GETTING AROUND
Santa Clara County
A Visitor’s Guide to Exploring Silicon Valley
Welcome to Silicon Valley! Santa Clara County stretches from Palo Alto in the north down to Gilroy in the south, covering San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, Los Gatos and more. Distances are larger than they look, so a little planning goes a long way. This guide walks you through every realistic way to get around, what it costs, and the best option for common trips.
At a Glance
Fares are approximate as of 2026 and change over time — check each provider before you travel.
Arriving in the Area
From the airports
San Jose (SJC) — the closest and easiest airport, just minutes from downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. Rideshare and rental counters are on site. The free VTA Route 60 / Airport Flyer connects SJC to the Metro/Airport light rail station and the Santa Clara Caltrain station.
San Francisco (SFO) — about 35–50 minutes north. Take BART or a rideshare, or connect to Caltrain at Millbrae for a one-seat ride down the Peninsula into Silicon Valley.
Oakland (OAK) — about an hour northeast; BART connects via the Coliseum station. Often the cheapest flights.
Getting to your hotel
Rideshare and taxis are available curbside at all three airports.
If you land at SJC and your hotel is in San Jose, Santa Clara or Sunnyvale, a rideshare is usually under 20 minutes.
Renting a car? Pick it up at the airport to avoid a second trip back.
Public Transit (VTA, Caltrain & BART)
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) runs the local buses and light rail across the county. Caltrain runs north–south along the Peninsula, and BART connects the East Bay. One Clipper card (physical or in your phone’s wallet) works on all of them — it’s the single best thing a visitor can set up on day one.
VTA light rail
- Three lines (Blue, Green, Orange) covering roughly 42 miles, connecting downtown San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Milpitas and the Great Mall.
- Best for car-free trips between downtown San Jose, the convention area and tech corridors.
- Fare: about $2.50 for a single ride or $7.50 for an unlimited day pass.
VTA buses
- A large network of local and rapid routes reaching most cities in the county, including the free Route 60 Airport Flyer at SJC.
- Rapid routes (numbered in the 500s) are faster, limited-stop services on major corridors.
Caltrain
- Electric commuter rail running from San Francisco down through the Peninsula to San Jose and Gilroy.
- The go-to choice for day trips to San Francisco, Palo Alto, Mountain View or Stanford without driving.
- Fare: distance-based, roughly $3.75 to $15 depending on how many zones you cross.
BART
- Heavy rail linking the wider Bay Area. Within the county it currently reaches the Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose stations, where it connects to VTA light rail and buses.
- An extension deeper into downtown San Jose and Santa Clara is under construction but not yet open, so for now use VTA or Caltrain for trips within the county core.
- Great for reaching Oakland, Berkeley and the East Bay.
Using Clipper
- One card, every system. Add Clipper to your phone’s wallet or buy a card at any station, then tag on (and tag off for Caltrain/BART) each ride. It automatically charges the correct fare.
- Plan trips with one app. The Transit app or 511.org shows real-time schedules and combined routes across VTA, Caltrain and BART.
Rideshare, Taxis & Car Rental
Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)
- Widely available across the county and usually the simplest option for visitors, especially at night or when transit is sparse.
- Expect roughly $15–$45 for most trips between cities; airport pickups have designated zones.
Renting a car
- Worth it if you plan to explore beyond the transit corridors — Santa Cruz beaches, the coast, wine country in Los Gatos and Saratoga, or south county.
- Parking is generally easy and often free outside dense downtown San Jose; downtown garages are inexpensive by big-city standards.
- Cost: about $45–$90 per day plus gas, with airport pickup the most convenient.
Bikes & scooters
- Shared e-bikes and scooters are common in downtown San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View and around university campuses.
- Ideal for short, sunny hops; the valley is flat and very bike-friendly with extensive trails like the Guadalupe River and Los Gatos Creek paths.
Best Way to Get There
Tips for Visitors
- Set up Clipper first. It works on VTA, Caltrain and BART, so you never have to fumble for tickets.
- Download one trip app. The Transit app or 511.org combines schedules across all the agencies and shows live arrivals.
- Mind rush hour. Highways 101, 280, 880 and 237 back up badly from about 7–9 a.m. and 4–6:30 p.m. Trains skip the traffic.
- Distances are deceptive. “Nearby” cities can be 30–45 minutes apart. Group your plans by area to save time.
- It’s flat and sunny. Walking and biking are pleasant most of the year — pack comfortable shoes and sunscreen.
- Late nights. Transit thins out after about 11 p.m.; rideshare is the reliable late-night option.
Quick reference
- VTA (buses & light rail): vta.org
- Caltrain: caltrain.com
- BART: bart.gov
- Trip planning & Clipper: 511.org
Enjoy your visit to Silicon Valley.