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Directions

Getting to Campus

Many options for navigating the San Francisco Bay Area exist, including renting a car, taking a cab or shuttle, or taking public transportation.

Airports | Rental Cars | Taxicabs & Shuttles | Public Transportation | Driving Directions | Parking

Airports

The Stanford Campus is roughly equidistant from San Jose (SJC) and San Francisco Airports (SFO). Oakland Airport (OAK) is a third option and is also nearby.

Rental Cars

Renting a car is a convenient way to travel from the airport to the Stanford Campus and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Taxicabs and Airport Shuttles

Traveling from local airports to Stanford by taxicab can be expensive, and we do not recommend it. Cabs can easily be used for traveling to and from the Stanford campus within Palo Alto. A number of private companies also provide shuttle transportation from airports to the Stanford campus.

Fares from Airports to Stanford Campus
  • From San Jose Airport (SJC): Taxicab: ~$45. Airport shuttle: ~$29.
  • From San Francisco Airport (SFO): Taxicab: ~$90. Aiport shuttle: ~$25. Taxis that serve San Francisco Airport are San Francisco city taxis that often charge double rate to travel south to the Stanford campus.
  • From Oakland Airport (OAK): cost is prohibitively expensive as the airport is approximately 30 miles from campus.
Palo Alto Taxi Cab Companies
  • A-A Yellow Cab: 650.568.9966
  • AAA Yellow Cab: 650.361.1234
  • Stanford Yellow Cab: 650.321.3535
  • Yellow Cab USA: 650.839.1234
  • Yellow Checker Cab: 650.328.3322
Airport Shuttle Companies
  • South & East Bay Airport Shuttle: 1.800.548.4664
  • SuperShuttle: 1.800.BLUEVAN

Public Transportation

Local public transit options include bus, train, shuttles, and light rail. These services, which are individually run by a variety of public and university agencies, together provide a network of transportation services.

The local transit hub for bus and train services is the Palo Alto Station, located next to the main entrance to campus near the intersections of Palm Drive, University Avenue, and El Camino Real.

The Stanford Marguerite Shuttle, the University’s free red and white shuttle bus, operates with several routes. Some of these routes provide service from the Palo Alto Station to locations on campus.

If you are traveling from San Francisco or San Jose, the CalTrain is your most convenient option. A one-way trip from San Francisco takes approximately one hour and costs about $4.25; a one-way trip from San Jose takes approximately 40 minutes and costs about $3.00. The CalTrain also connects with stations and shuttles serving the San Francisco and San Jose International Airports.

For a basic set of directions for travelers using public transportation, click here.

Public transportation options include the following:

  • Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART): BART operates rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco and Oakland/East Bay directly from SFO. The SFO BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level (Level 3) of the International Terminal, on the Boarding Area G side of the terminal near the Berman Reflection Room. BART is also easily accessed from any terminal by riding SFO's AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop. There is no charge to board AirTrain. BART provides a direct connection to Caltrain at the Millbrae station.
  • Caltrain Commuter Rail: Caltrain provides rail service between San Francisco and San Jose. BART connects SFO to the Caltrain rail system at the Millbrae Station. Weekday express trains serve select stations during commute hours.
  • SamTrans Public Bus Service: SamTrans provides 24-hour service connecting SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Driving Directions to the Stanford Campus

From San Francisco Airport (SFO)

Allow 60 minutes travel time. Drive south on Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway). Take the Embarcadero Road West exit. Continue on Embarcadero Road for approximately two miles. When you cross El Camino Real, you enter the University campus; Embarcadero Road becomes Galvez Street. Stay in the left lane as the road forks to the right. At the stop sign, turn right onto Campus Drive. The entrance to the Galvez Field parking lot will be immediately on your right. Follow signs directing you to walk to the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

From San Jose Airport (SJC)

Allow 45 minutes travel time. Drive north on Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway) and exit at Embarcadero Road West. Follow the directions shown above. From Highway 280 North & South: Exit Sand Hill Road east toward Stanford. Continue east, turning right at the traffic light on Stock Farm Road. Turn left at the second stop sign onto Campus Drive West. Continue around Campus Drive West and cross Palm Drive; the road becomes Campus Drive East. The entrance to the Galvez Field parking lot will be on your left, immediately before you reach the stop sign at Galvez Street. Follow signs directing you to walk to the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

From El Camino Real, Heading South

Exit El Camino Real at University Avenue. Turn toward the hills (away from the center of Palo Alto). As you enter Stanford, University Avenue becomes Palm Drive. Go through one traffic light, and turn left onto Campus Drive at the first stop sign. The entrance to the Galvez Field parking lot will be on your left, immediately before you reach the stop sign at Galvez Street. Follow signs directing you to walk to the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

From El Camino Real, Heading North

Turn left at the intersection of El Camino and Galvez St./Embarcadero Road, by the football stadium. Keep to the left until you pass the fork. At the stop sign, turn right onto Campus Drive. The entrance to the Galvez Field parking lot will be immediately on your right. Follow signs directing you to walk to the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Parking on Stanford

Campus Parking at Galvez Field is free. If you park elsewhere, please check parking signs carefully and note that most parking is monitored Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.