There are 4 ways to get from Palo Alto to San Mateo by train, bus, taxi, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Caltrain
best- Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to San Mateo Caltrain Northboundtrain Local Weekday / ...
25 min$5–7Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 to El Camino Real & E 5th Avebus Ecr / ...
52 min$3Taxi
- Take the taxi from Palo Alto to San Mateotaxi 14.7 mi
19 min$55–70Drive 14.7 mi
- Drive from Palo Alto to San Mateocar 14.7 mi
19 min$3–4
Palo Alto to San Mateo by train
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Palo Alto to San Mateo is to bus which costs $3 and takes 52 min.
The fastest way to get from Palo Alto to San Mateo is to taxi which takes 19 min and costs $55 - $70.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 and arriving at El Camino Real & E 5th Ave. Services depart every 15 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 52 min.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound and arriving at San Mateo Caltrain Northbound. Services depart every 30 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 25 min.
The distance between Palo Alto and San Mateo is 14 miles. The road distance is 14.7 miles.
The best way to get from Palo Alto to San Mateo without a car is to Caltrain which takes 25 min and costs $5 - $7.
The Caltrain from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to San Mateo Caltrain Northbound takes 25 min including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.
Palo Alto to San Mateo bus services, operated by SamTrans, depart from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 station.
Palo Alto to San Mateo train services, operated by Caltrain, depart from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound station.
The best way to get from Palo Alto to San Mateo is to Caltrain which takes 25 min and costs $5 - $7. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $3 and takes 52 min.
What companies run services between Palo Alto, CA, USA and San Mateo, CA, USA?
Caltrain operates a train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to San Mateo Caltrain Northbound every 30 minutes. Tickets cost $5–7 and the journey takes 25 min. Alternatively, SamTrans operates a bus from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 to El Camino Real & E 5th Ave every 15 minutes. Tickets cost $3 and the journey takes 52 min.
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to San Mateo Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 25 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $5–7
- Phone
- 1-800-660-4287
- customerservice@samtrans.com
- Website
- SamTrans Homepage
Bus from Palo Alto Transit Ctr-Bay 9 to El Camino Real & E 5th Ave
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $3
- Website
- SamTrans Homepage
- Schedules at
- SamTrans Schedules
- Single Fare
- $3
- Ave. Duration
- 19 min
- Estimated price
- $55–70
AJ Taxi Services
- Phone
- +1 408-759-9654
- Website
- ajtaxiservices.com
Taxi San Jose
- Phone
- +1 408-459-8010
- Website
- taxisanjose.com
Yellow Checker Cab
- Phone
- +1 408-777-7777
- Website
- yellowcheckercab.com
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Booking & Getting There
Palo Alto to San Mateo bus services, operated by SamTrans, arrive at El Camino Real & E 5th Ave station.
Palo Alto to San Mateo train services, operated by Caltrain, arrive at San Mateo Caltrain Northbound station.
Yes, the driving distance between Palo Alto to San Mateo is 15 miles. It takes approximately 19 min to drive from Palo Alto to San Mateo.
There are 454+ hotels available in San Mateo.