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Santa Monica to Palm Desert buses

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Trip Overview

The average bus between Santa Monica and Palm Desert takes 6h 25m and the fastest bus takes 5h 9m. The bus service runs several times per day from Santa Monica to Palm Desert. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use the search form on this page to search for a specific travel date.

6h 25m
Duration
160 mi
Distance
$31
Average price
5 times a day
Frequency

Line 33 bus, bus

best
  1. Take the bus from 2nd / Broadway to Patsaouras Transit Plazabus bus 33
  2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Indio Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US1000 / ...
5h 44m
$23–38

Santa Monica to Palm Desert bus times

Buses run 5 times a day between Santa Monica and Palm Desert. The earliest departure is at 6:54 AM in the morning, and the last departure from Santa Monica is at 10:04 PM which arrives into Palm Desert at 5:45 AM. All services require a transfer at Los Angeles Union Station and take an average of 6h 25m. The schedules shown below are for the next available departures.

Departing Thursday, November 5, 2026

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit6h 16m • 2 changes

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    Arrives next day

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 41m • 2 changes

Departing Friday, November 6, 2026

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 55m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 2m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit6h 9m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 43m • 2 changes
  • Show more

Departing Saturday, November 7, 2026

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 45m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 1m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 16m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 59m • 2 changes
  • Show more

Departing Sunday, November 8, 2026

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 45m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 1m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 16m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 59m • 2 changes
  • Show more

Departing Monday, November 9, 2026

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 55m • 2 changes

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    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 2m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 25m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit6h 16m • 2 changes
  • Show more

Departing Tuesday, November 10, 2026

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 55m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 2m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 25m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit6h 16m • 2 changes
  • Show more

Departing Wednesday, November 11, 2026

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit5h 55m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesGreyhound USASunline Transit7h 2m • 2 changes

  •  → 

    Metro Los AngelesFlixbus USASunline Transit5h 9m • 2 changes

Frequently asked questions

Want to know about travelling from Santa Monica to Palm Desert? We have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions from our users such as: What is the cheapest mode of transport? What is the quickest option? How much do tickets usually cost? and many more.

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Palm Desert.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 160.3 mi
  • Duration: 6h 25m

What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Palm Desert, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to Hwy 111 at San Luis Rey via Los Angeles Union Station, Indio Bus Station, and Hwy 111 at Golf Center Pkwy in around 5h 44m.

Operators