There are 4 ways to get from Palo Alto to South San Francisco by train, bus, car, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Caltrain
best- Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to South San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain Local Weekday / ...
38 min$6–8Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from E Bayshore Rd & Donohoe St to San Bruno BART-Bay 9 Outer Buswaybus Epx
56 min$2–4Drive 22.9 mi
- Drive from Palo Alto to South San Franciscocar 22.9 mi
27 min$5–6Taxi
- Take the taxi from Palo Alto to South San Franciscotaxi 22.9 mi
27 min$85–110
Palo Alto to South San Francisco by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Palo Alto to South San Francisco is to bus which costs $2 - $4 and takes 56 min.
The fastest way to get from Palo Alto to South San Francisco is to drive which takes 27 min and costs $4 - $6.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from E Bayshore Rd & Donohoe St and arriving at San Bruno BART-Bay 9 Outer Busway. Services depart hourly, and operate Monday to Friday. The journey takes approximately 56 min.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound and arriving at South San Francisco Caltrain Northbound. Services depart every 30 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 38 min.
The distance between Palo Alto and South San Francisco is 23 miles. The road distance is 23.1 miles.
The best way to get from Palo Alto to South San Francisco without a car is to Caltrain which takes 38 min and costs $6 - $8.
The Caltrain from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to South San Francisco Caltrain Northbound takes 38 min including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.
Palo Alto to South San Francisco bus services, operated by SamTrans, depart from E Bayshore Rd & Donohoe St station.
Palo Alto to South San Francisco train services, operated by Caltrain, depart from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound station.
The best way to get from Palo Alto to South San Francisco is to Caltrain which takes 38 min and costs $6 - $8. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $2 - $4 and takes 56 min.
What companies run services between Palo Alto, CA, USA and South San Francisco, CA, USA?
Caltrain operates a train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to South San Francisco Caltrain Northbound every 30 minutes. Tickets cost $6–8 and the journey takes 38 min. Alternatively, SamTrans operates a bus from E Bayshore Rd & Donohoe St to San Bruno BART-Bay 9 Outer Busway hourly. Tickets cost $2–4 and the journey takes 56 min.
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to South San Francisco Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $6–8
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $6–8
- Website
- SamTrans Homepage
Bus from E Bayshore Rd & Donohoe St to San Bruno BART-Bay 9 Outer Busway
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Website
- SamTrans Homepage
- Website
- SamTrans Schedules
- Ave. Duration
- 27 min
- Estimated price
- $85–110
AJ Taxi Services
- Phone
- +1 408-759-9654
- Website
- ajtaxiservices.com
Taxi San Jose
- Phone
- +1 408-459-8010
- Website
- taxisanjose.com
Yellow Checker Cab
- Phone
- +1 408-777-7777
- Website
- yellowcheckercab.com
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to get from Luton Airport into central London, Travelling to and around Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and 5 incredible day trips from Florence by train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
Palo Alto to South San Francisco bus services, operated by SamTrans, arrive at San Bruno BART-Bay 9 Outer Busway station.
Palo Alto to South San Francisco train services, operated by Caltrain, arrive at South San Francisco Caltrain Northbound station.
Yes, the driving distance between Palo Alto to South San Francisco is 23 miles. It takes approximately 27 min to drive from Palo Alto to South San Francisco.
There are 745+ hotels available in South San Francisco.




