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How do I get from the San Jose or San Francisco airports to Santa
Cruz?
There are four ways to get to Santa Cruz from the San Jose or San
Francisco airports.
Option 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.
Option 2
Take a shuttle from the airport that will drop you at the Chaminade
Resort doorstep.
Details: Santa Cruz
Airport Shuttle Services
There is a good shuttle
services that will pick you up at the airport and take you right to
Chaminade Resort. They pick up passengers at San Jose and San
Francisco airports. Rates run about $75.00 from San Jose to $115.00
from San Francisco plus tip and include up to three people per trip.
Early Bird Airport
Shuttle (831) 462-3933
Option 3
Take a limousine from the airport that will drop you at the
Chaminade Resort doorstep.
Details: 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. Approximate cost is
$90-$130.00 US one way.
ABC Sedans and
Limousines (831) 477-0170
Cornerstone Airport
Express (831) 477-0980
Option 4
Take a combination of bus and train public transport to the Santa
Cruz Metro station and taxi from the Metro Station to the Chaminade
Resort.
Details:
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 Chaminade (Approximate 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. (http://www.scmtd.com/schedule/sched17wdsb.html)
Late arrivals: If
you are still at the Airport after about 9 p.m., 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 p.m. (9:30 p.m. 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 p.m.
(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 arena 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 Santa Cruz (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.
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. (http://www.scmtd.com/schedule/sched17wdsb.html)
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.
Deluxe Cab Company
(831) 475-3232
Yellow Cab Taxi Service
of Santa Cruz provides service directly from the airport and offers
online pickup reservations.
http://www.1800taxicab.com/static/taxi-services-santa-cruz.htm
SUMMARY
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 sharing a
ride. 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) |