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How to get fromPalm Desert to Santa Cruzby plane, train, bus, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), car, or subway

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There are 9 ways to get from Palm Desert to Santa Cruz by plane, train, bus, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), car, or subway

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 to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane PSP - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    4h 18m
    $192–412

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivalsbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    12h 49m
    $80–151

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivalsbus bus
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    16h 8m
    $160–331

  4. Drive 457 mi

    1. Drive from Palm Desert to Santa Cruzcar car 457 mi
    7h 58m
    $84–121

  5. Fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane PSP - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    4h 19m
    $307–838

  6. Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane PSP - SJC
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    3h 31m
    $293–880

  7. Bus, train via San Bernardino

    1. Take the bus from Indio, CA to San Bernardino, CAbus bus
    2. Take the train from San Bernardino - Downtown to L.A. Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    16h 13m
    $197–382

  8. Bus, train via Salinas (Amtrak)

    1. Take the bus from Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop to Fullerton Amtrak Stationbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    16h 40m
    $156–316

  9. Bus via San Jose

    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to 612 Wall St - Los Angelesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Downtown Los Angeles to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephantbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    16h 43m
    $130–178

Palm Desert to Santa Cruz by bus and foot

Calendar6Weekly Services
Duration12h 49mAverage Duration
Ticket$80Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Palm Desert to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 498.8 mi
  • Duration: 4h 18m

What companies run services between Palm Desert, CA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Hwy 111 at San Luis Rey to Soquel Ave & Front via Hwy 111 & Golf Center Pkwy, Indio Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals, Los Angeles Union Station, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 12h 49m.

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