There are 9 ways to get from Washington to Santa Cruz by plane, bus, train, car, 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.
Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus
best- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane DCA - SJC
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
9h 24m$359–1,334Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus
cheapest- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane DCA - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
8h 19m$151–608Bus, train
- Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Salt Lake City Intermodal Trans Ctrbus
- Take the train from Salt Lake City to Emeryvilletrain
- Take the bus from Emeryville to San Josebus
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
3d 1h$616–1,244Train, bus
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Emeryvilletrain
- Take the train from Emeryville to San Josetrain
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
3d 3h$1,021–2,154Drive 2,856.5 mi
- Drive from Washington to Santa Cruzcar 2,856.5 mi
45h 34m$522–753Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
- Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane BWI - SJC
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
9h 11m$248–1,519Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus
- Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane IAD - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
9h 44m$467–739Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
- Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane BWI - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
9h 48m$177–1,131Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus
- Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane IAD - SJC
- Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus
11h 9m$218–827
Washington to Santa Cruz by bus and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Washington to Santa Cruz is to fly and Caltrain and bus which costs $150 - $650 and takes 8h 19m.
The fastest way to get from Washington to Santa Cruz is to fly and Caltrain and bus which takes 8h 19m and costs $150 - $650.
The distance between Washington and Santa Cruz is 2469 miles. The road distance is 2873.1 miles.
The best way to get from Washington to Santa Cruz without a car is to bus and train which takes 3 days 1h and costs $600 - $1,300.
It takes approximately 9h 24m to get from Washington to Santa Cruz, including transfers.
Santa Cruz is 3h behind Washington. It is currently 3:17 PM in Washington and 12:17 PM in Santa Cruz.
Yes, the driving distance between Washington to Santa Cruz is 2873 miles. It takes approximately 45h 34m to drive from Washington to Santa Cruz.
There are 164+ hotels available in Santa Cruz.
What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?
There is no direct connection from Washington to Santa Cruz. However, you can fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), walk to SJC Airport Terminal A, take the line 60 bus to Santa Clara Transit Center, walk to Santa Clara Caltrain Southbound, take the train to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound, walk to Diridon Station, then take the bus to Soquel Ave & Front. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington Union Station to Soquel Ave & Front via Chicago Bus Station, Denver Union Station, Salt Lake City Intermodal Trans Ctr, Salt Lake City, Emeryville, Emeryville, San Jose, and Diridon Station in around 3d 1h.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- When
- Sunday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $340–1,400
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 45m
- When
- Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $340–1,400
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 37m
- When
- Sunday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $240–950
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Chicago Midway
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 50m
- When
- Saturday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–900
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 55m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- When
- Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $240–950
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,000
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,000
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- When
- Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 15m
- When
- Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $200–800
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $340–1,400
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–900
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 52m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 59m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–800
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $350–1,400
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–1,400
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Salt Lake City
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 53m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $230–900
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Salt Lake City
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Salt Lake City
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–800
Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–800
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–1,400
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $460–1,700
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–600
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to San Francisco International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 36m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $120–460
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Salt Lake City to Emeryville
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 17m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $250–550
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 48m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $240–550
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Emeryville
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 4h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $750–1,600
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Emeryville to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $15–35
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $9–20
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $9–20
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- caltrain.com
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- https://www.caltrain.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_explorer_tab
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- https://www.caltrain.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_explorer_tab
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- https://www.caltrain.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_explorer_tab
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
- Phone
- 1-866-743-3682
- Website
- mta.maryland.gov
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–9
- Website
- https://www.mta.maryland.gov
- Standard Fare
- $2–9
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–9
- Website
- https://www.mta.maryland.gov
- Standard Fare
- $2–9
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Acela
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 20 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $6–550
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/acela-train
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Business Class
- $6–440
- First Class
- $100–550
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 20 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $6–550
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/acela-train
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Business Class
- $6–440
- First Class
- $100–550
- Phone
- +1 202 466 3876
- Website
- wmata.com
Subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Ave. Duration
- 47 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–3
- Website
- https://www.wmata.com
- standard fare after 9:30 p.m
- $2–3
Subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform
- Ave. Duration
- 47 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–3
- Website
- https://www.wmata.com
- standard fare after 9:30 p.m
- $2–3
- Phone
- +1 (831) 425-8600
- Website
- scmtd.com
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- https://scmtd.com/en/
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Emeryville to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Front
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $10–15
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $100–210
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $150–290
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Denver Union Station to Salt Lake City Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $80–160
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide



















