There are 4 ways to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto by train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, plane, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Sacramento to Santa Clara Amtraktrain Capitol Corridor
3h 29m$47–93Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Sacramento Bus Station to San Francisco Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0870
- Take the bus from Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37 to Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctrbus Epx
5h 11m$17–31Drive 111.5 mi
- Drive from Sacramento to Palo Altocar 111.5 mi
2h 10m$21–30Fly, Caltrain
- Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SMF - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain
3h 6m$465–771
Sacramento to Palo Alto by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto is to bus which costs $16 - $35 and takes 5h 11m.
The fastest way to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto is to drive which takes 2h 10m and costs $20 - $30.
No, there is no direct bus from Sacramento station to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Sacramento Bus Station and arriving at Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctr via Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 11m.
No, there is no direct train from Sacramento to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Sacramento and arriving at California Avenue Caltrain Northbound via Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 29m.
The distance between Sacramento and Palo Alto is 145 miles. The road distance is 112.1 miles.
The best way to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto without a car is to train which takes 3h 29m and costs $45 - $95.
It takes approximately 3h 29m to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto, including transfers.
Sacramento to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Sacramento Bus Station.
Sacramento to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Sacramento station.
The best way to get from Sacramento to Palo Alto is to train which takes 3h 29m and costs $45 - $95. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $16 - $35 and takes 5h 11m.
What companies run services between Sacramento, CA, USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Sacramento to Santa Clara Amtrak every 4 hours. Tickets cost $40–90 and the journey takes 2h 54m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Sacramento Bus Station to Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctr via San Francisco Bus Station and Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37 in around 5h 11m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Sacramento International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $24–190
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Sacramento to Santa Clara Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 54m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $40–90
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- caltrain.com
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 31 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- https://www.caltrain.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_explorer_tab
- One-way Adult
- $5–7
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Sacramento Bus Station to San Francisco Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $13–26
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Website
- samtrans.com
Bus from Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37 to Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctr
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $2–5
- Website
- http://www.samtrans.com
- Website
- http://www.samtrans.com
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.
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More Questions & Answers
Sacramento to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at San Francisco Bus Station.
Sacramento to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Clara Amtrak station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sacramento to Palo Alto is 112 miles. It takes approximately 2h 10m to drive from Sacramento to Palo Alto.
There are 501+ hotels available in Palo Alto.











