Bus Tickets from Chicago to San Francisco, US

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TodaySep 1
from US$328
TomorrowSep 2
WedSep 3
from US$209
ThuSep 4
FriSep 5
SatSep 6
SunSep 7
MonSep 8

Cheap buses leaving Wednesday

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: September 3 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
    Arrival time: September 5 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
    Operated by: FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: September 3 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
    Arrival time: September 5 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
    Operated by: FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: September 3 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
    Arrival time: September 5 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: 409 Townsend St, SF
    Operated by: FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: September 3 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
    Arrival time: September 6 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
    Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: September 3 at
    Departure city: Chicago
    Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
    Arrival time: September 5 at
    Destination city: San Francisco
    Destination location: 409 Townsend St, SF
    Operated by: FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to San Francisco

Bus
Average PriceUS$110 - US$800Average Duration2d 10h
75kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train
Average PriceUS$120 - US$1,581Average Duration2d 10h
271kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the bus from Chicago to San Francisco

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach San Francisco. The journey takes about 2 days, 10 hours 10 minutes, and with fares starting at just US$110, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

20bus per day
2d 10hAverage Duration
US$110Cheapest ticket
75kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Chicago to San Francisco, US: Trip Overview

Average Ticket PriceUS$245
Average Bus Trip Duration2d 10h
Number of daily buses20
Earliest bus departure12:15am
Distance2984 km
Latest bus departure11:50pm

Chicago to San Francisco Bus

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

Bus service from Chicago to San Francisco will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

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

Frequently asked questions on the trip Chicago - San Francisco, US

  1. What is the travel distance from Chicago to San Francisco?

    The distance between Chicago and San Francisco is approximately 2987 km (1852 miles).

  2. What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from Chicago to San Francisco?

    Buses departing from Downtown Greyhound Station in Chicago will take you to Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf) in San Francisco.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
08-30
US$339
08-31
US$143
Today
US$396
09-02
US$221
09-03
US$227
09-04
No data
09-05
US$205
09-06
US$168
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Chicago to San Francisco, US was searched and found on Aug 31, 2025 with a price of US$143

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

You can expect to pay from US$143 to US$396 for a bus ticket from Chicago to San Francisco, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$168 which is on 2025-09-06.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

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

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Chicago to San Francisco, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

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 Chicago to San Francisco.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Chicago to San Francisco while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

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.

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

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to San Francisco, US?

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

Bus from San Francisco, US to Chicago

Why choose Busbud?

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