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How to get fromSanta Monica to Big Surby bus, plane, taxi, train, car, or shuttle

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There are 6 ways to get from Santa Monica to Big Sur by bus, plane, taxi, train, car, or shuttle

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, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, taxi

    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
    3. Take the taxi from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Big Surtaxi taxi
    3h 59m
    $366–823

  2. Drive  281.3 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Big Surcar car 281.3 mi
    5h 40m
    $52–75

  3. Train, taxi

    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the taxi from Salinas to Big Surtaxi taxi
    11h 44m
    $227–373

  4. Bus, taxi via Santa Barbara

    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 taxi from Salinas to Big Surtaxi taxi
    12h 3m
    $217–285

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

    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
    3. Take the taxi from Monterey Shuttle Station to Big Surtaxi taxi
    6h 12m
    $246–773

  6. Bus, taxi

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to Gilroybus bus
    2. Take the bus from Monterey / Gilroy Train Station to Salinas Transit Center / Gate 3bus bus 59
    3. Take the taxi from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler to Big Surtaxi taxi
    13h 11m
    $131–176

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) flights

Calendar21Weekly Planes
Duration1h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$35Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Big Sur.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 309.9 mi
  • Duration: 3h 59m

What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Big Sur, CA, USA?

There is no direct connection from Santa Monica to Big Sur. However, you can take the line 3 bus to LAX/Metro Transit Center, walk to Metro Transit Center Bay 2, take the bus to LAX Terminal 1, walk to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), then take the taxi to Big Sur. Alternatively, you can take the line 1 bus to Westwood Nb & Weyburn Ns, walk to Westwood / Le Conte, take the line 761 bus to Van Nuys / Keswick, walk to Van Nuys, take the train to Salinas, then take the taxi to Big Sur.

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