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How to get fromSanta Monica 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 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 28m
    $276–709

  2. Drive 320.5 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Carmelcar car 320.5 mi
    5h 40m
    $59–85

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Los Angeles to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    10h 46m
    $184–329

  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 26m
    $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 25m
    $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 26m
    $531–817

  8. 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 21m
    $103–399

  9. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, line 60 bus, 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 Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane BUR - OAK
    4. Take the subway from Coliseum to Milpitassubway subway
    5. Take the bus from Milpitas BART to SJC Airport Terminal Abus bus
    6. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    7. Take the bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 3 Pearl to Carmel Rancho Blvd / Carmel Rancho Centerbus bus
    9h 12m
    $242–731

Santa Monica 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 to Carmel.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 288.2 mi
  • Duration: 5h 28m

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

Amtrak operates a train from Los Angeles to Salinas once daily. Tickets cost $110–240 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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