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How to get fromPalo Alto to Santa Monicaby train, plane, tram, bus, train (Amtrak), car, or subway

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There are 12 ways to get from Palo Alto to Santa Monica by train, plane, tram, bus, train (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. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport, tram

    best
    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane SFO - LAX
    3. Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram tram
    4. Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    4h 21m
    $93–204

  2. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Long Beach Airport, line 191 bus, tram

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Long Beach Airport (LGB)plane plane SJC - LGB
    3. Take the bus from Del Amo & Lakewood NW to Del Amo Station Bay 3bus bus
    4. Take the tram from Del Amo Station to Pico Stationtram tram
    5. Take the tram from Pico Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    6h 13m
    $41–185

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Stationbus bus San Jose
    8h 56m
    $55–71

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Van Nuystrain train Coast Starlight
    13h 25m
    $137–279

  5. Drive 353.3 mi

    1. Drive from Palo Alto to Santa Monicacar car 353.3 mi
    6h
    $65–94

  6. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport, tram

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane SJC - LAX
    3. Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram tram
    4. Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    4h 22m
    $112–615

  7. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, subway, tram

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane SJC - BUR
    3. Take the subway from North Hollywood Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Linessubway subway
    4. Take the tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    4h 50m
    $502–763

  8. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, subway, tram

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane SFO - BUR
    3. Take the subway from North Hollywood Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Linessubway subway
    4. Take the tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    4h 59m
    $198–822

  9. Caltrain, train to Oakland International Airport, fly to Los Angeles International Airport, tram

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Take the train from Santa Clara Amtrak to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain train
    3. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane OAK - LAX
    4. Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram tram
    5. Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    6h
    $353–1,440

  10. Caltrain, train to Oakland International Airport, fly to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, subway, tram

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Take the train from Santa Clara Amtrak to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain train
    3. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane OAK - BUR
    4. Take the subway from North Hollywood Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Linessubway subway
    5. Take the tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram tram
    6h 33m
    $203–688

  11. Line 22 bus, bus

    1. Take the bus from El Camino & Churchill to Tully & Kingbus bus 22
    2. Take the bus from San Jose - Huong Lan Sandwich to Chinatown Metro Station - Los Angeles, CAbus bus San Jose
    10h 15m
    $50–61

  12. Bus via Van Nuys / Laurel Canyon

    1. Take the bus from San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephant to Los Angeles - Pacoimabus bus San Jose
    11h 20m
    $50–73

Palo Alto to Santa Monica by train, bus, and tram

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration8h 56mAverage Duration
Ticket$55Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Palo Alto to Santa Monica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 376.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 21m

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

Hoang Express operates a bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station once daily. Tickets cost $45–60 and the journey takes 5h 30m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from San Jose to Van Nuys once daily. Tickets cost $130–270 and the journey takes 10h 10m.

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