The free Airport Flyer, Caltrain, BART, and driving options from San Jose Airport into San Francisco.
Last verified: October 2, 2026
San Jose Airport to San Francisco is the longest of the three Bay Area airport trips, but the transit connection starts with a free bus. Here’s how it works.
Quick answer: Take the free VTA Route 60 Airport Flyer to the Santa Clara Transit Center, then a northbound Caltrain to San Francisco’s 4th and King station. Or take Route 60 to Milpitas BART and ride BART into the city. Rideshare and rental cars are direct but cost more.
Airport Flyer + Caltrain Recommended
Route 60 to Santa Clara, Then Caltrain North
1. Catch VTA Route 60 (Airport Flyer) toward Winchester at Terminal A (Stop 7) or Terminal B (Stop 5). It’s free from SJC.
2. Get off at the Santa Clara Transit Center.
3. Board a northbound Caltrain to San Francisco.
4. Arrive at 4th and King in SoMa, then take Muni or a rideshare to your hotel.
Check the Caltrain schedule first. Caltrain runs less often than BART, especially evenings and weekends, so check caltrain.com for train times and fares before you land.
Airport Flyer + BART
You can also ride Route 60 toward Milpitas BART to the Milpitas BART station, then take BART into San Francisco. BART stops at four downtown stations, which can be closer to your hotel than 4th and King. See our BART guide for how to pay and which stop to use.
Rideshare, Taxi, and Rental Car
Uber, Lyft, and taxis all serve SJC and go door to door, but the long drive up the Peninsula makes them far more expensive than transit, and traffic on Highway 101 or I-280 can add a lot of time. Check prices in your app before you book.
A rental car makes sense if you’re also exploring Silicon Valley or the South Bay. Plan for San Francisco’s parking costs once you arrive; see our San Francisco parking guide.
Connecting to SFO
Groome Transportation runs scheduled shuttles between SJC and SFO. By transit, take Route 60 to Santa Clara, Caltrain north to Millbrae, and BART to SFO.
Should You Fly Into SJC?
If San Francisco is your only destination, SFO is usually more convenient because of its direct BART connection. SJC makes more sense if you’re also visiting Silicon Valley or the South Bay, or if the flight is much cheaper. See our SFO airport transportation guide.
Staying in San Francisco?
A hotel near a downtown BART station or Caltrain makes arriving from SJC easier. See our San Francisco neighborhood guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from San Jose Airport to San Francisco by transit?
Take the free VTA Route 60 Airport Flyer from SJC toward Winchester to the Santa Clara Transit Center, then take a northbound Caltrain to San Francisco. The airport calls this the most efficient public transit route to downtown San Francisco.
Is the SJC Airport Flyer free?
Yes. VTA Route 60, the Airport Flyer, is free to ride in either direction from SJC. It stops at Terminal A (Stop 7) and Terminal B (Stop 5).
Can I take BART from San Jose Airport?
Yes, with a transfer. Take VTA Route 60 toward Milpitas BART to the Milpitas BART station, then ride BART into San Francisco.
Where does Caltrain arrive in San Francisco?
At the 4th and King station in SoMa. From there, take Muni or a rideshare to most downtown hotels.
Is there a shuttle from SJC to SFO?
Groome Transportation runs scheduled shuttles between SJC and SFO. By transit, you can also take Route 60 to Santa Clara, Caltrain to Millbrae, and BART to SFO.
Should I fly into SJC if I’m visiting San Francisco?
If San Francisco is your only destination, SFO is usually more convenient because of its direct BART connection. SJC makes more sense if you’re also visiting Silicon Valley or the South Bay, or if the flight is much cheaper.
Quick Reference: San Jose Airport to San Francisco
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best transit route | Route 60 to Santa Clara, then Caltrain north |
| Airport Flyer cost | Free from SJC |
| Airport Flyer stops | Terminal A (Stop 7), Terminal B (Stop 5) |
| BART option | Route 60 to Milpitas BART |
| Caltrain SF station | 4th and King, SoMa |
| Schedules and fares | caltrain.com, vta.org, bart.gov |
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