Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan José to Santa Cruzby bus, plane, train, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus, Amtrak), car, or subway

Find Transport to Santa Cruz

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from San José to Santa Cruz by bus, plane, train, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus, Amtrak), car, or subway

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus to Juan Santamaría International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SJO - SFO
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    12h 38m
    $446–937

  2. Drive to Quepos La Managua Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    cheapest
    1. Drive from San José to Quepos-Airport-XQPcar car
    2. Fly from Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane XQP - SFO
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    16h 11m
    $198–704

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Terminal NicaBus to Managuabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Managua to Los Angelesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5d
    $428–553

  4. Drive 3,664.5 mi

    1. Drive from San José to Santa Cruzcar car 3,664.5 mi
    2d 23h
    $791–1,143

  5. Bus to Juan Santamaría International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane SJO - SJC
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    13h 32m
    $247–925

  6. Bus to Juan Santamaría International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SJO - OAK
    3. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    14h 24m
    $401–833

  7. Bus to Liberia International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    1. Take the bus from Central Autobusera Inteligente to Liberiabus bus
    2. Fly from Liberia International Airport (LIR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LIR - SFO
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    13h 54m
    $319–1,015

  8. Bus to Juan Santamaría International Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport

    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane SJO - MRY
    18h 20m
    $200–770

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flights

Calendar33Weekly Planes
Duration9h 4mAverage Duration
Ticket$162Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San José to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,163 mi
  • Duration: 12h 38m

What companies run services between San José, Costa Rica and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Terminal NicaBus to Soquel Ave & Front via Managua, Los Angeles, Olympic / Union, Vignes / Cesar E Chavez, Los Angeles Union Station, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 5d.

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