Transportation

Question

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

Answer

Traveling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mountain View without renting a car is very doable, and there are a few convenient options depending on your preference for speed, cost, and comfort.

Option 1 – Caltrain via BART

Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from SFO Airport (Millbrae station) northbound to Millbrae station if not already there from the airport connector.
From Millbrae station, transfer to Caltrain southbound toward San Jose Diridon.
Get off at Mountain View station. Total travel time is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes depending on train timing.
Pros: Affordable, predictable schedule, no traffic concerns.
Cons: You need to manage luggage on transfers, some walking between BART and Caltrain at Millbrae.

Option 2 – Shuttle / Private Ride Services (Uber/Lyft)

Use an Uber, Lyft, or local shuttle directly from SFO to Mountain View. Expect the trip to take 30–45 minutes under normal traffic.
Pros: Door-to-door service, convenient if traveling with lots of luggage or children.
Cons: More expensive than public transit, traffic can affect travel time, especially during morning/evening rush hours.

Option 3 – SamTrans + Caltrain

Take the SamTrans Route 292 (or 397 Limited) from SFO to Millbrae BART/Caltrain station.
Then transfer to Caltrain southbound to Mountain View.
Pros: Cheaper than rideshare, flexible timing.
Cons: Longer trip (~1 hour 40–2 hours) and requires a transfer.

Tips:

Check the Caltrain and BART schedules ahead of time as weekend and holiday service can be reduced.
If traveling with a lot of luggage or in a group, rideshare may be more convenient despite the higher cost.
Mountain View station is centrally located and within walking distance or a short local ride to most accommodations in the city.

Overall, Caltrain via Millbrae is the most economical and reliable public transit option, while rideshare offers the most convenience and speed.