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How to get fromMonterey to Santa Monicaby plane, tram, bus, train (Amtrak), car, shuttle, or bus (Amtrak, Flixbus)

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There are 7 ways to get from Monterey to Santa Monica by plane, tram, bus, train (Amtrak), car, shuttle, or bus (Amtrak, 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. Fly Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, tram

    best
    1. Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MRY - LAX
    2. Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram tram
    3. Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    4h
    $277–709

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Salinas Transit Center / Gate 3 to Monterey / Gilroy Train Stationbus bus 59
    2. Take the bus from Gilroy to Los Angeles - Pacoimabus bus San Jose
    11h 50m
    $46–70

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Salinas to Van Nuystrain train Coast Starlight
    12h 12m
    $94–206

  4. Drive  316.5 mi

    1. Drive from Monterey to Santa Monicacar car 316.5 mi
    5h 33m
    $58–84

  5. Shuttle to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Monterey Shuttle Station to SJC Airport Terminal Ashuttle bus
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane SJC - LAX
    5h 28m
    $164–663

  6. Shuttle to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Burbank Bob Hope Airport

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Monterey Shuttle Station to SJC Airport Terminal Ashuttle bus
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane SJC - BUR
    5h 56m
    $524–811

  7. Bus via Santa Barbara

    1. Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbarabus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus FlixBus 2005
    13h 24m
    $87–138

Monterey to Santa Monica by bus and foot

Calendar20Weekly Services
Duration11h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$46Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Monterey to Santa Monica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 289.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h

What companies run services between Monterey, CA, USA and Santa Monica, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Tyler / Franklin to Wilshire Wb & Lincoln Ns via Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7, Salinas Transit Center / Gate 3, Monterey / Gilroy Train Station, Gilroy, Van Nuys / Laurel Canyon, and Westwood Sb & Weyburn Ns in around 11h 50m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Salinas to Van Nuys once daily. Tickets cost $90–200 and the journey takes 8h 30m.

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