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How to get fromSanta Monica Pier to Carmelby bus, plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Amtrak), car, shuttle, tram, or subway

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There are 9 ways to get from Santa Monica Pier to Carmel by bus, plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Amtrak), car, shuttle, tram, 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. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport

    best
    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane LAX - MRY
    5h 32m
    $276–709

  2. Drive 305.2 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Monica Pier to Carmelcar car 305.2 mi
    6h 16m
    $56–81

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Los Angeles to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    10h 51m
    $174–319

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Salinasbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Salinas to Carmel Amtrak Bus Stopbus bus
    13h 13m
    $100–150

  5. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LAX - SJC
    2. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    6h 30m
    $158–666

  6. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, line 5 bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Take the subway from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines to North Hollywood Stationsubway subway
    3. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane BUR - MRY
    4. Take the bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearl to Carmel Rancho Blvd / Carmel Rancho Centerbus bus
    6h 30m
    $439–810

  7. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle, line 5 bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Take the subway from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines to North Hollywood Stationsubway subway
    3. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane BUR - SJC
    4. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    5. Take the bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearl to Carmel Rancho Blvd / Carmel Rancho Centerbus bus
    7h 31m
    $531–817

  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, shuttle

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LAX - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Milpitassubway subway
    3. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    8h 15m
    $479–1,480

  9. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle, line 5 bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Pico Stationtram tram
    2. Take the tram from Pico Station to Del Amo Stationtram tram
    3. Take the bus from Del Amo Station Bay 2 to Del Amo & Lakewood SEbus bus
    4. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LGB - SJC
    5. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    6. Take the bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearl to Carmel Rancho Blvd / Carmel Rancho Centerbus bus
    8h 26m
    $103–399

Santa Monica Pier to Carmel by bus

Calendar4Weekly Buses
Duration13h 13mAverage Duration
Ticket$100Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Monica Pier to Carmel.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 288.4 mi
  • Duration: 5h 32m

What companies run services between Santa Monica Pier, CA, USA and Carmel, CA, USA?

Amtrak operates a train from Los Angeles to Salinas once daily. Tickets cost $100–230 and the journey takes 8h 19m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop via Los Angeles Union Station, Santa Barbara Bus Stop, Santa Barbara, and Salinas in around 13h 13m.

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