✈ How to get from San Jose Airport to San Jose

San Jose is a major city in the San Francisco Bay Area and it’s worth a visit if you’re travelling through the west coast. It’s a major technology hub and has a lot to offer, combining impressive architectural landmarks, innovation, cultural diversity, and sunny weather.

If you’re arriving at San Jose SJC Airport, then you can very easily reach downtown San Jose either by taking an airport taxi or by taking the local bus. Taxis are available all day long at SJC Airport for on-demand service but you can pre-book your San Jose airport to San Jose shuttle and skip the line at the rank. If you’re travelling on a budget and you’re looking for a convenient but cheaper option, then the bus is a great choice. There is no direct connection between San Jose SJC Airport to San Jose but you can get there by taking line 60 and then switching to line 22; it will take you right downtown.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to San Jose 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
Taxi	€20	12min	24/7
Bus	€10	35min	05:24–23:50

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

Getting a pre-booked or on-demand airport taxi to reach downtown San Jose is definitely the fastest and most comfortable transportation option. The distance from SJC Airport to San Jose is only 6.5 kilometres and a taxi will get you there in only 12 minutes in light traffic.

How much does a taxi from San Jose SJC Airport to downtown cost?

Official taxis in San Jose are metered and regulated by the state but you can come across different rates among operators. The average fare for a standard taxi from San Jose SJC Airport to downtown is $20 (€‎19) for up to 4 passengers.

Photos (1)

Official San Jose, CA taxi

Cost

$20

Trip Duration

12 min

The total fare might differ depending on the provider, exact distance and other applicable surcharges.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available at San Jose Airport 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

You’ll find official taxis at San Jose Airport 24/7, lined up for on-demand service. The rank is located outside Terminal A at Stop 2 and Terminal B at Stop 1.

Convenience

Choosing San Jose Airport to San Jose taxi is the most convenient transportation option to reach your accommodation downtown quickly and comfortably. No matter what time your flight arrives, you can simply hop in a taxi and relax instead of checking timetables and looking for the correct bus stop. To save more time and avoid waiting in line for a taxi, you can pre-book your San Jose airport shuttle and have a driver wait for you as soon as you land.

Editor’s Note

The fare for an airport taxi in San Jose is definitely worth it to reach your destination quickly and in comfort. Even if you're travelling on a budget, it's still a good option, especially if you're travelling in a larger group.

Useful Tips

If you don’t pre-book your taxi from San Jose Airport to San Jose, it’s worth asking the driver what the rate is before you start the ride.

Most taxis in San Jose accept card payments but it’s best to carry some cash on you just in case.

Tipping your driver is at your discretion; a 10% tip or more is the norm in San Jose, CA.

Make sure to ask for a receipt at the end of the ride in case you leave any personal items behind.

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

Getting from San Jose Airport to San Jose by bus is a budget-friendly option, available from early in the morning until late at night. You’ll need to use two different buses; first VTA bus line 60 from San Jose Airport Terminal A/B to El Camino & Lafayette and then VTA bus line 22 from El Camino & Lafayette to Santa Clara & 6th or whichever bus stop is closer to your final destination.

How much does the bus ticket from San Jose Airport to San Jose cost?

A single adult ticket for VTA buses costs $2.50 (€‎2.30). Since you’ll need to take two different buses, the total cost for the trip from San Jose SJC Airport to downtown amounts to $5 (€‎4.60) per traveller.

Photos (2)

VTA bus lines 60 and 22

Cost

$5

Trip Duration

35 min

The trip duration can be affected by traffic and weather conditions.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

VTA bus line 60 runs every 30 minutes from 05:24 until 23:50 and 22; bus line 22 passes through El Camino & Lafayette every 30 minutes from 04:30 until 02:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can catch bus line 60 from both Terminals A and B. The bus stop is located on Airport Blvd in front of each Terminal. Then you’ll need to disembark at El Camino & Lafayette and switch to bus line 22 until you reach downtown San Jose.

Convenience

Taking the bus from San Jose Airport to the San Jose downtown area is a good option if you’re travelling on a budget. The total travel time is longer than taking a taxi but it’s still worth it if you’re not in a hurry. Keep in mind that these are public buses, meaning they can get rather crowded during peak hours. Also, if your flight arrives after midnight, buses aren’t available so getting a taxi will be your only option.

Timetables

Trip Planner

From SJC Airport to San Jose

Bus line 60

Stops & Timetable

Bus line 22

Stops & Timetable

Editor’s Note

If you're a solo traveller and carrying only light luggage, then taking the bus is a good option to stay within budget. For more than 2 travellers, the price will be the same as taking an airport taxi so you're better off taking one in the first place; it's faster, private, and much more comfortable.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket on the bus only in cash; make sure to have the exact change ready when boarding.

There is a 50% youth, seniors, and disabled discount on VTA buses; children up to 5 years old travel free of charge.

All buses in San Jose, CA are fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Welcome Pickups transfer

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 jose. 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

DAYTIME

€53.0

NIGHTTIME

€64.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

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

What’s the cost of a taxi from San Jose airport to downtown?

Official San Jose taxis are metred but you can come across different rates among operators. The average fare for a standard taxi from San Jose SJC Airport to downtown is $20 (€‎19) for up to 4 passengers.

How do I get from San Jose SJC airport to downtown San Jose?

There are two different options to get from San Jose Airport to San Jose; either by taxi or by bus. Choosing an airport taxi will get you to your destination in about 15 minutes and it will cost you about $20 (€‎19) for up to 4 passengers. The bus is a cheaper alternative at about $5 (€‎4.60) per traveller. You’ll need to take bus line 60 from the airport and switch to line 22 at El Camino & Lafayette and you’ll reach downtown San Jose in about 35 minutes in light traffic.

What's the distance from SJC airport to San Jose?

San Jose Airport is within city limits and it’s located about 6.5 kilometres northwest of downtown San Jose. The trip by car or taxi should take about 12 minutes in light traffic.

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

How much does a taxi from San Jose SJC Airport to downtown cost?

Photos (1)

Cost

$20

Trip Duration

12 min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available at San Jose Airport 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

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

How much does the bus ticket from San Jose Airport to San Jose cost?

Photos (2)

Cost

$5

Trip Duration

35 min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

VTA bus line 60 runs every 30 minutes from 05:24 until 23:50 and 22; bus line 22 passes through El Camino & Lafayette every 30 minutes from 04:30 until 02:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Trip Planner

From SJC Airport to San Jose

Bus line 60

Stops & Timetable

Bus line 22

Stops & Timetable

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

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

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cost of a taxi from San Jose airport to downtown?

How do I get from San Jose SJC airport to downtown San Jose?

What's the distance from SJC airport to San Jose?

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