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Transportation

What is the best transportation to take from the San Francisco Airport to Mountain View, CA.

We don't want to rent a car. Thanks

Traveling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mountain View without a rental car is quite feasible with several options, depending on your priorities for cost, convenience, and travel time.

Here are the main options:

  • Caltrain via BART: Take the AirTrain from your terminal to the BART station at SFO. From there, ride BART south to Millbrae Station. At Millbrae, transfer to the Caltrain southbound line toward San Jose and get off at Mountain View Station. This is economical and fairly straightforward but can take about 1.5–2 hours depending on transfers.
  • Airport Shuttle Services: Shared ride shuttles like SuperShuttle (if available) or other local shuttle companies can take you directly from SFO to Mountain View. These are more convenient with luggage and door-to-door service, but will be more expensive than public transit and travel time can vary depending on other passengers.
  • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Taking a rideshare directly from SFO to Mountain View is the fastest and most convenient door-to-door option. Travel time is typically around 35–50 minutes depending on traffic. Prices vary but are generally higher than public transport.
  • Private Car Service: You can pre-book a private car or town car service for a guaranteed pickup and direct route. This is the most comfortable and predictable option, but also the most expensive.

Tips and considerations:

  • If you are traveling light and want to save money, the BART + Caltrain combination is ideal.
  • For convenience with luggage, especially during peak hours or if you have multiple travelers, rideshare or shuttle services are better options.
  • Check BART and Caltrain schedules in advance to minimize wait times, especially if your flight arrives late at night or early morning.
  • Keep in mind that traffic on US-101 and I-280 can affect travel times for rideshare or private car services during rush hours.

Overall, the choice depends on whether your priority is cost or convenience. For a balance, the Caltrain via BART route is reliable and reasonably straightforward.

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