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How to get fromSanta Monica to Salinasby train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Amtrak), car, bus, plane, shuttle, train, subway, or tram

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There are 11 ways to get from Santa Monica to Salinas by train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Amtrak), car, bus, plane, shuttle, train, subway, or tram

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train (Amtrak)

    best
    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    10h 38m
    $182–293

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to Gilroybus bus Nogales
    2. Take the bus from Monterey / Gilroy Train Station to Salinas Intermodal Transit Centerbus bus 59
    11h 15m
    $39–62

  3. Bus via Santa Barbara

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    2. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Salinasbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    10h 58m

  4. Drive  301.7 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Salinascar car 301.7 mi
    5h 14m
    $56–80

  5. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, line 20 bus

    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 bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler to Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7bus bus
    6h 26m
    $286–710

  6. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle

    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
    3. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Prunedale Park & Rideshuttle bus
    6h 14m
    $153–656

  7. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LAX - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from San Jose to Salinasbus bus
    6h 39m

  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LAX - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from San Jose to Salinasbus bus
    6h 50m

  9. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle, line 29 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 Prunedale Park & Rideshuttle bus
    5. Take the bus from Meridian Spur / Prunedale Park & Ride to N Main St/ W Rossi Stbus bus
    7h 25m
    $516–807

  10. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, 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 Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    5. Take the bus from Berryessa BART to San Jose Diridonbus bus
    6. Take the bus from San Jose to Salinasbus bus
    7h 47m

  11. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle, line 29 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 Prunedale Park & Rideshuttle bus
    6. Take the bus from Meridian Spur / Prunedale Park & Ride to N Main St/ W Rossi Stbus bus
    8h 9m
    $113–489

Santa Monica to Salinas by bus and train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration10h 38mAverage Duration
Ticket$182Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Salinas.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 356.9 mi
  • Duration: 10h 38m

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

Amtrak operates a train from Van Nuys to Salinas once daily. Tickets cost $180–290 and the journey takes 7h 52m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to Salinas via Los Angeles Union Station, Santa Barbara Bus Stop, and Santa Barbara in around 10h 58m.

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