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How to get fromSanta Monica to San Rafaelby bus, plane, subway, train (Amtrak), car, tram, bus (Greyhound) or bus (Flixbus)

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There are 11 ways to get from Santa Monica to San Rafael by bus, plane, subway, train (Amtrak), car, tram, bus (Greyhound), or bus (Flixbus)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LAX - SFO
    3. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    5h 2m
    $51–223

  2. Bus (Greyhound)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0831
    11h 50m
    $48–181

  3. Bus, BART

    1. Take the bus from Chinatown Station to San Jose - Huong Lan Sandwichbus bus San Fran
    2. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to El Cerrito Del Nortesubway subway Orange-N
    10h 20m
    $67–76

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Van Nuys to Oaklandtrain train Coast Starlight
    15h 10m
    $80–166

  5. Drive 389.5 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica to San Rafaelcar car 389.5 mi
    6h 32m
    $72–103

  6. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LAX - OAK
    3. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    5h 11m
    $72–408

  7. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, BART, line 580 bus

    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LAX - SJC
    3. Take the subway from Milpitas to El Cerrito Del Nortesubway subway
    4. Take the bus from El Cerrito del Norte BART Station to Andersen Dr & Du Bois Stbus bus
    6h 33m
    $71–405

  8. Fly Burbank Bob Hope Airport to San Francisco International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane BUR - SFO
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus bus
    6h 30m
    $249–291

  9. Tram to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane BUR - OAK
    3. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    6h 34m
    $85–446

  10. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Oakland International Airport, bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Pico Stationtram tram
    2. Take the tram from Pico Station to Del Amo Stationtram tram
    3. Take the bus from Del Amo Station Bay 2 to Del Amo & Lakewood SEbus bus
    4. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LGB - OAK
    5. Take the bus from Oakland International Airport to San Rafaelbus bus
    7h 8m
    $97–511

  11. Bus via San Francisco (Flixbus)

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Franciscobus bus FlixBus 2005
    12h 41m
    $55–163

Santa Monica to San Rafael by bus, train, foot, and subway (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration15h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$80Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and San Rafael, CA, USA?

Amtrak operates a train from Van Nuys to Oakland once daily. Tickets cost $70–150 and the journey takes 10h 48m. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Francisco Bus Station once daily. Tickets cost $40–170 and the journey takes 8h 10m.

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