There are 6 ways to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael by bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, plane, bus, or bus (Amtrak)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus (Flixbus)
best- Take the bus from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum to San Franciscobus FlixBus 2005
6h 10m$43–63Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Luis Obispo to Oaklandtrain Coast Starlight
7h 44m$70–150Drive 245 mi
- Drive from San Luis Obispo to San Rafaelcar 245 mi
4h 18m$45–65Fly from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, bus
- Fly from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SBP - SFO
- Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus
4h 1m$192–414Bus via Oakland (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Oaklandbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
7h 33m$71–106Bus to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, fly, bus
- Take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stopbus
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SBA - SFO
- Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus
6h 35m$209–443
San Luis Obispo to San Rafael by bus and foot (Flixbus)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael is to bus which costs $40 - $65 and takes 6h 10m.
The fastest way to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael is to fly and bus which takes 4h 1m and costs $190 - $420.
No, there is no direct bus from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael. However, there are services departing from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum and arriving at San Rafael Transit Center-Platform B via Townsend St & Lusk St and Mission St & 2nd St. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 10m.
No, there is no direct train from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael. However, there are services departing from San Luis Obispo and arriving at Montgomery Street via Lake Merritt. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 44m.
The distance between San Luis Obispo and San Rafael is 256 miles. The road distance is 246.5 miles.
The best way to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael without a car is to bus which takes 6h 10m and costs $40 - $65.
It takes approximately 6h 10m to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael, including transfers.
San Luis Obispo to San Rafael bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum station.
San Luis Obispo to San Rafael train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Luis Obispo station.
The best way to get from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael is to bus which takes 6h 10m and costs $40 - $65. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $70 - $150 and takes 7h 44m.
What companies run services between San Luis Obispo, CA, USA and San Rafael, CA, USA?
Flixbus USA operates a bus from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum to San Francisco 4 times a week. Tickets cost $30–55 and the journey takes 4h 35m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from San Luis Obispo to Oakland once daily. Tickets cost $60–140 and the journey takes 6h 1m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $23–170
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $24–160
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–180
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Luis Obispo to Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 1m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60–140
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum to San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $30–55
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
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Booking & Getting There
San Luis Obispo to San Rafael bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at San Francisco station.
San Luis Obispo to San Rafael train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Oakland station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Luis Obispo to San Rafael is 246 miles. It takes approximately 4h 18m to drive from San Luis Obispo to San Rafael.
There are 442+ hotels available in San Rafael.







