Santa Cruz, CA, USA to San Luis Obispo, CA, USA from $9: 7 ways by bus, train, flight or car
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How to Get from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way
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$9 by trainBest price
262 kmDistance
2h 50m Fastest
Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options
Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.
Santa Cruz - San Luis Obispo operators
Explore transport companies operating between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.
Contact phone
+1 (831) 425-8600Website
http://www.scmtd.com
Bus from Front & Soquel Ave to Watsonville Transit Center
Average Duration
1hEstimated price
$94-92Bus from Soquel Ave & Front to Diridon Station
Average Duration
58mEstimated price
$94-92Bus from Ocean & Water to Diridon Station
Average Duration
56mEstimated price
$94-92Contact phone
+1 (855) 626-8585Website
flixbus.com
Bus from Salinas Train Station to San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
Average Duration
2h 5mEstimated price
$95-1625Contact phone
+1 800-872-7245Website
https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Salinas to San Luis Obispo
Average Duration
3h 18mEstimated price
$162-90Train from San Jose to San Luis Obispo
Average Duration
4h 15mEstimated price
$165-161Contact phone
+1 800-660-4287Website
http://www.caltrain.com
Train from San Jose Diridon to Millbrae
Average Duration
1h 12mEstimated price
$92-10Website
united.com
Plane from San Francisco Airport to San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport
Average Duration
1h 16mEstimated price
$163-164Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips
Traveling between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.
🚗 Embark on a scenic road trip from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo, covering a distance of 163 miles in about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Enjoy the beautiful coastal views and charming towns along the way.
💰 Prices for the journey from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo by car range from $29 to $45, offering budget-friendly options for travelers looking to explore the Central Coast of California on a dime.
Average price
$29 - $45
🚂 Traveling from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo by train takes approximately 7 hours and 5 minutes, offering a scenic journey through the beautiful California landscape.
🎫 The prices for train tickets between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo can range from $9 to $101, providing budget-friendly options for travelers exploring this route.
🛤️ Route 1 covers a distance of 196 miles and involves a transfer with two steps: taking a bus towards 17 - Highway 17 Express to San Jose, followed by a bus towards Santa Barbara with Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service for a total travel time of about 6 hours and 50 minutes.
🛫 Flying from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo is smooth and convenient with a direct flight from San Francisco Airport to San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport. The flight time is only 1 hour and 13 minutes, making it a quick journey for travelers. United Airlines provides flights for this route, ensuring a reliable and comfortable travel experience.
Departure Point
San Francisco Airport
Arrival Point
San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport
🚌 The journey from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo by bus takes approximately 5 hours and 52 minutes with transfers required along the way.
💵 Prices for the bus ticket between these two cities can range from $16 to $66, offering travelers multiple route options to choose from based on their preferences and convenience.
Departure Point
Front & Soquel Ave station
Arrival Point
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum station
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the route from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo.
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The cheapest way to get from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo is by driving. The estimated cost of gas for this trip is between $29 and $45, depending on the vehicle's fuel efficiency and gas prices. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, providing a budget-friendly option for travel between these two cities.
The fastest way to travel from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo is by driving. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
The distance from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo is approximately 225 km. When driving, the road distance is around 262 km. It typically takes around 2 hours and 50 minutes to drive from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo.
To travel from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo without a car, the best option is to take the bus. There are several bus companies that provide service between the two cities, with a travel time of around 5 hours and 47 minutes. The cost of the bus ticket can range from $16 to $70, depending on the type of ticket and the bus company.
The travel time from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo can vary depending on the mode of transportation chosen. Driving is the quickest option, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. If using public transportation, the journey can take around 5 hours and 47 minutes, including transfers.
There are a wide range of hotels available near San Luis Obispo. With 213+ options, travelers can find accommodations to suit their preferences and budget. Prices start at $45 per night, offering affordable options for those looking to save.
Yes, you can drive from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo. The driving distance between these two cities is approximately 262 km. It takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes to drive from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo, depending on traffic conditions. The route you would take is primarily along Highway 101 South, which is a scenic and well-maintained route.
Yes, there is a bus route available from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo but it requires transfers. The journey starts from Soquel Ave & Front in Santa Cruz and involves transfers at Watsonville Transit Center / Lane 2 and Salinas Train Station. The bus will ultimately arrive at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. The total travel time, including transfers, is approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes.
To catch the bus from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo you can go to the Soquel Ave & Front station. This is where the bus services operated by Santa Cruz Metro depart from.
The Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo bus, operated by Flixbus USA, arrives at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum station. This station is conveniently located in downtown San Luis Obispo and is easily accessible by foot or public transportation. Upon arrival, passengers can explore nearby attractions and landmarks, such as the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa or the downtown shopping district.
American Airlines and United Airlines are the two airlines that operate flights between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo. These flights are available from Monterey Airport to San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport.
The fastest way to get from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo by plane is to fly from Monterey Airport to San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport with a stopover. The quickest flight takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. American Airlines and United Airlines are the airlines that offer this route.
The shortest flight duration from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes with a layover. However, please note that there are no direct flights available between Monterey Airport and San Luis Obispo County Apt Airport.
The cost of a bus ticket from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo can range from $16 to $66.
The cost of driving from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo can range from $29 to $45.