United States

How to get from Los Angeles to Riverside

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
0h 10min
💶
From
9€
📍
Distance
81 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Los Angeles to Riverside: Bus, about 0h 10min – 1h 25min, from €9. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Greyhound, FlixBus, Las Vegas Shuttles; main departure point: Los Angeles Union Station.

Distance: 81 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Los Angeles to Riverside

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
0h 10min – 1h 25min
9 – 14 €
View
🚌 Departure from Los Angeles
📍Most intercity buses leave from Los Angeles Union Station area or from a street stop nearby, depending on the operator. Always confirm the exact boarding address in your e-ticket, and arrive early with a photo ID and your ticket on your phone.
🚇From downtown Los Angeles, you can reach the departure point by Metro rail or bus, or by taxi or ride-hailing app. From LAX, take a shuttle or ride-hailing service to the city centre, then connect by Metro to your boarding point.
⏰Departures run throughout the day, with frequent services on this busy corridor. Early morning and evening options exist, but timetables vary by operator and day, so check the table for the current schedule.
💸 Transport from 9€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 0h 10min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 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.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Greyhound Bus Los Angeles Union Station €9 16
FlixBus Bus Downey Stonewood Center €12 12
Las Vegas Shuttles Bus Huntington Park €59 9
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Practical tips

💡
Bus is the sensible choice here

The two cities are close, so a flight makes no sense. Skip airport transfers and security queues, and take the bus from central Los Angeles straight to Riverside without worrying about a full day lost on the road.

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Check the exact boarding point

In Los Angeles, some buses leave from a station and others from a street stop. Read the boarding address in your e-ticket, check it on a map the day before, and don't assume every operator uses the same place.

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Confirm where you get off

Riverside has more than one possible drop-off point. Check the arrival stop in your booking and compare it with your accommodation or onward plans, so you do not end up far from where you need to be.

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Book early for better fares

Fares are usually lowest when booked ahead, and busy periods such as Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons fill up faster. Reserve online to secure your seat and receive an instant e-ticket on your phone.

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Mind the last departure

Build in a safety margin, especially if you arrive from the airport or have a connection. Traffic around Los Angeles can be heavy, so avoid choosing the last bus of the day for an important onward trip.

The journey experience

Los Angeles and Riverside are close neighbours in Southern California, and the bus is the option that matters here. You do not need to weigh up a flight or a long train ride: the real question is which departure suits your plans, and the comparison table on this page lays out durations, prices and frequencies side by side so you can see it at a glance.

The bus is the practical choice for independent travellers without a car. Services run on the busy Inland Empire corridor, with comfortable coaches that usually offer reclining seats, onboard Wi-Fi and space for luggage. Some departures are direct while others make a stop on the way, so check the details of each trip before you book. Operators on this corridor include well-known names such as FlixBus and Greyhound, and booking online gives you an instant e-ticket on your phone.

The main trap in the US is not the distance but the departure point: bus stops can be a street corner rather than a station. Always check the exact boarding address in your confirmation, arrive a little early, and look at where you will get off in Riverside. Book ahead for the lowest fares, particularly on Friday and Sunday, and keep an eye on the last departure of the day so you never miss your connection.

Frequently asked questions — Los Angeles → Riverside

Why visit Riverside?

  • ✓ Tour the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, a Spanish Revival landmark famous for its Festival of Lights
  • ✓ Hike or drive up Mount Rubidoux for sunset views over the Inland Empire and the Santa Ana River valley
  • ✓ Visit the California Citrus State Historic Park to learn about the origins of the navel orange industry
  • ✓ Explore the Riverside Metropolitan Museum and the California Museum of Photography in the walkable downtown
  • ✓ Stroll Riverside's Fox Performing Arts Center district and Main Street Pedestrian Mall for dining and live shows
🌙
Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — compact downtown sights, easy day trip from Los Angeles or Palm Springs

When to visit Riverside?

SEMI-ARID MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

March to May and October to November — mild temperatures, while summers often exceed 95°F (35°C)

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😞
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
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In Riverside — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Riverside
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Riverside?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🏛️
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Riverside's historic landmark, a Mission Revival and Spanish-style complex spanning a full downtown block. Even non-guests can walk the courtyards, chapel and Famous Rotunda. Free self-guided wandering; guided tours run about 15€. Visit in December to see the spectacular Festival of Lights.
🍊
Citrus State Historic Park
Step into the orange groves that made Riverside rich in the late 1800s. This state park offers trails, picnic areas and a visitor center on Southern California's citrus heritage. Entry is typically free or about 5€ for parking. Go in the morning, as shade is limited and summer afternoons get very hot.
🌳
Mount Rubidoux Sunrise Hike
A roughly 3-mile round trip to the summit, with views over the city and the Santa Ana River valley, plus the Peace Tower and historic markers. Free and open daily. Start before sunrise, bring water and a headlamp, and avoid midday heat. Parking is available along Mount Rubidoux Drive.
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Riverside Art Museum
Housed in a 1929 Julia Morgan-designed building, this museum shows regional contemporary art and hosts rotating exhibitions. Admission is usually around 5€, often free on certain days. Check the calendar before going, and pair the visit with a stroll through the surrounding downtown, which is compact and walkable.
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March Field Air Museum
One of the largest military aviation museums on the West Coast, with over 70 aircraft including an SR-71 Blackbird. Located next to March Air Reserve Base, about 15 minutes from downtown. Adults pay roughly 15€. Allow two to three hours and check opening hours, as it is typically closed some weekdays.
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Fairmount Park Stroll
A large, leafy city park along the Santa Ana River with a lake, rose garden, and shaded paths. It suits a relaxed afternoon, a picnic, or a bike ride on the nearby river trail. Free entry. Go on weekday mornings for quiet, and bring sun protection since open areas are exposed.
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Mexican Food in Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca is one of Riverside's oldest Mexican-American neighborhoods, with family-run taquerias and panaderías. Try carne asada tacos, tamales or fresh pan dulce. Expect meals from about 7€ to 12€. Bring cash for smaller spots and visit at lunch for the freshest, busiest service.
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Downtown Craft Beer Crawl
Riverside's downtown has a growing craft beer scene, with taprooms within walking distance of each other. Pints cost about 6€ to 8€. Go on a Thursday or Friday evening for lively crowds, many places offer food trucks, and rideshares are easy for the return trip.

How long to visit Riverside?

1 to 3 days

Plan 1 to 2 days: that's enough for the historic downtown, the Mission Inn, the Riverside Art Museum, a drive up Mount Rubidoux at sunrise or sunset, and the Citrus Heritage sites. With 3 days, add Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs or the San Bernardino Mountains as day trips. A car is essential, since public transport is limited, and in summer do outdoor activities early in the morning to avoid the 35-40°C heat.

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