There are 6 ways to get from San Diego to Palo Alto by plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, train, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
best- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane SAN - SJC
2h 21m$81–511Fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain
cheapest- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SAN - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain
2h 29m$74–244Bus (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to San Jose Diridon Stationbus Greyhound US0831
11h 38m$75–139Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain Pacific Surfliner
- Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain Coast Starlight
14h 32m$175–370Drive 475.7 mi
- Drive from San Diego to Palo Altocar 475.7 mi
8h 4m$87–126Bus via San Ysidro
- Take the bus from San Ysidro to San Jose - King Rdbus San Ysidro
14h$94–140
San Diego to Palo Alto by tram, bus, and train (Greyhound)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Palo Alto is to bus which costs $75 - $140 and takes 11h 38m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Palo Alto is to fly which takes 2h 21m and costs $80 - $550.
No, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Palo Alto station. However, there are services departing from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop and arriving at San Jose Diridon Station via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 38m.
No, there is no direct train from San Diego to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at California Avenue Caltrain Northbound via Los Angeles and San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 14h 32m.
The distance between San Diego and Palo Alto is 437 miles. The road distance is 478.4 miles.
The best way to get from San Diego to Palo Alto without a car is to bus which takes 11h 38m and costs $75 - $140.
It takes approximately 2h 21m to get from San Diego to Palo Alto, including transfers.
San Diego to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop station.
San Diego to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Palo Alto is to fly which takes 2h 21m and costs $80 - $550. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $75 - $140 and takes 11h 38m, you could also train, which costs $170 - $370 and takes 14h 32m.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to San Jose Diridon Station twice daily. Tickets cost $70–140 and the journey takes 9h 50m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–320
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $65–370
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–220
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–500
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $65–250
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–220
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 26m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $35–220
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–190
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 56m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $35–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Diego to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 56m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $40–85
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–280
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 31 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $5–7
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to San Jose Diridon Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 50m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–140
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1 833 766 3553
- Website
- Tufesa
Bus from San Ysidro to San Jose - King Rd
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $90–120
- Schedules at
- Tufesa
- Adult One way
- $90–120
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
San Diego to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at San Jose Diridon Station.
San Diego to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Palo Alto is 478 miles. It takes approximately 8h 4m to drive from San Diego to Palo Alto.
There are 464+ hotels available in Palo Alto.
















