Airport Hubs:
SFO → Silicon Valley & San Jose (Palo Alto, Mountain View & Diridon) Updated for 2026

SFO Airport to Silicon Valley: 2026 Transit Guide

Distance 55 km
Fastest 45 min
From $10.05 USD
Top Pick BART to Millbrae + Caltrain Express to San Jose
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

To reach Silicon Valley, take BART one stop to Millbrae Station (5 mins, $5.15) and transfer to Caltrain Southbound ($5.00–$8.25 USD) to reach Palo Alto (Stanford) in 35 mins or Downtown San Jose Diridon in 55 mins. An Uber or Lyft to Palo Alto costs ~$50–$70 USD, and to San Jose costs ~$75–$100 USD.

Silicon Valley stretches south from SFO along the San Francisco Peninsula through Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and San Jose. The historic Caltrain commuter rail line connects all key tech campuses.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
BART to Millbrae + Caltrain Commuter Rail Best Overall
45–65 min
$10.15 – $13.40 USD
$10.15 – $13.40 USD (~€9.40 – €12.40)
 Every 15–30 min Tech commuters, solo travelers, and students heading to Stanford / Palo Alto / San Jose See Boarding Steps ↓
Uber / Lyft / Airport Taxi Door-to-Door
35–60 min
$50 – $95 USD
$50 – $95 USD (~€46 – €88)
 On demand Direct corporate travel to hotel or tech company campuses See Boarding Steps ↓

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

BART to Millbrae + Caltrain Commuter Rail

$10.15 – $13.40 USD $10.15 – $13.40 USD (~€9.40 – €12.40)
Travel time 45–65 min
Frequency Every 15–30 min
Operating hours 05:30 – 23:45
Where to buy tickets Tap contactless card at BART turnstiles and at Caltrain platform validators.
Main advantage: Affordable; avoids severe US-101 South traffic jams; comfortable commuter seating.
Keep in mind: Requires a brief 5-minute platform transfer at Millbrae Station.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Board BART from SFO station and ride 1 stop south to Millbrae Station (5 mins).
  2. Walk across the cross-platform concourse to the Caltrain platform.
  3. Tap your contactless card at the Caltrain reader on the platform.
  4. Board the Southbound train and exit at Palo Alto, Mountain View, or San Jose Diridon.
Option #2 Door-to-Door

Uber / Lyft / Airport Taxi

$50 – $95 USD $50 – $95 USD (~€46 – €88)
Travel time 35–60 min
Frequency On demand
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Uber/Lyft app on Level 5 garage.
Main advantage: Direct drop-off at tech campuses or hotels.
Keep in mind: Expensive; rush-hour traffic on highway 101 or 280.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Order ride via app from SFO Level 5 garage.
  2. Head directly south on US-101 or I-280 into Silicon Valley.
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber / Lyft & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber / Lyft pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get United States eSIM on Airalo →Compare United States Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at San Francisco (SFO) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check San Francisco Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

Tap contactless card for BART ($5.15), and tap your contactless card on Caltrain platform readers before boarding and after exiting ($5.00–$8.25 depending on zones).

Traveling with Suitcases

Caltrain features dedicated luggage car sections with bike/bag racks.

Arriving After Midnight

Last Caltrain departs Millbrae around 23:45. Late-night travelers should use Uber/Lyft.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Forgetting to tap your contactless card off at your destination Caltrain platform reader, which results in the maximum zone charge.
  • You do not need to purchase a physical plastic Clipper transit card from vending machines: simply add a digital Clipper card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone, or tap your contactless credit card at the BART station fare gates to board immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How far is SFO from San Jose?

SFO is 55 km (34 miles) north of downtown San Jose, taking 40–60 minutes by car or Caltrain.

Other Popular Destinations from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)