Rome2Rio

How to get fromSanta Monica to Los Altosby bus, plane, train (Amtrak), car, train, tram, or subway

Find Transport to Los Altos

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Santa Monica to Los Altos by bus, plane, train (Amtrak), car, train, 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 Norman Y. Mineta San José International 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 Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LAX - SJC
    4h 59m
    $120–617

  2. Bus via Van Nuys / Laurel Canyon

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephantbus bus Nogales
    11h 46m
    $49–73

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    13h 51m
    $138–284

  4. Drive 350.3 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Los Altoscar car 350.3 mi
    5h 59m
    $64–93

  5. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain

    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 San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LAX - SFO
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to Mountain View Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    5h 13m
    $102–217

  6. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain, line 52 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 the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to Mountain View Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    5. Take the bus from Mountain View Transit Center to El Monte & Hawthornebus bus
    6h
    $503–768

  7. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, tram

    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 Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LAX - OAK
    3. Take the subway from Coliseum to Milpitassubway subway
    4. Take the tram from Milpitas Station to Mountain View Stationtram tram
    6h 7m
    $344–1,422

  8. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, BART

    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 tram from Milpitas Station to Mountain View Stationtram tram
    7h 7m
    $317–673

  9. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain, line 52 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 the train from Santa Clara Caltrain Northbound to Mountain View Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    6. Take the bus from Mountain View Transit Center to El Monte & Hawthornebus bus
    6h 55m
    $65–350

  10. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles UCLA to San Josebus bus Ans 6238
    12h 13m
    $95–143

Santa Monica to Los Altos by bus

Calendar21Weekly Buses
Duration11h 46mAverage Duration
Ticket$49Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Los Altos.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 336 mi
  • Duration: 4h 59m

What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Los Altos, Santa Clara County, CA, USA?

Tufesa operates a bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephant twice daily. Tickets cost $70–95 and the journey takes 7h 5m. Tufesa Mexico also services this route once daily. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Van Nuys to San Jose once daily. Tickets cost $130–270 and the journey takes 9h 28m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers