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Getting to Airports

Taking transit to the airport is a convenient, economic, and safe way to get to your flight. You can save money and hassle in parking, and you don’t have to rely on asking for rides. You can get to all the major Bay Area airports from Santa Cruz, using the Highway 17 Express bus to start your trip over the hill to Diridon Station in San Jose. From there, you have a variety of options for how to proceed, and we’ve provided one possible itinerary for each airport. Use Google Transit to compare the different trips you could take, and find out your exact departure/arrival times for the transit trip (Google Transit may have more current information than the directions listed below).

 To Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC):

(Mineta San Jose International Airport Information)

OR 

  • From Santa Cruz Metro Center in Downtown Santa Cruz, board the Hwy 17 Express to the Diridon Station in Downtown San Jose
  • Board the Northbound Caltrain and ride to the Santa Clara station (the next stop)
  • Board the free VTA Airport Flyer Route 10 bus to the San Jose Airport

To San Francisco International Airport (SFO):

(San Francisco International Airport Information)

  • From Santa Cruz Metro Center in Downtown Santa Cruz, board the Hwy 17 Express
  • Get off at Diridon Train Station in Downtown San Jose
  • Board the Caltrain northbound to San Francisco
  • Exit at the Millbrae Station
  • Board BART northbound (Richmond, Dublin/Pleasanton, or Fremont Trains) to the San Bruno station
  • Transfer BART trains at the San Bruno station to travel southbound to SFO.
  • BART will let you off inside the airport

To Oakland International (OAK):

(Oakland International Airport Information)

  • From Santa Cruz Metro Center in Downtown Santa Cruz, board the Hwy 17 Express
  • Get off at Diridon Train Station in Downtown San Jose.
  • Board VTA Route 180 or 181 to the Fremont BART Station
  • Take BART to the Oakland Coliseum Station
  • Board AC Transit route 73 bus which stops between terminals 1 and 2 at the Oakland Airport. (you can get a BART-to-bus transfer) You can also take the AirBART bus between Coliseum Station and the airport (use cash or BART ticket, doesn’t accept Clipper card)

To Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI):

(Watsonville Municipal Airport Information)

  • Santa Cruz Metro’s route 69A amd 74 both serve the Watsonville Airport.

To Monterey Regional Airport (MRY):

(Monterey Regional Airport Information)

  • From the Salinas Transit Center, take bus 56 to the Olmsted / Monterey Regional Airport bus stop, and a short walk into the airport

Other Options to the Airports:

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