City in California, United States
Getting around San Jose
How to get around San Jose
VTA light rail and buses link downtown, Santa Clara and the airport, and Caltrain runs north to San Francisco. For anywhere else, take Uber, Lyft or Waymo, or rent a car.
Ways to get around San Jose
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| VTA light rail and buses | $2.50 single; $6 day pass | Downtown to Mountain View and Santa Clara; pay with Clipper or the app |
| Caltrain | About $4–12 by zone | Diridon Station to San Francisco in about 1 h 15 min |
| BART | About $4–8 to Fremont/Warm Springs | Extension to Berryessa; transfer for Oakland and SF |
| Uber / Lyft / Waymo | About $13–24 for 5 km | Main option for evenings; Waymo covers parts of the area |
Ride-hailing apps in San Jose
A 5 km ride costs about $13–24 ($13–24).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Most drivers, including airport pickups |
| Lyft | Reliable alternative |
| Waymo | Driverless rides in parts of the South Bay; check the app |
- Street hailing is rare; book rideshare in advance. Taxis exist but cost more.
Arriving in San Jose
Norman Y. Mineta San José International (SJC)
VTA 60 bus or Uber about $15–25 to downtown, 10–20 min; VTA light rail connection at Metro/Airport.
San Francisco International (SFO)
BART and Caltrain via Millbrae, about $10–15 and 1 h 30 min; Uber about $80–120, 45–75 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rental e-scooters and bikes downtown; riding conditions are fine but distances are long. Helmets advised.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences work for visitors in most states; carry an IDP if yours isn't in English. Under-25s pay rental surcharges.
- Onward travel in United States: Distances are long, so domestic flights are usually fastest. Amtrak works well in the Northeast Corridor; buses are cheapest. Outside big cities you often need a car.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in San Jose?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Lyft, Waymo.
What's the best way to get around San Jose?
VTA light rail and buses link downtown, Santa Clara and the airport, and Caltrain runs north to San Francisco. For anywhere else, take Uber, Lyft or Waymo, or rent a car.
How do I get from the airport to San Jose?
VTA 60 bus or Uber about $15–25 to downtown, 10–20 min; VTA light rail connection at Metro/Airport.
Is San Jose walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about San Jose
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Sources
- Amtrak
- Greyhound
- FlixBus
- VTA (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority)
- Caltrain
- San José Mineta International Airport
- Visit San José
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.