Santa Cruz to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - iridethebus.org

Trip overview

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Itinerary
TransportationToTimeFareRuns every
Walk/bike/drivePacific Station (Metro Center)
920 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Highway 17 ExpressSan Jose (Diridon) Station1 hour$4.001-2 hours
CaltrainMillbrae Station1 hour$5.7530-60 min
BARTSan Francisco Airport (SFO)15-25 min$1.5015 min
BART Station, Int’l Terminal
Trip parameters
Total fare$11.25
Total travel time2 to 3 hours
Latest departure timePM
Latest return time7:45 PM

SFO is convenient for public transit users. Tip: If you travel frequently, print your own wallet-size Highway 17 + Caltrain schedule, only available here!

1st Step: Highway 17 Express to San Jose

Please review the Santa Cruz to San Jose page. When you are finished with that page, use your Web browser’s “Back” command to return here. Differences to note:

2nd Step: Caltrain to Millbrae

Please review the Caltrain instructions on the Santa Cruz to San Francisco page. Again, use the “Back” command to return here. Differences to note:

3rd Step: BART to the Airport

You will use Bay Area Rapid Transit District trains to get from Millbrae to the Airport. BART’s ultra-modern cars have comfortable seats and ample storage space.

Buying a BART ticket

The BART ticket machine is a large metallic console. It says "BART Tickets".

Look for a metallic BART ticket machine right after you get off Caltrain. Buy a $1.50 ticket for each passenger.

Finding the BART train

The BART fare gate is waist-high. Barriers block passage until a ticket is inserted into the slot on right-hand side.

After buying your ticket, find a BART fare gate. Insert your ticket into the slot on the front of the fare gate (the slot you want is always to your right), retrieve it from the slot on top, and go through. Keep the ticket; you will need it later.

To find the right platform and train, read the timetable posted in the station and check the overhead signs. Due to incompetence and inter-jurisdictional squabbling, direct train service between Millbrae and SFO was eliminated in 2008, with the exception of a few special trips shown in the BART timetable. Depending on the day and the time, you will:

Preparing to get off

If you must change trains in San Bruno, San Bruno is one stop away from Millbrae, and SFO is one stop away from San Bruno. For direct trains, SFO is one stop away from Millbrae. All stops are announced.

Finding your terminal

After you get off the BART train at SFO, go forward to the fare gates and re-process your ticket. The fare gate will not return your ticket this time, unless there is money left on the ticket. Leave the BART Station and enter the International Terminal.

Here is a general list of terminal assignments. There are exceptions, so always check with your airline.

Airport terminals
CountriesAirlinesTerminalDirections
US, CanadaUnited/Ted, AmericanTerminal 3Go forward and bear left until you come to an escalator. Go down. A short walkway leads to Terminal 3.
Other than United/Ted, AmericanTerminal 1Go forward and turn right. Cross the entire check-in area and you will come to an escalator. Go down. A short walkway leads to Terminal 1.
Other than US, CanadaAll airlinesInternational TerminalAttached to the BART Station.

Attractions at the Airport

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Attractions at the Airport
WhoWhatWhere
SubwayHealthiest and cheapest food in the Airport. Good take-out option for flights without meals.In Terminal 3. Find middle of United Air Lines check-in section, and go up to mezzanine.
Art exhibitsEver-changing art displays.Throughout the Airport.
Terminal 2Old terminal, no longer in use. Great place to relax. Provocative Joan Brown painting on display.Between Terminals 1 and 3, opposite the International Terminal. Use walkway from end of 1 or 3.
Aviation Library and MuseumReplica of original 1937 waiting room. Exhibits, photos, models, and books. Great place to relax.In the International Terminal. Go to the escalator that leads to Terminal 1. Bear right instead of going down.

Photos: flowers for the grand opening of the BART Station; the classy Aviation Library and Museum (*); empty Terminal 2.

A bouquet of flowers was placed in front of the tracks to celebrate the opening of the BART Station. / The Aviation Library and Museum is a hall with arches, balconies and a shiny marble floor. Model planes hang from the ceiling. / Terminal 2 consists of abandoned check-in counters and a vast, empty passenger hall.

Returning home

Finding the return train (BART)

The BART Station is attached to the International Terminal. Buy a $1.50 ticket and process it in one of the fare gates.

To find the right platform and train, read the timetable posted in the station and check the overhead signs. As of 2008, direct train service between SFO and Millbrae has been eliminated, except for a few special trips shown in the BART timetable. Depending on the day and the time, you will:

  • take a Pittsburg/Bay Point train to San Bruno and transfer to a Millbrae train; or
  • take a Millbrae train directly to Millbrae.

Preparing to get off at Millbrae

If you must change trains in San Bruno, San Bruno is one stop away from SFO and Millbrae is one stop away from San Bruno. For direct trains, Millbrae is one stop away from SFO. All stops are announced.

Finding the return train (Caltrain)

After getting off the BART train, go up to the mezzanine and re-process your ticket. Now, go down to the far Caltrain platform — the one that’s across the Caltrain tracks. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket from the current zone to Zone 4 ($5.75). All trains that stop at this platform go to San Jose.

Planning your trip

Plan flights and ground transportation together. Tips:

Telephone numbers

For the Highway 17 Express, dial 1 877 9-RIDE-CC (nationwide, toll-free). Ask for schedules between Santa Cruz and San Jose. For other transportation services, dial 511 (San Francisco Bay Area, toll-free) or 1 408 817-1717.

Know before you go

The information on this Web page might be incomplete, out of date, or incorrect. Also, there is always a risk of delays and missed connections.

© 2001-2008, Paul Marcelin. This Web site is a public service, not affiliated with any transportation provider. (*) The museum attendant gave us permission to take a picture of the museum hall. We had informed him that we would be using the picture in an online transit guide.