Rome2Rio

How to get fromPalo Alto to Carlsbadby plane, bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, train, bus, or bus (Greyhound)

Find Transport to Carlsbad

See all options

There are 11 ways to get from Palo Alto to Carlsbad by plane, bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, train, bus, or bus (Greyhound)

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 San Francisco International Airport to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD)plane plane SFO - CLD
    4h 29m
    $61–303

  2. Bus via Los Angeles

    1. Take the bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Stationbus bus San Jose
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Downtown to Oceanside Transportation Centerbus bus FlixBus 2017
    12h 17m
    $64–95

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Oceansidetrain train Pacific Surfliner
    15h 2m
    $161–346

  4. Drive 441.5 mi

    1. Drive from Palo Alto to Carlsbadcar car 441.5 mi
    7h 29m
    $81–117

  5. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to San Diego International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SJC - SAN
    2. Take the train from San Diego - Old Town to Carlsbad Village Stationtrain train
    5h 18m
    $80–496

  6. Fly San Francisco International Airport to San Diego International Airport, train

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SFO - SAN
    2. Take the train from San Diego - Old Town to Carlsbad Village Stationtrain train
    5h 27m
    $76–255

  7. Train to Oakland International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Santa Clara Amtrak to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain train
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane OAK - SAN
    3. Take the train from San Diego - Old Town to Carlsbad Village Stationtrain train
    7h 2m
    $80–310

  8. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County, line 43 bus, train

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane SJC - SNA
    2. Take the bus from Harbor-Macarthur to Fullerton Trans Ctr Dock 2bus bus
    3. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Oceansidetrain train
    7h 56m
    $212–827

  9. Train to Oakland International Airport, fly to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport

    1. Take the train from Santa Clara Amtrak to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain train
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD)plane plane OAK - CLD
    5h 46m
    $70–358

  10. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane SJC - BUR
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Oceansidetrain train
    7h 22m
    $520–829

  11. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Oceanside Transportation Centerbus bus Greyhound US0831
    12h 25m
    $72–141

Palo Alto to Carlsbad by bus and foot

Calendar6Weekly Services
Duration12h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$64Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Palo Alto to Carlsbad.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 448.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 29m

What companies run services between Palo Alto, CA, USA and Carlsbad, CA, USA?

United Airlines flies from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from El Camino & Churchill to Carlsbad Bl & Pine Ave via Tully & King, San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich, Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station, Los Angeles Downtown, Oceanside Transportation Center, and Oceanside Transit Center Stall 8 in around 12h 17m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers