Fastest way from Los Angeles to Bakersfield: Flight, about 0h 54min (from €204). Cheapest: Bus, from €21 (about 1h 45min – 2h 30min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): FlixBus, Tufesa Internacional, American Airlines; main departure point: Los Angeles Union Station.
There are 2 ways to get from Los Angeles to Bakersfield
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | Bus | Los Angeles Union Station | €21 | 13 |
| Greyhound | Bus | LA North Hollywood Bus Station | €27 | 6 |
| Tufesa Internacional | Bus | Huntington Park | €46 | 8 |
| United Airlines | Flight | Ontario Airport | €330 | 3 |
| American Airlines | Flight | Ontario Airport | €374 | 7 |
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Practical tips
On a route this short, a flight rarely saves you a day or a night. Compare door-to-door time in the table before choosing the plane, and you will avoid paying extra for little real gain.
Los Angeles has several pick-up points, and some are simply a curb on a street. Read the address in your e-ticket, drop it into your map app and confirm it the day before.
If you do fly, confirm both airports on your booking. Los Angeles has more than one airport nearby, and Bakersfield's airport sits outside the centre, so plan your onward ride before landing.
Do not plan around the final bus of the day. Traffic leaving Los Angeles can be heavy, so choose an earlier departure and keep a buffer if you have a connection or a hotel check-in.
Booking ahead usually gives the best fares, especially on weekends and holidays. Save the e-ticket offline on your phone so you can board even without a reliable signal at the stop.
The journey experience
Los Angeles to Bakersfield is a classic hop across the Grapevine and into the southern San Joaquin Valley. If you are travelling without a car, the choice comes down to two real options: a bus or a short domestic flight. The comparison table on this page puts duration and price range side by side, so you can see at a glance which one fits your plans and budget.
The bus is the straightforward, budget-friendly choice for most independent travellers. Services run throughout the day, seats are generally comfortable with space for luggage, and you travel city centre to city centre without airport procedures. The flight is faster in the air, but it means getting to the airport early, going through security and then reaching the city at the other end, which often cancels out much of the time saved.
My advice: unless you have a tight connection or a very specific schedule, the bus is the sensible default for this route. Before you book, check the exact departure stop in your e-ticket, because bus stops in Los Angeles can be on a street corner rather than in a big station. Book online for instant confirmation, travel with your ticket on your phone, and arrive a little early so you never miss your departure.
Frequently asked questions — Los Angeles → Bakersfield
For most travellers the bus is the better choice. The flight is only about 55 minutes, but airport check-in, security and getting into town add time and cost, while the bus runs city to city at a lower price. The plane makes sense only for a tight schedule or a connecting flight.
By bus, the trip takes roughly 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 depending on traffic and the departure you choose. By plane, the flight itself is about 55 minutes, but remember to add airport time before and after. Leave a buffer if you have a connection.
Bus tickets start from €21, and typical fares go up to €31. Flights start from €204, so the bus is considerably cheaper. Booking early generally helps you secure the lowest fares, especially on busy weekends and holiday periods.
The departure point depends on the service you book, and in Los Angeles it can be a station or a street stop. Your e-ticket shows the exact pick-up and drop-off address in Bakersfield, so check it before the day of travel and allow time to get there.
Your booking page shows whether a given departure is direct or involves a change, so check this before paying. If you have a flight or another connection afterwards, prefer a direct departure and leave a comfortable margin between arrival and your next step.
Why visit Bakersfield?
- ✓ Taste the Basque tradition at Noriega Hotel or Wool Growers, serving family-style dinners in Bakersfield's historic Basque community
- ✓ Discover the Bakersfield Sound at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, with live country music, dinner and a museum of memorabilia
- ✓ Explore the Kern County Museum, an open-air village of more than 50 restored historic buildings and exhibits
- ✓ Hike or kayak around Lake Isabella and the Kern River, about an hour from downtown, for wildflowers and whitewater
- ✓ Visit the Kern River Parkway and Park at River Walk for easy walks, birdwatching and picnics along the water
When to visit Bakersfield?
HOT SEMI-ARID CLIMATE
March to May and October to November — mild temperatures, avoiding the extreme summer heat above 38°C
What to do in Bakersfield?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Bakersfield?
Bakersfield works best as a 1 to 2 day stop. With one day, cover the Kern County Museum, the Buck Owens Crystal Palace and a Basque lunch downtown. With two days, add the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve or a drive to Kern River Valley. Avoid midsummer afternoons, when temperatures often top 100°F (38°C).
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