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

Santa Cruz Airport Shuttle Services

There is one shuttle service that will pick you up at the airport and take you right to the Hinds House. They both pick up passengers at San Jose and San Francisco airports.

Early Bird Airport Shuttle (831) 462-3933

Santa Cruz Limousine Services

There are three 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 much better service. For the best prices ask for "Town Car" service.

ABC Sedans and Limousines (831) 477-0170

Cornerstone Airport Express (831) 477-0980

Millennium Limousine (831) 475-4488

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.

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

Taking the VTA Airport Flyer: From the airport terminal follow the ground transpotation signs. The Airport Flyer stops at the islands in front of both terminals. There are two different Airport Flyer buses. Ask the driver whether your 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 from the current zone 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. The first bus leaves for Santa Cruz at 6:00am and leaves about every half hour until the last bus at 10:30pm. 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 farebox.
Get off when you see the HP Pavilion 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 process it in one of the fare gates. Electronic signs and automated announcements indicate where the trains are going. Get on the next “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 from the current zone to Zone 4 ($5.25). All trains that stop at this platform go to San Jose. Get off at the Diridon Station.

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