| Transportation | To | Time | Fare | Runs every |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk/bike/drive | Pacific Station (Metro Center) | |||
| 920 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz | ||||
| Highway 17 Express | San Jose (Diridon) Station | 1 hour | $4.00 | 1-2 hours |
| Caltrain | Santa Clara Caltrain Station | 5 min | $2.25 | 30-60 min |
| Airport Flyer (VTA 10) | San Jose Airport (SJC) | 15 min | Free | 15-30 min |
| Opposite Terminal A or C |
| Total fare | $6.25 |
|---|---|
| Total travel time | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Latest departure time | 9 PM |
| Latest return time | 9 PM |
If you travel frequently, print your own wallet-size Highway 17 + Caltrain schedule, only available here!
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:
Please review the Caltrain instructions on the Santa Cruz to San Francisco page. Again, use the “Back”
command to return here. Differences to note:
Experts may want to try the VTA 522 bus or the VTA 22 bus instead of Caltrain.
You will use the Airport Flyer (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Route 10) to get from Santa Clara Caltrain Station to the Airport. The buses, which are used only for airport service, have comfortable seats and extra space for luggage.
The bus stop is just north of the station building (north is the direction your train was going in), on the same side of the station roadway. Look for an elaborate shelter.
Get on the next Route 10 Airport Flyer bus. Various buses share the bus stop, so check the destination sign or listen for an announcement before getting on. If fares are being collected, you are on the wrong bus.
As of January 14, 2008, the Airport Flyer follows a faster, more direct route. After about 10 minutes, you will come to Terminal A. Get off here for Southwest, American, or American Eagle. Terminal C is next. Get off here for all other airlines. There is no Terminal B.
On the way to the airport, use the bagel shop and the cafe in the plaza next to Santa Clara Caltrain Station. Food at the Airport is very limited.
On Tuesday evenings and during the day on Saturday, visit the Museum of Railroad History. It’s inside the station building at Santa Clara. Pictures, model trains, and paraphernalia are on display. This free, kid-friendly attraction is a great way to kick-off your vacation!
Follow the ground transportation signs. The Airport Flyer stops at islands opposite both terminals.
From here, there are two different Airport Flyer buses. Always ask the driver whether this bus is going to the Caltrain Station. If it’s going to the Metro Light Rail Station, do not get on.
Santa Clara Caltrain Station is the last stop.
After getting off the Airport Flyer, go forward to the train platform. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket from the current zone to Zone 4 ($2.25). Trains to San Jose use the closest track. Avoid trains marked ACE.
Specific schedules, accurate as of January 14, 2008, are mentioned in this section.
The last Highway 17 Express bus to Santa Cruz leaves San Jose (Diridon) Station around 10:30 PM.
If you are still at the Airport after about 9 PM, find a taxi. You are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street.
If you are still at Santa Clara Caltrain Station after about 9:50 PM (9:30 PM on weekends), call a taxi. You are at the train station opposite the entrance to Santa Clara University; the address is 1001 Railroad Avenue. Again, you are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street.
You can also catch a bus at 9:58 PM (Saturday at 9:38 PM, Sunday at 9:39 PM), from Santa Clara Caltrain Station to San Jose (Diridon) Station. Instructions:
Plan flights and ground transportation together. Tips:
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.
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.