Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan José to Santiagoby shuttle, bus, car, or plane

Find Transport to Santiago

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from San José to Santiago by shuttle, bus, car, or plane

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

  1. Shuttle, bus

    best
    1. Take a shuttle bus from San José to Dominicalshuttle bus
    2. Take the bus from Dominical to Paso Canoasbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Frontera to Santiagobus bus
    9h 45m
    $63–443

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Santiago de Veraguasbus bus Panamá / ...
    12h
    $40–65

  3. Drive 532.5 km

    1. Drive from San José to Santiagocar car 532.5 km
    9h 16m
    $73–106

  4. Bus, fly to Golfito

    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 Golfito (GLF)plane plane SJO - GLF
    3. Take the bus from Golfito to Paso Canoasbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Frontera to Santiagobus bus
    9h 45m
    $198–269

  5. Bus via Paso Canoas

    1. Take the bus from San José to Paso Canoasbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Frontera to Davidbus bus
    3. Take the bus from David to Santiagobus bus
    12h 47m

  6. Bus, fly to Tocumen International 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 Tocumen International Airport (PTY)plane plane SJO - PTY
    3. Take the bus from Paraíso, Panamá Province to Santiagobus bus
    10h 26m
    $202–423

San José to Santiago by bus

Calendar36Weekly Buses
Duration12hAverage Duration
Ticket$40Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San José to Santiago.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 533.6 km
  • Duration: 9h 45m

What companies run services between San José, Costa Rica and Santiago, Panama?

Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter) operates a bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Santiago de Veraguas 4 times a day. Tickets cost $45–65 and the journey takes 12h. Tica Bus also services this route once daily.

Airlines
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Getting to Rome from the airport, How to get from London to Edinburgh, and How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

More Questions & Answers