2 Best Ways to get from San Jose, Costa Rica to Managua, Nicaragua

You can get from San Jose to Managua by bus or flight!

The cheapest option to travel from San Jose to Managua is by bus, which costs between USD 26 and 28. The journey takes about 9 hours.

The fastest way to travel to Managua from San Jose is by flight, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As someone who’s repeatedly traveled from San Jose to Managua, I’ve become well-versed in this cross-country journey.

In this guide, I’ll share my playbook for easily navigating this route, ensuring you can enjoy a travel experience as rich and vibrant as the landscapes you’ll pass through.

Check our guide for the best options to travel from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Managua, Nicaragua.

Transportation Options from San Jose to Managua

The following table outlines all transportation options from San Jose to Managua:

Method	Time	Price
Bus from San Jose to Managua	~9 hrs	$26 to 28
Flight from San Jose to Managua	~1.5 hrs	–

How far is San Jose from Managua?

The distance from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Managua, Nicaragua, is 261 miles or 420 kilometers.

Getting to Managua, Nicaragua from San Jose, Costa Rica

1. Bus from San Jose to Managua

Journey Duration: 8 hours 50 minutes

The most cost-effective and practical way to get from San Jose to Managua is by bus! 

This route is operated by Nica Expreso and Transporte del Sol, which both offer excellent service and international routes!

Their buses are well equipped and air-conditioned, with tons of amenities on board so you can have an enjoyable and smooth journey.

Each company has one daily departure; you can travel during the day or on an overnight trip. It takes about 8-9 hours to get from San Jose to Managua, depending on how long the wait is at the border.

You can also choose between a ticket for a Tourist or a Business Bus, which come at different prices.

But no matter what option you choose, the price for a bus ticket from San Jose to Managua is very affordable, costing only USD 26-USD 28!

Book your bus tickets from San Jose to Managua online in advance to secure your trip!

San Jose to Managua Bus Schedule:

The table below displays the bus timetable for trips from San Jose to Managua, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

DEP	ETA	DUR	PX
01:00 am	09:50 am	8h 50m	$28
06:00 am	01:45 pm	7h 45m	$26

2. Flight from San Jose to Managua

Journey Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

The fastest and most expensive way to get to Managua is by airplane. Direct and connecting flight options are available, so consider the direct ones only because it takes much longer to arrive in Managua. 

Planes depart from the Juan Santamaría International Airport airport in San Jose and arrive at Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Managua.

If you book on time, you can get a return ticket for a reasonable price. However, if you book last minute, the cost can go up to USD 1000.

The aircraft is comfortable, the travel time is short, and the Managua airport is not far from the center. In addition, you can use the bus or taxi to leave the airport zone when you land.

There are flights almost daily; just ensure you catch them at a reasonable price!

Best day tours in Managua, Nicaragua

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Here, you can find some of the best tours in Managua, Nicaragua.

Frequently Asked Questions