Previously seen trips
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Nicholson Ave | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | ||||
 | Bus | Nicholson Ave | Downtown SD (Seaport) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Nicholson Ave | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Nicholson Ave | Downtown SD (Seaport) | No tags | ||||
| Bus | Nicholson Ave | Santa Fe Depot | No tags |
Get from Santa Maria to San Diego
The journey takes about 9 hours 5 minutes, and with fares starting at just $112, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Compare bus companies
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 $112. The average price for this route is around $112. 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 9h 5m, covering a distance of 390 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 8h 12m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which bus companies service the Santa Maria to San Diego route?
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 5752 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.
The cheapest trip from Santa Maria, US to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Jan 27, 2026 with a price of $107To 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 $107 to $136 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 $107 which is on 2026-01-31.
