How to get to Irvine, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA

Mon 02 Nov
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Travel Information

Compare coach and train for San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £50 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £50, while a flight costs an average of £688.

Distance: 316 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Flight
Coach
Driving

£50

Average Price

Cheapest

£688

Average Price

£55

Average Price

£34

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

7h 21m

Average total duration

6h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 8m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 8m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

6h 22m

Average total duration

5h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 4m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

0.3 - 0.8kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

American Airlines

Most popular airline

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Compare ways to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA

Compare the available ways to get from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is a train with an average price of £50.

This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:

A train is £6 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average £55.

A train is £638 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average £688.

The fastest way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 5h 8m.

Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:

Coach takes on average 6h 22m.

Train takes on average 7h 21m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between San Luis Obispo, CA and Irvine, CA including taking a coach and train.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £50 compared to roughly £34 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -£16. The journey takes 6h 51m versus 4h 4m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Travel options
from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA

How to get to Irvine, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • FlixBus
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • FlixBus
    0 changes

Fastest

  • FlixBus
    0 changes

Other options

  • Amtrak
    0 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA

Travel to Irvine, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between San Luis Obispo, CA and Irvine, CA including taking a coach and train.
The cheapest way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is a train with an average price of £50.

This is compared to other travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:

A train is £6 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average £55.

A train is £638 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average £688.

The fastest way to travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is by flight with an average journey time of 5h 8m.

Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:

Coach takes on average 6h 22m.

Train takes on average 7h 21m.

The San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA distance is approximately 316 km.
The average frequency per day from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA is:
  • Around 6 flights per day.
  • Around 4 trains per day.
  • Around 2 coaches per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Luis Obispo, CA and Irvine, CA as scheduled services by coach and train can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:
  • Flights mostly depart from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport and arrive in John Wayne Airport.
  • Coaches mostly depart from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA and arrive in Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station).
  • Trains mostly depart from San Luis Obispo Station, San Luis Obispo, CA and arrive in Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
  • Travel with American Airlines, skywest airlines to go to Irvine, CA by flight.
  • Travel with FlixBus to go to Irvine, CA by coach.
Yes, there is a direct route available from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA:
  • 3 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Omio customers who travel from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA often also extend their vacation to go to San Diego, CA, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Oceanside, CA. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Irvine, CA and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA, you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.
In Irvine, CA, visitors can enjoy a range of activities including seasonal tours and fresh produce picking at Tanaka Farms, and diverse performances at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Nature enthusiasts can explore the serene San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and the expansive William R. Mason Regional Park, which offers picnic areas, walking trails, and paddle boating. For thrill-seekers, there's indoor go-kart racing at K1 Speed. Notable sights include the Orange County Great Park with its sports facilities and panoramic helium balloon ride, and the Irvine Spectrum Center, a hub for shopping and entertainment. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate hiking in Bommer Canyon, while families can enjoy the interactive exhibits at Pretend City Children's Museum. Art lovers can visit the Irvine Museum to admire California Impressionist art.
To fully explore Irvine, CA, including its parks, museums, and shopping areas, a stay of 2 to 3 days is generally sufficient.

Travelling from San Luis Obispo, CA to Irvine, CA: related information

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