • 5h 19m
$1,216 - $1,368
Train, Caltrain • 11h 45m
$64 - $88
Night bus • 10h 28m
$82 - $122
Drive • 6h 21m
$35 - $55
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in United States
2m
Regional advice
Travel within United States
Domestic border crossings may be subject to approval, testing and quarantine
Observe COVID-19 safety rules
COVID-19 help in United States
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Domestic border crossings may be subject to approval, testing and quarantine
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in San Francisco is 800-232-4636.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in San Francisco is subject to regional advice.
The social distance requirement in San Francisco is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636.
Last updated: 12 Jan 2021
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC).
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco is to drive which costs $35 - $55 and takes 6h 21m.
The quickest way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco is to fly and BART which costs $55 - $330 and takes 3h 41m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Los Angeles, Ca and arriving at San Francisco, Ca. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 25m.
No, there is no direct train from Los Angeles station to San Francisco. However, there are services departing from Los Angeles Union Station and arriving at San Francisco Caltrain via San Jose Diridon Caltrain. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 45m.
The distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco is 349 miles. The road distance is 383.6 miles.
The best way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco without a car is to bus which takes 9h 25m and costs $40 - $75.
It takes approximately 3h 48m to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco, including transfers.
Los Angeles to San Francisco bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Los Angeles, Ca station.
Los Angeles to San Francisco train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Los Angeles Union Station.
The best way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco is to fly which takes 3h 48m and costs $50 - $170. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $40 - $75 and takes 9h 25m, you could also train and Caltrain, which costs $60 - $90 and takes 11h 45m.
- Distance: 349.5 miles
- Duration: 3h 48m
What companies run services between Los Angeles, CA, USA and San Francisco, CA, USA?
United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc. and four other airlines fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Los Angeles, Ca to San Francisco, Ca every 4 hours. Tickets cost $45 - $65 and the journey takes 9h 25m. Two other operators also service this route.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45 - $350
Flights from Los Angeles to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65 - $170
Flights from Burbank to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190 - $260
Flights from Burbank to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $45 - $230
Flights from Los Angeles to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70 - $430
Flights from Burbank to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95 - $200
Flights from Long Beach to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $500
Flights from Long Beach to Oakland via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180 - $600
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40 - $200
Flights from Los Angeles to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75 - $320
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $12 - $210
Flights from Los Angeles to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $15 - $280
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45 - $220
Flights from Burbank to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $75 - $390
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50 - $240
Flights from Los Angeles to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100 - $460
- Website
- jetblue.com
Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70 - $800
- Website
- spirit.com
Flights from Los Angeles to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $35 - $250
- Phone
- 94604-2688
- Website
- bart.gov
Subway from Oakland Coliseum - OAC to Powell Street
- Ave. Duration
- 23 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $3 - $5
- Website
- bart.gov
Subway from Milpitas to Powell Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $7 - $10
- Website
- bart.gov
- Website
- metro.net
Tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A Line to Del Amo Station
- Ave. Duration
- 33 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 215-856-7924
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Los Angeles Union Station to San Jose Diridon Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 1m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55 - $80
- Schedules at
- amtrak.com
- Coach Seat
- $55 - $80
- Premium
- $240 - $330
- Flexi Coach Seat
- $100 - $150
- Business Seat
- $100 - $150
- Phone
- +1 650-508-6200
- Website
- caltrain.com
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain to San Francisco Caltrain
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $9 - $12
- Schedules at
- caltrain.com
- Website
- ridelbt.com
Bus from Del Amo Station Bay 2 to Del Amo & Lakewood Se
- Ave. Duration
- 17 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- Long Beach Transit
Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.
Rome2rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100/1-800-231-2222
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Los Angeles, Ca to San Francisco, Ca
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $45 - $65
- Website
- greyhound.com
- Economy
- $45 - $65
- Flexible
- $70 - $110
- Phone
- +1 408-729-7885 / +1-888-834-9336
- Website
- xedohoang.com
Bus from Los Angeles, CA to San Francisco, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $75
- Schedules at
- xedohoang.com
- Website
- gotobus.com
Bus from Chinatown Station to San Francisco, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $60
- Book at
- gotobus.com
- help@ridecabin.com
- Website
- ridecabin.com
Night bus from Santa Monica to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 8h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80 - $120
- Schedules at
- ridecabin.com
- Book at
- ridecabin.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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The quickest flight from Los Angeles Airport to San Francisco Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 19m.
Los Angeles to San Francisco bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at San Francisco, Ca station.
Los Angeles to San Francisco train services, operated by Caltrain, arrive at San Francisco Caltrain station.
Yes, the driving distance between Los Angeles to San Francisco is 384 miles. It takes approximately 6h 21m to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and three other airlines offer flights from Los Angeles Airport to San Francisco Airport.
Book your Los Angeles to San Francisco bus tickets online with Busbud.
There are 2323+ hotels available in San Francisco. Prices start at $100 USD per night.
The best way to get from Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport is to bus which takes 39 min and costs $8 - $10.