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How to get fromCarlsbad to San Rafaelby train, plane, bus, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or bus (Flixbus)

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There are 10 ways to get from Carlsbad to San Rafael by train, plane, bus, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or bus (Flixbus)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train to San Diego International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Take the train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Old Towntrain train
    2. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SAN - SFO
    3. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    5h 21m
    $90–238

  2. Fly Mcclellan–Palomar Airport to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane CLD - SFO
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    5h 38m
    $76–294

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Oceanside Transportation Center to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0831
    13h 6m
    $94–144

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Oceanside to Los Angelestrain train Pacific Surfliner
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Oaklandtrain train Coast Starlight
    16h 1m
    $305–486

  5. Drive  477.9 mi

    1. Drive from Carlsbad to San Rafaelcar car 477.9 mi
    7h 59m
    $88–126

  6. Train to San Diego International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Old Towntrain train
    2. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SAN - OAK
    3. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    5h 30m
    $82–362

  7. Train to San Diego International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, BART

    1. Take the train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Old Towntrain train
    2. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane SAN - SJC
    3. Take the subway from Milpitas to El Cerrito Del Nortesubway subway
    6h 49m
    $88–528

  8. Train, line 43 bus to John Wayne Airport Orange County, fly to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Fullerton Trans Ctr Dock 1 to Harbor And Macarthurbus bus
    3. Fly from John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SNA - SFO
    4. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    8h 1m
    $146–380

  9. Train, line 43 bus to John Wayne Airport Orange County, fly to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Oceanside to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Fullerton Trans Ctr Dock 1 to Harbor And Macarthurbus bus
    3. Fly from John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SNA - OAK
    4. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    8h 11m
    $249–823

  10. Bus via Sorrento Valley (Flixbus)

    1. Take the bus from San Diego to El Cerrito del Norte BARTbus bus FlixBus N2003
    14h 52m
    $88–143

Carlsbad to San Rafael by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration13h 6mAverage Duration
Ticket$94Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Carlsbad to San Rafael.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 516.3 mi
  • Duration: 5h 21m

What companies run services between Carlsbad, CA, USA and San Rafael, CA, USA?

Greyhound USA operates a bus from Oceanside Transportation Center to San Francisco Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $85–130 and the journey takes 10h 40m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Oceanside to Andersen Dr & Du Bois St via Los Angeles, Oakland, Lake Merritt, El Cerrito Del Norte, and El Cerrito del Norte BART Station-Bay C2 in around 16h 1m.

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