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How to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport

San Francisco and San Jose are both impressive, cosmopolitan cities in the Bay Area. San Francisco is modern and exciting. San Jose is suburban and known as the beating heart of Silicon Valley.

If you want to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport, you have a few options. The easiest and quickest option is to take a taxi. The 55 km journey shouldn’t take longer than 40 minutes. The next option is the Monterey Airbus, also known as the SFO to SJC shuttle bus which takes around 55 minutes. Finally, you have the train, however, this is the least convenient option as you’ll need to transfer twice and the journey takes closer to 1 hour and 50 minutes. 

Alternatively, you can always book a private transfer with a top-rated company like Welcome for your private shuttle from SFO to SJC and travel safely and stress-free.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to San Francisco at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €122 40min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €102 40min 24/7
Shuttle Bus €46 55min 05:00–00:00
Train €29.30 110min 05:00–00:00

How to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport by taxi

Taking a taxi is the best way to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport. The trip is straightforward; it should only take around 40 minutes in light traffic and 55 minutes in heavier traffic.

Taxi fare from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport

Your taxi will likely cost around $115 (€102). However, San Francisco airport drivers rarely have a set-price fare. Instead, they use a taximeter. The taximeter will calculate the final cost depending on the distance and time travelled. There are additional costs for airport fees and extra passengers too, which may increase the cost of your trip.

With a private transfer, you can relax knowing that you have a competitive fixed rate secured and paid in advance, with no hidden fees.

Cost

$115 (€102)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*Prices vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 from San Francisco Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

There are plenty of taxis available 24/7 at San Francisco Airport; you’ll find them lined up outside each one of the terminal buildings.

Convenience

The most convenient way of getting from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport is by taxi or private transfer. All of your luggage will be transported safely and you’ll get to SJC swiftly, allowing plenty of time for your connecting flight.

Editor’s Note

Taxi drivers in San Francisco are known for being friendly and accommodating. So expect an interesting conversation during your journey.

Useful Tips

Budget an extra 15-20% for tipping your driver. It’s customary to tip in California.
Taxis in San Francisco take both cash and cards.
Make sure the taximeter is clearly visible and reset to the base rate before starting your journey.

How to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport by bus

The shuttle from SFO to SJC is the second-best way to travel. The Monterey Airbus takes just 55 minutes and will take you straight to SJC. The buses run every 1 hour and 15 minutes from 05:00 to midnight, seven days a week.

How much does the SFO to SJC shuttle bus cost?

The Monterey Airbus shuttle from SFO to SJC costs $25 (€23) for a one-way ticket. Children under 3 years old ride free. You can purchase a ticket online or in person.

Cost

$25 (€23)

Trip Duration

55 Min.

There is a wait time of up to 1 hour and 15 minutes for the bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Buses are available from 05:00 to midnight every day.

Where do I get the SFO to SJC shuttle bus from?

To find the San Francisco to San Jose Airport shuttle bus, exit the airport from door 2. Cross over the street and find the island called “Airporters”. That is the shuttle bus stop. 

Convenience

The SFO to SJC shuttle is a convenient and low-cost way of travelling. It can be tiring to carry your luggage on the bus and the service is not available between midnight and 05:00. However, for small groups travelling during the day, it’s a good option.

Editor’s Note

San Francisco Airport is a large airport which is tricky to navigate at times. If you’re struggling to find the shuttle bus stop, ask the airport staff for directions.

Useful Tips

It’s customary to tip your shuttle bus driver around 15% of the fare.
Contact customer service for updates on the schedule of the shuttle bus if you’re travelling during the holidays.
There is a limit to how much luggage you can carry on the shuttle bus. More specifically, you’re limited to one large suitcase, or two small suitcases and one piece of hand luggage per person.

How to get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport by train

The train journey from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport is quite difficult for tourists. It’s a combination of two trains and one bus to complete the journey, and it’ll take roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes, end to end. 

The first train is the BART from SFO to Millbrae. You need to take the red line and it’ll take just 4 minutes. The second train is the L1 or L4 Caltrain from Millbrae to Santa Clara. That should take 1 hour and 10 minutes. From Santa Clara, you can get the 60 bus to San Jose Airport. This final leg of the journey takes 15 minutes.

How much does the trip by train from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport cost?

The BART from SFO Airport to Millbrae costs $4.95 (€4.60) per person, the L1 or L4 Caltrain to Santa Clara costs $8.25 (€7.70) per person and the 60 bus to SJC Airport costs $2.50 (€2.33) per person. That brings the total journey cost to around $15.70 (€14.65) per traveller.

Cost

$15.70 (€14.65)

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 50 Min.

Wait times can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour for each service.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Trains are available from 05:00 to midnight.

Where do I get the train from?

You can get the BART from the International Terminal building at SFO.

Convenience

We don’t recommend travelling by train from SFO to SJC. The journey is long and navigating public transport with luggage after one flight, on your way to your next flight, can be tiring. Opting for a private transfer would be much more straightforward.

Editor’s Note

If you choose to take this route, pack light! There is limited space for luggage on the train and bus services.

Useful Tips

You cannot buy a ticket on the Caltrain so you’ll need to purchase your ticket in advance from the station ticket machine or using the Caltrain app.
Seniors, young people, and individuals with disabilities are entitled to a 50% discount.
Be careful with your belongings as public transport is often targeted by pickpockets.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in San francisco. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport?

You can get a private SFO to SJC shuttle or taxi to travel comfortably and directly; this is the quickest and easiest method, as it will only take 40 minutes. There is also a shared shuttle bus service from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport. This is the economical option that takes roughly 55 minutes. Lastly, you can opt for train services but we don’t recommend it because the journey is much longer and difficult to navigate – especially for tourists. 

What is the distance between San Francisco Airport and San Jose Airport?

The distance between San Francisco Airport and San Jose Airport is 44 km. By taxi, the trip will take roughly 40 minutes, while the shared SFO to SJC shuttle bus will take closer to 55 minutes.

What’s the cost of a taxi from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport?

A taxi from San Francisco Airport to San Jose Airport will likely cost $115 (€102), but this is just the average. Prices vary depending on the distance, time of day, number of passengers and wait time in traffic. If you want a fixed rate that is confirmed in advance and won’t change, consider booking a private transfer instead.

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