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How to get fromSan Francisco to Carlsbadby plane, subway, bus, train, train (Amtrak), car, bus (Flixbus), or bus (Greyhound)

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There are 11 ways to get from San Francisco to Carlsbad by plane, subway, bus, train, train (Amtrak), car, bus (Flixbus), 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 13m
    $57–297

  2. BART, bus, train

    1. Take the subway from Civic Center / UN Plaza to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    2. Take the bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Stationbus bus
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to Oceansidetrain train
    11h 22m
    $83–138

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Oakland to Los Angelestrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Oceansidetrain train Pacific Surfliner
    16h 23m
    $169–364

  4. Drive 467.4 mi

    1. Drive from San Francisco to Carlsbadcar car 467.4 mi
    7h 49m
    $86–124

  5. 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 12m
    $72–249

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

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane OAK - SAN
    2. Take the train from San Diego - Old Town to Carlsbad Village Stationtrain train
    5h 16m
    $68–285

  7. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport

    1. Take the subway from Powell Street to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD)plane plane OAK - CLD
    4h
    $58–333

  8. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to San Diego International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SJC - SAN
    3. Take the train from San Diego - Old Town to Carlsbad Village Stationtrain train
    6h 10m
    $84–501

  9. Fly Oakland International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County, line 43 bus, train

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane OAK - 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 54m
    $230–776

  10. Bus via Sorrento Valley

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco to San Diegobus bus FlixBus N2003
    2. Take the bus from UTC Transit Center to Carlsbad Bl & Oak Avbus bus 101
    12h 30m
    $78–127

  11. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Oceanside Transportation Centerbus bus Greyhound US0831
    13h 5m
    $75–144

San Francisco to Carlsbad by subway, bus, and train

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration11h 22mAverage Duration
Ticket$83Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Carlsbad.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 442.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 13m

What companies run services between San Francisco, 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 subway from Civic Center / UN Plaza to Oceanside via Lake Merritt, Oakland, and Los Angeles in around 16h 23m.

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