Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Jose to Cartagoby plane, bus, car, train, subway, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

Find Transport to Cartago

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from San Jose to Cartago by plane, bus, car, train, subway, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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

    best
    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SJC - SJO
    11h 52m
    $414–1,104

  2. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    cheapest
    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
    13h 12m
    $221–814

  3. Bus via Tully & King

    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 San Salvadorbus bus
    3. Take the bus from San Salvador to San Josébus bus
    5d 1h
    $402–510

  4. Drive 5,897.1 km

    1. Drive from San Jose to Cartagocar car 5,897.1 km
    3d
    $791–1,143

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

    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
    11h 33m
    $428–772

  6. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Liberia 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 Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SFO - LIR
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Cartagoshuttle bus
    14h 22m
    $995–2,704

  7. Shuttle to Monterey Regional Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal B to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane MRY - SJO
    15h 31m
    $255–812

  8. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Salvadorbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    5d 3h
    $413–583

  9. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus bus
    5d 3h
    $509–720

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

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration9h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$199Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Jose to Cartago.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,887.6 km
  • Duration: 11h 52m

What companies run services between San Jose, CA, USA and Cartago, Costa Rica?

Southwest Airlines, Delta, and three other airlines fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Clara & 1st to Cartago via Tully & King, San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich, Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, San Salvador, San Salvador, San José, and Terminal Lumaca in around 5d 1h.

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers