Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Palo Alto

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Santa Monica to Palo Alto by bus, plane, train (Amtrak), car, tram, subway, or train

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 13m
    $108–612

  2. Bus, line 22 bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station to San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwichbus bus Westminster
    2. Take the bus from King & Tully to El Camino & Churchillbus bus 22
    10h 32m
    $49–67

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    12h 54m
    $137–280

  4. Drive 353.6 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Palo Altocar car 353.6 mi
    6h 2m
    $65–94

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

    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
    4h 16m
    $89–201

  6. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    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 California Avenue Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    5h 13m
    $501–763

  7. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, Caltrain

    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 California Avenue Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    6h 8m
    $63–345

  8. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, train

    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 train from Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtrak to Santa Clara Amtraktrain train
    5h 56m
    $349–1,437

  9. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to San Jose - King Rd Pink Elephantbus bus Nogales
    12h 2m
    $49–73

Santa Monica to Palo Alto by bus and foot

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration10h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$49Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Palo Alto.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 337.5 mi
  • Duration: 4h 13m

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

You can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to El Camino & Churchill via Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Station, San Jose, CA - Huong Lan Sandwich, and King & Tully in around 10h 32m. 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