Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Francisco to National Cityby plane, tram, subway, bus, train, train (Amtrak), car, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound)

Find Transport to National City

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from San Francisco to National City by plane, tram, subway, bus, train, train (Amtrak), car, shuttle, 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 from San Francisco International Airport, tram

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane SFO - SAN
    2. Take the tram from Civic Center Station to 8th Street Stationtram tram
    3h 58m

  2. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly

    cheapest
    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
    4h 57m
    $84–519

  3. 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 San Diego Old Town Transportation Centertrain train
    12h 50m
    $92–163

  4. Caltrain, train

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diego Old Town Transportation Centertrain train
    17h 22m
    $175–377

  5. Drive 504.7 mi

    1. Drive from San Francisco to National Citycar car 504.7 mi
    8h 28m
    $93–133

  6. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly, tram

    1. Take the subway from Powell Street to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane OAK - SAN
    3. Take the tram from Civic Center Station to 8th Street Stationtram tram
    4h 2m

  7. Shuttle to Sonoma County Airport, fly

    1. Take a shuttle bus from San Francisco Pier 27 to Santa Rosa Airportshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Sonoma County Airport (STS) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane STS - SAN
    5h 26m
    $167–305

  8. BART, bus

    1. Take the subway from Civic Center / UN Plaza to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway Green-N
    2. Take the bus from San Jose - King Rd to San Ysidrobus bus San Jose
    13h 3m
    $102–148

  9. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to San Ysidro Bus Terminalbus bus Greyhound US0831
    15h 22m
    $87–165

San Francisco to National City by subway, bus, train, and tram

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration12h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$92Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to National City.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 470.8 mi
  • Duration: 3h 58m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and National City, CA, USA?

You can take a train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to 8th Street Station via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego Old Town Transportation Center, and Old Town Station in around 17h 22m. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from San Francisco Bus Station to San Ysidro Bus Terminal twice daily. Tickets cost $80–160 and the journey takes 13h 50m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers