How to travel from Tampa to San Francisco, United States of America

The distance between Tampa and San Francisco is around 2,406 miles (3,872km) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 7h 15m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Tampa to San Francisco by plane, subway, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out San FranciscoTampa if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Tampa (TPA) to San Francisco (SFO).

  • Duration7h 15m
  • Flight time5h 60m
  • Typical cost
    $370
Operated by

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

+ 4 others

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Tallahassee, St Louis then Barstow and then to San Francisco.

  • Duration2 days 22h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    $405
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Washington Union Station then Chicago Union Station and then to Richmond.

  • Duration3 days 20h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    $495
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to San Francisco.

  • Duration1 day 22h
  • Distance2,906 miles (4,676km)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Tampa and San Francisco

There are several options for getting from Tampa to San Francisco by plane, subway, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around $335 and will take around 7h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 7h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $370.

The distance between Tampa and San Francisco is around 2,406 miles (3,872km).

It takes around 7h 15m to get from Tampa and San Francisco by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 22h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Tampa to San Francisco is to fly which takes around 7h 15m and will set you back approx $370.

The cheapest way to travel between Tampa and San Francisco, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around $335 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Tampa and San Francisco. It typically takes around 3 days 20h and departs once daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Tampa to San Francisco. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Washington Union Station, ROCKVILLE station, Chicago Union Station and Richmond. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 3 days 20h.

Amtrak run train services between Tampa and San Francisco. Trains depart once daily and will take around 3 days 20h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Tampa and San Francisco. It typically takes around 2 days 22h and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Tampa to San Francisco. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Tallahassee, St Louis and Barstow. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 22h.

Greyhound USA and Flixbus USA run regular bus services between Tampa and San Francisco. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 2 days 22h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Tampa and San Francisco. Flights depart from Tampa (TPA) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO). The flight takes around 5h 60m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Tampa and San Francisco with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 5h 60m.

Alaska Airlines, Inc., United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Delta fly between Tampa and San Francisco. Flights depart from Tampa (TPA) and and arrive into San Francisco (SFO). These flights usually take around 5h 60m.

The flight from Tampa to San Francisco typically takes around 5h 60m. Flights depart from Tampa (TPA) and and arrive into San Francisco (SFO).

The closest major airport to San Francisco is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (SFO) which is approximately 18km (11 miles) from San Francisco. Oakland International Airport (OAK) (OAK) and Buchanan Field (CCR) (CCR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Tampa and San Francisco. The distance is around 2,906 miles (4,676km) by road and it will take around 1 day 22h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tampa to San Francisco is to fly which takes, on average, 7h 15m and will usually cost around $370.

How do I get from Tampa to San Francisco

Compare travel optionsbetween Tampa and San Francisco

Transport options from Tampa to San Francisco
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 2 similar
7h 15m
$370
every 30 mins3,885km (2,414 miles)
Fly to Oakland (OAK)7h 50m
$335
every 30 mins3,872km (2,406 miles)
Plane and Train8h 50m
$345
every 30 mins3,902km (2,425 miles)
Bus
2 days 22h
$405
6 times a week5,265km (3,271 miles)
Train
3 days 20h
$495
once daily6,776km (4,211 miles)
Drive
1 day 22h
$285
on demand4,676km (2,906 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Tampa and San Francisco

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near San Francisco

The following major airports near San Francisco offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United States of America and internationally.

SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
International Airport
Distance
11 miles (18km) from San Francisco
OAK
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
International Airport
Distance
12 miles (20km) from San Francisco
CCR
Buchanan Field (CCR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
25 miles (40km) from San Francisco