Santa Cruz, CA, USA to San Mateo, CA, USA from $4: 5 ways by bus, train, flight or car

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How to Get from Santa Cruz to San Mateo: Cheapest, Fastest and Best Way

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$4 by busBest price

89 kmDistance

1h 3m Fastest

Compare Train, Bus, Flight, and Driving Options

Get detailed, step-by-step directions below for your trip from Santa Cruz to San Mateo with 1Map travel planner. Easily compare ticket prices, explore various transport options, and find the best routes for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience.

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Santa Cruz - San Mateo operators

Explore transport companies operating between Santa Cruz and San Mateo, with prices starting at . These companies offer competitive pricing, flexible schedules, and comfortable travel experiences.

Bus

Contact phone

+1 800-872-7245

Website

https://www.amtrak.com/home.html

Bus from Santa Cruz, CA to San Jose, CA

Average Duration

50m

Estimated price

4-19

Contact phone

+1 (831) 425-8600

Website

http://www.scmtd.com

Bus from Ocean & Water to Diridon Station

Average Duration

56m

Estimated price

4-7

Bus from Soquel Ave & Front to Diridon Station

Average Duration

58m

Estimated price

4-7

Contact phone

+1 408-321-2300

Website

http://vta.org

Bus from Santa Clara & 2nd to Palo Alto Transit Center

Average Duration

1h 31m

Estimated price

42-42

Website

http://samtrans.com

Bus from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 to El Camino Real & E 5th Ave

Average Duration

56m

Estimated price

41-44

Train

Contact phone

+1 800-660-4287

Website

http://www.caltrain.com

Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain to San Mateo Caltrain

Average Duration

1h 4m

Estimated price

7-9

Taxi

Contact phone

+1 831-423-1234

Taxi from Santa Cruz to Monterey

Average Duration

47m

Estimated price

150-4380

Plane

Website

https://www.united.com

Plane from Monterey Airport to San Francisco Airport

Average Duration

56m

Estimated price

190-420

Santa Cruz to San Mateo: Overview of Bus, Train, Flight, and Car Trips

Traveling between Santa Cruz and San Mateo offers a variety of convenient options to suit your preferences, schedule, and budget. Whether you prioritize affordability, speed, or comfort, you’re sure to find the perfect way to travel without compromising on quality or convenience.

🚗 Starting your journey from the picturesque coastal city of Santa Cruz you'll embark on a scenic drive northward towards San Mateo covering a distance of 56 miles. 💸 The cost of driving from Santa Cruz to San Mateo can range between $10 to $15, offering an affordable and convenient travel option for those looking to explore the Bay Area. 🌉 After approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes on the road, you'll arrive in San Mateo, ready to enjoy its charming neighborhoods, local eateries, and perhaps even a visit to the beautiful Central Park.

Average price

$10 - $15

🌁 The flight typically takes around 56 minutes, providing passengers with stunning aerial views of the Bay Area as they make their way to San Francisco Airport. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the short trip to your destination in San Mateo.

Departure Point

Monterey Airport

Arrival Point

San Francisco Airport

🚌 The journey from Santa Cruz to San Mateo by bus requires a few transfers, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. 🚏 Santa Cruz Metro operates the bus services departing from Soquel Ave & Front, while SamTrans operates the services arriving at El Camino Real & E 5th Ave in San Mateo. 💰 The bus fare between Santa Cruz and San Mateo ranges from $4 to $19, offering an affordable and convenient travel option for this route.

Departure Point

Soquel Ave & Front station

Arrival Point

El Camino Real & E 5th Ave station

Frequently asked questions

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The distance between Santa Cruz and San Mateo is approximately 70.8 km by road. The typical travel time between the two cities can vary depending on the mode of transportation. By taking a combination of a bus and Caltrain, it usually takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach San Mateo from Santa Cruz. However, if you prefer to drive, it only takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes to travel from San Mateo to Santa Cruz by car. Taking a bus directly from Santa Cruz to San Mateo can take around 3 hours and 38 minutes.

The most cost-effective option for traveling from Santa Cruz to San Mateo is by taking the bus and line 22 bus, which costs between $4 and $19 and takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes. However, if time efficiency is a priority, driving is the fastest option, taking approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes and costing around $10 to $15 in fuel costs.

The prices for traveling from Santa Cruz to San Mateo by bus can range from $4 to $19, depending on the specific bus service and any promotions or discounts available.

To travel from Santa Cruz to San Mateo without using public transportation, you can drive the distance of 90.1 km, which takes approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes. The driving route offers the flexibility of going directly from one location to the other. The estimated cost of driving from Santa Cruz to San Mateo ranges from $10 to $15, depending on factors like gas prices and tolls.

The best way to travel from Santa Cruz to San Mateo without a car is by taking a bus and then transferring to Caltrain. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes and the cost is typically around $9-$16. Alternatively, it is also possible to travel between the two cities by car, which takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes.

There is no direct link between Santa Cruz and San Mateo by bus. However, there are bus services available with transfers. The journey starts at Ocean & Water in Santa Cruz and involves transfers at San Jose Diridon, Santa Clara & 2nd, and Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9, before arriving at El Camino Real & E 5th Ave in San Mateo. This journey takes approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes.

The flight between Santa Cruz and San Mateo typically takes around 49 minutes on a direct flight from Monterey Airport to San Francisco Airport. The cost of the flight can vary depending on the airline and the time of booking. However, on average, a round trip ticket can range from $200 to $400.

There are plenty of accommodation options available in San Mateo with over 510 hotels to choose from. Prices start at $58 per night, making it affordable for all budgets.