Caltrain — Schedules, Fares & Stops

The Caltrain connects San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, US over a 77-mile route operated by Peninsula Corridor JPB, calling at 9 stations across 2 states.

Quick Facts

Operator: Peninsula Corridor JPB
Service type: Commuter Rail
Endpoints: San Jose ↔ Santa Clara
Distance: 77 mi
Frequency: Weekday peak baby-bullets and all-stops; weekend service
Stations: 9
States served: 2 (CA, US)
Typical fare range: $4 – $11

Route guide

The Caltrain is a commuter rail service operated by Peninsula Corridor JPB. Trains run Weekday peak baby-bullets and all-stops; weekend service over 77 miles of mainline track between San Jose Diridon and Santa Clara, calling at 9 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: San Francisco Bay glimpses south of San Mateo; Stanford foothills; downtown San Jose approach.

History & service notes

Caltrain electrified its main line in 2024, replacing diesel locomotives with Stadler KISS bi-level EMU trainsets — the largest public-transit project of its kind on the West Coast in a generation. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Caltrain includes stadler KISS EMU trainsets, gallery-style Bombardier bi-level cars on a small number of trips. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from San Jose to Santa Clara. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

From	To	Distance	Time	Fare
San Jose	San Francisco 4th King	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
San Francisco 4th King	Millbrae	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
Millbrae	San Mateo	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
San Mateo	Redwood City	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
Redwood City	Palo Alto	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
Palo Alto	Mountain View	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
Mountain View	Sunnyvale	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
Sunnyvale	Santa Clara	10 mi	22m	$8 – $13
San Francisco 4th King	Santa Clara	67 mi	1h 30m	$8 – $13
San Jose	Millbrae	19 mi	33m	$8 – $13
Millbrae	Santa Clara	58 mi	1h 20m	$8 – $13
San Jose	San Mateo	29 mi	45m	$8 – $13
San Mateo	Santa Clara	48 mi	1h 8m	$8 – $13
San Jose	Redwood City	39 mi	57m	$8 – $13
Redwood City	Santa Clara	39 mi	57m	$8 – $13
San Jose	Palo Alto	48 mi	1h 8m	$8 – $13
Palo Alto	Santa Clara	29 mi	45m	$8 – $13
San Jose	Mountain View	58 mi	1h 20m	$8 – $13

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From San Jose, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Santa Clara. The corridor passes through cities including San Jose, San Francisco 4th King, and Santa Clara, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.

Trip planning tip. The Caltrain's lowest fares typically appear when booked 14 days or more in advance, and on midweek departures. Same-day "walk-up" fares are usually closer to the upper end of the range shown. Saver and Value buckets sell out first.