Getting from San Jose to San Francisco Airport for your flight out can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Fortunately, there are several transportation options available that can make the journey a lot easier.
One of the quickest ways to get from San Jose to San Francisco Airport is by taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. The route runs 33 miles up Highway 101 and takes 35-50 minutes, depending upon the time of day and how horrendous the traffic is. However, this option can be a bit pricey, typically from $45 to $58.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, taking public transportation is a great choice. You can take the Caltrain from Santa Clara Caltrain to Millbrae Caltrain, which costs only a couple of dollars more than a bus, stops in more places, and you can take more items on board (including bicycles).
From there, you can take the BART or a shuttle to the airport. There are also buses and shuttles available that can take you directly from San Jose to San Francisco Airport.
I know it’s a lot. Your head is probably spinning about now, but we’ll break it all down for you below, so you know what the options are and you can just get going.
Transportation Options
If you need to get from San Jose to San Francisco airport, you have a few transportation options available to you. You can either drive yourself, take public transportation or use a private transfer service.
By Car
Driving yourself is the most convenient option if you have a lot of luggage or want to travel on your own schedule. The distance between San Jose and San Francisco airport is about 33 miles, and the fastest way to get there is via Highway 101.
You can use Google Maps or other navigation apps to get driving directions. Keep in mind that traffic can be heavy during rush hour, so plan accordingly. Of course, this method only works if you have access to a car, or someone to take you.
Renting a Car
If you’re just visiting the area and need to get from the San Jose airport to the San Francisco airport, you can rent a car as an option, but you’ll need to do a one-way rental, dropping the car off at SFO, which will incur a one-way rental fee.
If you choose to go with this plan anyways, you can rent one from the San Jose Airport. The rental car center is located at 1659 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110. There are several rental car companies to choose from, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. You can reserve a car online or in person at the rental car center. I always rent a car in advance through DiscoverCars.com because they collect all the best deals from the big companies.
To get to San Francisco Airport from the rental car center, you can take US-101 N. The drive takes about 37 minutes without traffic, but it can take longer during peak hours. Make sure to factor in extra time if you’re traveling during rush hour.
Rideshare Services
Another option is to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Both services are available in San Jose and San Francisco. To request a ride, simply download the app, enter your pickup location, and select San Francisco Airport as your destination.
When you request a ride, the app will give you an estimate of the cost and the time it will take for your driver to arrive. The cost of a ride can vary depending on the time of day and the demand for rides. However, you can expect to pay around $45-$60 for a one-way trip.
Once your driver arrives, they will take you directly to San Francisco Airport. The drive takes about 35-50 minutes, depending on traffic. If you’re traveling during peak hours, it may take longer.
Overall, driving to San Francisco Airport from San Jose is a convenient option if you have a car or want to use a rideshare service. Just make sure to factor in extra time if you’re traveling during rush hour.
Shuttle
If you don’t want to deal with public transportation, or renting a car, you can also take a shuttle to the airport. Monterey Airbus offers a shuttle service 12 times a day for $20 that will take you from San Jose to San Francisco.
You can book your shuttle online. There’s an option to go from airport to airport, or you can choose one of their scheduled stops, a hotel, or even your home or office. Shuttles are a convenient option if you have a lot of luggage or if you want to avoid the hassle of public transportation.
By Public Transportation
If you want to travel from San Jose to San Francisco Airport, public transportation is a convenient and affordable option. Here are some of the ways you can get to the airport using public transportation.
Caltrain
Caltrain is a popular option for travelers who want to catch a direct train from San Jose to San Francisco Airport. You can catch the train at the Santa Clara Caltrain station and transfer to the Millbrae station, where you can take the AirTrain to the airport. The Caltrain is a reliable and comfortable option, and it is one of the fastest ways to get to the airport. You can purchase your tickets online or at the station.
BART System
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is another popular option for travelers. You can catch the BART at the Berryessa/North San Jose station and transfer to the Civic Center/UN Plaza station, where you can take the AirTrain to the airport. BART is a fast and efficient way to get to the airport, and it runs every day of the week. You can purchase your tickets online or at the station.
Bus
Taking a bus from San Jose to San Francisco Airport is also an option. You can catch the Line 22 bus at the Santa Clara Transit Center and transfer to the SamTrans bus at the Palo Alto Transit Center. The SamTrans bus will take you directly to the airport. This is one of the cheapest ways to get to the airport, and it is a good option if you have a lot of time to spare.
SamTrans
SamTrans is a public bus service that operates in the Bay Area. You can catch the SamTrans bus at several locations in San Jose, including the Diridon Caltrain Station and the Santa Clara Transit Center. The bus will take you directly to the airport, and it is a good option if you want to avoid transfers. You can purchase your tickets online or at the station.
VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is another public transportation option. You can catch the VTA bus at several locations in San Jose, including El Camino Real and Highway 101. The bus will take you to the Millbrae station, where you can transfer to the AirTrain to get to the airport. VTA is a good option if you live near one of the bus stops and want to avoid driving.
Overall, there are several options for getting from San Jose to San Francisco Airport using public transportation. Whether you prefer the speed of the train or the convenience of a shuttle, there is an option that will work for you. Just make sure to plan ahead and book your transportation in advance to avoid any delays or layovers.
How to Get From SFO to San Jose?
If you need to get from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Jose, there are several options available to you. All of these are just reverse routes of the ones we mentioned above, but it’s sometimes easier to see it written out in the direction you’re headed.
Here are some of the most common ways to make the trip:
- BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a quick and convenient way to get from SFO to San Jose. Take the Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO/Millbrae line from the airport to the Millbrae Transit Center, then transfer to the Richmond – Daly City/Millbrae line to get to San Jose. The total trip takes about 2 hours and costs around $10.
- Caltrain: The Caltrain commuter rail system connects San Francisco and San Jose, with stops at several towns and cities in between. Take the free AirTrain from SFO to the Millbrae Transit Center, then catch the Caltrain to San Jose. The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours and costs around $10.
- Shuttle service: There are several shuttle services that operate between SFO and San Jose, including SuperShuttle and Airport Express. These services offer door-to-door transportation and can be more convenient than public transit, but they can also be more expensive. Expect to pay around $40-50 for a one-way trip.
- Taxi or rideshare: Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available at SFO and can take you directly to San Jose. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour and can cost anywhere from $80-120, depending on traffic and other factors.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Traffic and other delays can be common, especially during peak travel times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest shuttle from San Jose to SFO?
One of the cheapest shuttle services from San Jose to SFO is the Super Shuttle. The cost is around $25 per person, depending on the time of day and the demand. You can book online or by phone.
How long does it take to get from San Jose to SFO?
It takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to get from San Jose to SFO, depending on the mode of transportation and the traffic conditions.
Can I take BART from San Jose to SFO?
Yes, you can take BART from San Jose to SFO. However, you need to transfer at Millbrae Station to the SFO-bound train. The total travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the fare is around $10.
What’s the fastest way to get from San Jose to SFO?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to SFO is by taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. It takes around 35-50 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions. The cost is around $45-58, according to the Uber estimator.
Is there a shuttle service between SJC and SFO?
Yes, there are several shuttle services between SJC and SFO, such as the Super Shuttle, the Airport Express, and the Monterey Airbus. The cost is around $25-30 per person, depending on the time of day and the demand.
How much does it cost to Uber from San Jose to SFO?
It costs around $45-58 to Uber from San Jose to SFO, according to the Uber estimator. However, the actual cost may vary depending on the time of day, the traffic conditions, and the demand.
Like this article? Save it on Pinterest so you can find it again.
FOLLOW US on Pinterest and Facebook for more California travel inspiration and tips!
Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.