Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Salinas

See all options

There are 11 ways to get from Santa Monica to Salinas by bus, plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Amtrak), car, shuttle, 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. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, line 20 bus

    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 bus from Monterey Transit Plaza / Gate 4 Tyler to Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7bus bus
    5h 53m
    $276–710

  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 8m
    $44–67

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    10h 36m
    $112–223

  4. 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
    $98–149

  5. Drive 301.1 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Salinascar car 301.1 mi
    5h 15m
    $55–80

  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 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 44m
    $361–1,449

  8. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport, line 20 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 4 Tyler to Salinas Transit Center / Gate 7bus bus
    6h 51m
    $469–811

  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 14m
    $536–807

  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 45m
    $334–700

  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
    $98–389

Santa Monica to Salinas by bus and train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration10h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$112Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Salinas.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 301.9 mi
  • Duration: 5h 53m

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 $110–220 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.

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