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

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There are 5 ways to get from San Rafael to Santa Cruz by bus, train, car, plane, taxi, subway, or bus (Flixbus, Amtrak)

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

  1. Line 101 bus, Caltrain, bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 4th Stbus bus 101
    2. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    3h 36m
    $19–30

  2. Drive  89.8 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from San Rafael to Santa Cruzcar car 89.8 mi
    1h 47m
    $17–24

  3. Bus, fly, taxi

    1. Take the bus from Larkspur - pickup to San Francisco Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane SFO - MRY
    3. Take the taxi from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Santa Cruztaxi taxi
    3h 45m
    $502–752

  4. Line 101 bus, BART, bus

    1. Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 2nd Stbus bus 101
    2. Take the subway from Montgomery Street to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    3h 49m
    $18–33

  5. Line 101 bus, bus

    1. Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 4th Stbus bus 101
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    4h 5m
    $17–29

San Rafael to Santa Cruz by bus and train

Calendar220Weekly Services
Duration3h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$19Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from San Rafael to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 97 mi
  • Duration: 3h 36m

What companies run services between San Rafael, CA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Soquel Ave & Front via Mission St & 4th St, 4th St & Market St, 5th St & Brannan St, San Francisco, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 4h 5m.

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