Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Jose to Arenal Volcanoby plane, shuttle, bus, car, train, or subway

Find Transport to Arenal Volcano

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from San Jose to Arenal Volcano by plane, shuttle, bus, car, train, 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. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SJC - SJO
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Alajuela to La Fortunashuttle bus
    12h 28m
    $466–956

  2. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to La Fortuna Arenal Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON)plane plane SFO - FON
    20h 18m
    $201–635

  3. Bus, drive

    1. Take the bus from San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich to Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua Mercado Mayoreo to San Carlosbus bus
    4. Drive from San Carlos to Arenal Volcanocar car
    4d 20h
    $404–503

  4. Drive  5,773.4 km

    1. Drive from San Jose to Arenal Volcanocar car 5,773.4 km
    2d 22h
    $925–1,336

  5. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SFO - SJO
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Alajuela to La Fortunashuttle bus
    11h 51m
    $729–1,273

  6. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Liberia International Airport, bus, shuttle

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SFO - LIR
    3. Take the bus from Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia to Cañasbus bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Cañas to La Fortunashuttle bus
    13h 23m
    $523–1,210

  7. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Liberia International Airport, bus, shuttle

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SJC - LIR
    2. Take the bus from Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia to Cañasbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Cañas to La Fortunashuttle bus
    14h 52m
    $570–1,492

  8. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Managua Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Managua Airport (MGA)plane plane SFO - MGA
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Granada to Peñas Blancasshuttle bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Peñas Blancas to La Fortunashuttle bus
    17h 21m
    $834–1,378

  9. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane OAK - SJO
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Alajuela to La Fortunashuttle bus
    13h 38m
    $462–965

Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar26Weekly Planes
Duration11h 8mAverage Duration
Ticket$170Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from San Jose to Arenal Volcano.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,972.2 km
  • Duration: 12h 28m

What companies run services between San Jose, CA, USA and Arenal Volcano, Provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica?

There is no direct connection from San Jose to Arenal Volcano. However, you can take the line 60 bus to SJC Airport Terminal A, walk to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), walk to El Cacique, take the line 200 bus to Contiguo Al Cruce Al Hospital, walk to Alajuela, take the shuttle to La Fortuna, then take the taxi to Arenal Volcano. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Clara & 6th to Arenal Volcano via Tully & King, San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich, Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, Managua, Plaza Inter, Managua Mercado Mayoreo, and San Carlos in around 4d 20h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Costa Rica

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