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How to get fromCarmel to San Rafaelby train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, or shuttle

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There are 5 ways to get from Carmel to San Rafael by train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, or shuttle

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 (Amtrak)

    best
    1. Take the train from Salinas to Oaklandtrain train Coast Starlight
    5h 9m
    $113–171

  2. Drive 136.4 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Carmel to San Rafaelcar car 136.4 mi
    2h 26m
    $25–36

  3. Line 5 bus, line 20 bus, bus, line 101 bus

    1. Take the bus from Rio Rd / The Crossroads Carmel to Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearlbus bus 5
    2. Take the bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler to Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7bus bus 20
    3. Take the bus from Salinas Train Station to Oaklandbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Mission St & 2nd St to San Rafael Transit Center-Platform Bbus bus 101
    6h 31m

  4. Fly, bus

    1. Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane MRY - SFO
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    5h 8m
    $227–588

  5. Shuttle

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Monterey Shuttle Station to SFO Airport Internationalshuttle bus Monterey Airbus
    5h 41m
    $73–95

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flights

Calendar26Weekly Planes
Duration55 minAverage Duration
Ticket$22Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Carmel to San Rafael.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 153.3 mi
  • Duration: 5h 9m

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

Amtrak operates a train from Salinas to Oakland once daily. Tickets cost $35–75 and the journey takes 2h 53m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Rio Rd / The Crossroads Carmel to San Rafael Transit Center-Platform B via Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearl, Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler, Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7, Salinas Train Station, Oakland, West Oakland, Montgomery Street, and Mission St & 2nd St in around 6h 31m.

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