There are 4 ways to get from San Rafael to Palo Alto by bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Line 101 bus, Caltrain
best- Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 4th Stbus 101
- Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain Local Weekday / ...
2h 4m$15–21Drive 50.4 mi
cheapest- Drive from San Rafael to Palo Altocar 50.4 mi
1h 2m$10–14Bus
- Take the bus from Larkspur - pickup to San Francisco Airportbus To SFO
- Take the bus from Millbrae Transit Center-Bay C1 to Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 1bus Ecr / ...
2h 57m$35–39Line 101 bus, bus
- Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 2nd Stbus 101
- Take the bus from San Bruno BART-Bay 8 Outer Busway to Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 1bus Ecr
3h 12m$11–18
San Rafael to Palo Alto by bus and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Rafael to Palo Alto is to drive which costs $9 - $14 and takes 1h 2m.
The fastest way to get from San Rafael to Palo Alto is to drive which takes 1h 2m and costs $9 - $14.
No, there is no direct bus from San Rafael to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Larkspur - pickup and arriving at Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 1 via SFO Airport Terminal G-Lower Level and Millbrae Transit Center-Bay C1. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 57m.
The distance between San Rafael and Palo Alto is 52 miles. The road distance is 50.7 miles.
The best way to get from San Rafael to Palo Alto without a car is to line 101 bus and Caltrain which takes 2h 4m and costs $15 - $21.
It takes approximately 2h 4m to get from San Rafael to Palo Alto, including transfers.
San Rafael to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Marin Airporter, depart from Larkspur - pickup station.
San Rafael to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Marin Airporter, arrive at San Francisco Airport station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Rafael to Palo Alto is 51 miles. It takes approximately 1h 2m to drive from San Rafael to Palo Alto.
There are 481+ hotels available in Palo Alto.
What companies run services between San Rafael, CA, USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Larkspur - pickup to Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 1 via San Francisco Airport, SFO Airport Terminal G-Lower Level, and Millbrae Transit Center-Bay C1 in around 2h 57m.
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
- Phone
- +1 415-921-5858
- bridgecomments@goldengate.org
- Website
- Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
Bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 4th St
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $6–9
- Website
- Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
- Adult
- $6–9
Bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Mission St & 2nd St
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $6–9
- Website
- Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
- Adult
- $6–9
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