How do I get from the San Jose or San Francisco Airports to Santa Cruz?

There four ways to get to Santa Cruz from the San Jose or San Francisco airport.

1. Rent a car at the airport from one of the major car rental agencies. If you are interested in this option and you don't want to keep your car during your stay be sure to ask if you can do a one-way rental to Santa Cruz.

2. Take a shuttle from the airport that will drop you at our doorstep.

3. Take a limousine from the airport that will drop you at our doorstep.

4. Take a combination of bus and train public transport to the Santa Cruz Metro station and walk 6 blocks from the Metro Station to the Hinds House.

The public transport option is the least expensive and takes the most time (up to 3 hours). The limousine service is the fastest and the most expensive for one person (1.25 hours). This option is roughly the same price as the shuttles if there are two people. Shuttle services are a little less expensive than limousine service and take a little longer, as you have to wait for other passengers going to Santa Cruz (2 hours). Below we give more details on each option (we don't give information on renting a car since that information is easily available online or at the airport).

Santa Cruz Airport Shuttle Services

Thereis a good shuttle services that will pick you up at the airport and take you right to the Hinds House. They pick up passengers at San Jose and San Francisco airports. Rates average about $50.00 from San Jose to $60.00 from San Francisco plus tip.

Early Bird Airport Shuttle (831) 462-3933

Santa Cruz Airport Flyer (831) 423-5937

Santa Cruz Limousine Services

There are two Limousine services in Santa Cruz that provide airport pickup. The advantage of these services is they will pick you up at a prearranged time. This means you don't have to wait an hour or two for the next shuttle to arrive. If you are traveling alone these services are about twice the price of the shuttles. If you are two people traveling, their fees are about the same as the shuttles with faster service. For the best prices ask for "Town Car" service.

ABC Sedans and Limousines (831) 477-0170

Cornerstone Airport Express (831) 477-0980

Public Transportation

There is no direct train or bus service to Santa Cruz from San Francisco or San Jose airports. Taking public transportation from the airports is possible if one is willing to exchange time and convenience for a lower cost to travel. Help us keep this current by letting us know of schedule and destination changes.

From San Jose Airport (SJC) to Hinds House (Total Fare: $6.25, Time: 2.5 - 3 hours):

Taking the VTA Airport Flyer: From the airport terminal follow the ground transportation signs. The Airport Flyer stops at the islands in front of both terminals. There are two different Airport Flyer buses. You want the bus to the Caltrain Station. Ask the driver if that bus is going to the Caltrain Station. If it's going to the Metro Light Rail Station, do not get on. Get off the bus at the Santa Clara Caltrain Station (the last stop).

Taking the Caltrain: After getting off the Airport Flyer, go forward to the train platform. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket to Zone 4 ($2.25). Trains to San Jose use the closest track. Avoid trains marked ACE . Get off at the Diridon Station.

Taking the Highway 17 Express Bus to Santa Cruz: This bus leaves the Diridon Station and travels over the Santa Cruz Mountains (45 minutes) via Highway 17 ($4.00 one way). The first bus leaves for Santa Cruz at 6:00am and leaves about every half hour until the last bus at 10:40pm Mon-Fri. The last bus leaves at 10:10pm on weekends. You can see the Bus Schedule here.

Late arrivals: If you are still at the Airport after about 9pm , find a taxi. You are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street. If you are still at Santa Clara Caltrain Station after about 9:50 PM (9:30 PM on weekends), call a taxi. You are at the train station opposite the entrance to Santa Clara University; the address is 1001 Railroad Avenue. Again, you are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street. You can also catch a bus at 9:58 PM (Saturday at 9:38 PM , Sunday at 9:41 PM ), from Santa Clara Caltrain Station to San Jose (Diridon) Station. Instructions:

Return to the bus stop where you got off the Airport Flyer.

Cross the station roadway and wait at the opposite bus stop.

Get on the VTA 22 bus. It will be going toward “Eastridge”.
Deposit $1.75 in the fare box.
Get off when you see the HP Pavilion (a big areana for sporting events) coming up on the left.
Ignore any advice to get off later.

For the Highway 17 Express, dial 1 -800 USA -RAIL (nationwide, toll-free). Ask for schedules between Santa Cruz and San Jose. For other transportation services, dial 511 (San Francisco Bay Area, toll-free) or 1 408 817-1717 .

From San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Hinds House (Total Fare: $10.75, Time: 2.5 hours):

Taking BART: The BART Station is attached to the International Terminal. Buy a $1.50 ticket and put it in one of the fare gates. Electronic signs and automated announcements indicate where the trains are going. Get on the train to the San Bruno Station. At San Bruno, get on the “Millbrae” train. Avoid all other trains. Move toward the front of the train if possible. You will be closer to the escalator when you get off. Get off the train at Millbrae which is the only stop. An agent will announce it.

Finding the Caltrain: After getting off the BART train, go up to the mezzanine and re-process your ticket. Now, go down to the far Caltrain platform — the one that's across the Caltrain tracks. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket to Zone 4 ($5.75). All trains that stop at this platform go to San Jose. Get off at the Diridon Station.

For the Highway 17 Express, dial 1 800 USA -RAIL (nationwide, toll-free). Ask for schedules between Santa Cruz and San Jose. For other transportation services, dial 511 (San Francisco Bay Area, toll-free) or 1 408 817-1717 .

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