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

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There are 7 ways to get from Santa Monica to Big Sur by bus, plane, taxi, train, car, tram, 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 to Los Angeles International Airport, 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 41m
    $52–75

  3. Bus, taxi

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles UCLA to Salinasbus bus Ans 6238
    2. Take the taxi from Salinas to Big Surtaxi taxi
    10h 5m
    $216–281

  4. 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 42m
    $252–393

  5. Tram to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, taxi

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane BUR - MRY
    3. Take the taxi from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Big Surtaxi taxi
    4h 57m
    $559–924

  6. Fly Los Angeles International Airport 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

  7. Fly Burbank Bob Hope Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle, taxi

    1. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane BUR - 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
    7h 13m
    $629–924

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

Calendar14Weekly Planes
Duration1h 18mAverage Duration
Ticket$34Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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 18 bus to Gayley Nb & Strathmore Ns, walk to Los Angeles UCLA, take the bus to Salinas, then take the taxi to Big Sur.

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