There are 7 ways to get from San Diego to Alameda by plane, bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Oakland International Airport
best- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane SAN - OAK
1h 55m$65–282Bus (Flixbus)
- Take the bus from San Diego to Oaklandbus FlixBus N2003
10h 50m$80–130Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain Pacific Surfliner
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Oaklandtrain Coast Starlight
15h 11m$320–508Drive 488.7 mi
- Drive from San Diego to Alamedacar 488.7 mi
8h 11m$90–129Fly to San Francisco International Airport
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SAN - SFO
2h 18m$70–228Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, BART
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane SAN - SJC
- Take the subway from Milpitas to Fruitvalesubway
2h 56m$83–486Bus via San Francisco Bus Station (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to San Francisco Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0831
12h 58m$94–138
San Diego to Alameda by bus (Flixbus)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Alameda is to bus which costs $80 - $130 and takes 10h 50m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Alameda is to fly which takes 1h 55m and costs $65 - $290.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from San Diego and arriving at Oakland. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 10h 50m.
No, there is no direct train from San Diego to Alameda. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Oakland via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 15h 11m.
The distance between San Diego and Alameda is 456 miles. The road distance is 491.6 miles.
The best way to get from San Diego to Alameda without a car is to bus which takes 10h 50m and costs $80 - $130.
It takes approximately 1h 55m to get from San Diego to Alameda, including transfers.
San Diego to Alameda bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from San Diego station.
San Diego to Alameda train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Alameda is to fly which takes 1h 55m and costs $65 - $290. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $80 - $130 and takes 10h 50m, you could also train, which costs $320 - $550 and takes 15h 11m.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Alameda, Alameda County, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Oakland International Airport (OAK) every 2 hours. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from San Diego to Oakland once daily. Tickets cost $80–130 and the journey takes 10h 50m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Oakland International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–250
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–190
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–250
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Oakland International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–280
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–250
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–480
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–190
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–190
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 56m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $250–400
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-510-464-6000
- Website
- BART
Subway from Milpitas to Fruitvale
- Ave. Duration
- 42 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $6–9
- Website
- BART
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from San Diego to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80–130
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to San Francisco Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $90–140
- Website
- Greyhound
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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Booking & Getting There
San Diego to Alameda bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Oakland station.
San Diego to Alameda train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Alameda is 492 miles. It takes approximately 8h 11m to drive from San Diego to Alameda.
Book your San Diego to Alameda train tickets online with Omio.
Book your San Diego to Alameda bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 539+ hotels available in Alameda.












