6 Ways to Get from SJC to SFO Airport [2023]

Are you looking for ways to get from SJC to SFO? Then you’re in the right place.

Since there are no flights between the two airports, this guide will give you the best possible options available for ground transportation for an easy transfer.

While there are multiple ways to get from San Jose airport to SFO, the most convenient one is riding the Monterey Airbus shuttle, which takes about an hour to get there.

Depending on your budget and travel time, this post will have different transportation options based on your preferences.

6 Best ways to get from SJC to SFO

There are several options to get from San Jose Airport to SFO without a car.

The fastest alternative is to take a taxi or Uber, while the cheapest would be to ride a combination of VTA Bus + Caltrain + Bus. 

The most convenient way would be to book a shuttle from San Jose Airport to San Francisco Airport via Monterey Airbus. 

You can also book a private transfer, especially if you are traveling with your family or a group. 

A combination of Bus + Caltrain + BART is also available though it might require more transfers than you would like, and there’s also the option of riding the Bus + BART though it will take the most time.

SJC Airport to SFO Airport Quick Snapshot

• Most Convenient: SJC to SFO Shuttle (Monterey Airbus) 
• Fastest: (consider rush hour traffic): Rideshare or Taxi
• Cheapest: Bus + Caltrain + Bus

Click the links below to see each option in detail.

Transportation	Time	Cost
Shuttle (Monterey Airbus)	0:55 to 1:05	$25
Uber or Taxi	0:35 to 0:50	from $55
Private Transfer	depends on the service you avail	from $65
Bus + Caltrain + BART	1:03 to 1:10	$13.20
Bus + Caltrain + Bus	1:17 to 1:20	$10.50
Bus + BART	2:20 to 2:40	$14.30

💡 Read this article if you need to travel from SFO Airport to San Jose

1. SJC to SFO Shuttle (Monterey Airbus)

• Best For: those who want a stress-free transfer
• Estimated Cost/Travel Time: $25, 0:55 mins – 1:05 hrs
• Pick-up Location: SJC Terminal B
• Drop-off Location: SFO Domestic and International Terminals
• Earliest / Latest Departure: 3:45 a.m. / 8:45 p.m.

Taking the shuttle from SJC to SFO via Monterey Airbus is relatively inexpensive.

It would be safe to say that this is the cheapest shuttle to SFO from San Jose.

The trips are non-stop and run almost by the hour, starting as early as 3:45 a.m., with the last service departing at 8:45 p.m.

You can book your slot as early as 24 hours to as late as 4 hours before shuttle departure. See the schedule here.

This is the most convenient way to get from San Jose Airport to SFO for a reasonable price.

2. By Private Transfer

• Best For: those traveling with family or group
• Estimated Cost: check price

If you’re wondering how to get from SJC to SFO without the hassle of transfers or sharing a ride with others, then booking a private transfer is the best option for you.

This alternative also works great if you’re traveling with your family or a group.

This transfer service tracks your flight arrival time so you can be assured that you have a professional driver waiting for you.

The cost includes up to 8 passengers so you will save more money than going with a regular airport shuttle that is charged per person.

3. By Uber or Taxi

• Best For: those in a hurry and have more luggage
• Estimated Cost/Travel Time: from $55 / 0:35 mins – 0:50 mins (see estimator)
• Pick-up Location: Terminal A – Arrivals Curbside, Stop #1 (Google Map), Terminal B – Ground Transportation Island Stops 8 & 9

If you’re in a hurry, have a bit more luggage, or don’t like sharing a ride with other people, taking an Uber or a taxi from San Jose to SFO is your best bet.

While taxis are readily available once you exit the airport terminal, waiting for your rideshare will only take a couple of minutes.

This option does come with a heavy price tag, and prices can change quickly with surge increases which can mean that you will end up paying way more than you budgeted.

4. By Bus + Caltrain + BART

• Best For: those who have time, traveling light, and looking for a cheaper option
• Travel Time: 0:09 mins + 0:50 mins + 0:04 mins = 1:03 hours
• Estimated Cost: FREE (Bus) + $8.25 (Caltrain) + $4.95 (BART) = $13.20 
• Pick-up Location: Terminal A (Stop 7), Terminal B (Stop 5)

In order to do this transfer, follow the steps below:

• Suggested Route: VTA Bus #60 > Santa Clara Transit station Caltrain > Millbrae station > Millbrae BART > SFO Airport

1. Make your way to the VTA City Bus area either in Stop 7 of Terminal A or Stop 5 of Terminal B. From there, take VTA Bus #60 to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. 

VTA bus is a free transit bus from the airport so you don’t need to purchase tickets to avail of its services. 

2. Once you reach the Caltrain station, purchase a one-way ticket to Millbrae Transit Center via your Clipper Card or the Ticket Machine. Traveling from Santa Clara to Millbrae would require you to travel through 3 zones and would cost $8.25 

Try to take the L4 train as it travels faster than the other lines. 

3. At the Millbrae Station, proceed to platform 3 (the one closest to the Caltrain station) and transfer to the BART Red-S line for a direct 4-minute ride to SFO. See the schedule for the transfer times between the two lines.

Tip: It’s a good idea to get a Clipper card at the Santa Clara Station and load it with enough money for your Caltrain and BART fares.

• HOW TO RIDE CALTRAIN

At the station, look for a Ticket Vending Machine. There are two kinds, one that offers Clipper products and another that dispenses paper tickets. 

Clipper tickets are straightforward, as you only have to ensure you have enough value to travel to your destination.

Select your ticket type and destination for paper tickets, then pay for the total amount using cash, credit, or debit. 

Alternatively, you can also purchase tickets via the Caltrain Mobile App. Once you have a valid ticket, you can board the train to your destination.

• Hours of Operation:
  • VTA Bus: 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., every 20 minutes
  • Caltrain: 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., every hour
  • BART: 5:04 a.m. to 11:58 p.m., every 11 minutes

5. By Bus + Caltrain + Bus

• Travel Time: 0:09 mins + 0:50 mins + 0:04 mins = 1:03 hours
• Estimated Cost: $0 (Bus) + $8.25 (Caltrain) + $2.25 (Bus) = $10.50
• Samstrans Bus Stop Map

This option is the cheapest way to get from San Jose Airport to San Francisco Airport.

This route is similar to the one above, which involves taking the VTA Bus #60 to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station and then taking the train to Millbrae Station.

However, instead of switching to the Millbrae BART line, go to the SamTrans bus station and take the Route 292 bus (see schedule).

Buses run every half hour from 8:20 a.m. to 11:45 p.m and stop at Terminal A. You can pay for the ride via SamTrans mobile app, Clipper, or cash when you board. 

If you end up missing the BART connection or couldn’t find the right platform, you can take this option instead.

6. By Bus + BART

• Best For: Those looking for fewer transfers but not pressed for time
• Travel Time: 0:30 mins + 1:46 hours = 2:36 hours
• Estimated Cost: Free (Bus) + $14.30 (BART) = $14.30
• Pick-up Location: Terminal A (Stop 7), Terminal B (Stop 5)

In order to do this transfer, please follow the steps below:

• Suggested Route: VTA Bus #60 > Milpitas Transit station > Milpitas BART > SFO Airport

1. Make your way to the pickup location and take the free VTA Bus (#60) to the Milpitas Transit Center. 

2. From here, head northwest and walk for about 3 minutes to the Milpitas BART Station where you can ride the BART to SFO which will take anywhere from 1:40-1:50 hours.

• Hours of Operation:
  • VTA Bus: 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., every 20 minutes
  • BART: 4:42 a.m. to 11:52 p.m., every 15 minutes

💡 Not leaving from the airport? Check out this post for travel from San Jose to San Francisco

FAQs: San Jose Airport to SFO Airport

Is there a shuttle from San Jose Airport to San Francisco Airport? 

Yes, there is a shuttle that will take you directly between SFO and SJC. The Monterey Airbus to SFO is a private, non-stop charter service that you can book 4 hours to 24 hours before the shuttle’s departure.

How far is it from San Jose airport to San Francisco?

The San Jose airport is around 33.6 miles from the San Francisco airport and would take around 35 minutes to an hour drive via US-101 S, given that there are no traffic delays.

San Jose is located south of the Bay area, and you can expect to see some traffic when traveling during the rush hour.

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

The fastest way would be to take a taxi or an Uber. Alternatively, you can ride a combination of different public transportation (Bus, Caltrain, and BART).

Wrap-Up: San Jose Airport to San Francisco Airport

Depending on what kind of traveler you are, the time you have available, or the type of service you’re looking for, there are several other options to get from San Jose Airport to San Francisco Airport without a car.

Choose the best option for you and plan ahead for a stress-free transfer from SJC to SFO.

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• Oakland Airport to San Francisco
• San Francisco to Sacramento
• San Jose Breweries