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Transportation to and from Monterey

Getting to and from, as well as around, Monterey is traveling made easy. A small convenient airport is located in Monterey, just minutes from all major conference hotels and meeting facilities. In addition, two major international airports are located within driving distance in San Jose and San Francisco. Below are detailed transportation information and various links to give you what you need to know and get you where you need to go.

Arriving By Air

airlinerDirect air service links Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) with Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. American Airlines, Allegiant Air, United, and US Airways all have direct flights to Monterey Peninsula Airport.

San Jose International Airport is located approximately 65 miles north of Monterey. Allow 1.5 hours driving time from the Monterey Peninsula.

San Francisco International Airport is located approximately 100 miles north of Monterey. Allow 2.25 hours driving time from the Monterey Peninsula. Many connecting flights are available from SFO directly into Monterey.

The Monterey/Salinas Airbus provides airport shuttle service between Monterey, San Jose and San Francisco for $30 each way. Call 888-883-2871 or visit www.montereyairbus.com for schedule and reservations.

Private jet service is also available. Contact Million Air Monterey, the Monterey Jet Center or the Monterey Peninsula Airport for details.

Cab fare from the Monterey Peninsula Airport to downtown Monterey is $9. Fare to resorts in Carmel Valley is approximately $25.

Hotel shuttles provide complimentary service from the Monterey Airport to several area hotels. Call your hotel meeting contact to see if this can be arranged.

Car rental agencies at the airport include: Avis, National, Hertz, and Budget. Enterprise-Rent-A-Car is located nearby.

Limousine services are also available. Click here to view a listing of local limousine services.

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Arriving By Land

If you're planning on driving to Monterey, here are the various routes: land

From the north. There are three routes to take from the north (San Francisco).

  1. The fastest is 101 South to 156 West (near Prunedale) to Hwy 1 South.
  2. A second route travels a direct, yet partially windy road towards Santa Cruz, then south to Monterey. Take 280 South to 85 South (San Jose area) to 17 South (Santa Cruz) to Hwy 1 South. Travel another 40 miles to Monterey. Hwy 17 can also be reached from Hwy 101. Take 880 South (San Jose area) and it will become Hwy 17. Follow this until it intersects with Hwy 1. Continue 40 miles on to Monterey.

The longest, yet most scenic route is Hwy 1 all the way from San Francisco. Allow at least three hours for this journey.

From the south. There are two routes to Monterey from the south.

  1. The fastest is Hwy 101 North (to Salinas), then west on Hwy 68, approximately 25 miles to Hwy 1. Allow 6-7 hours from Los Angeles.
  2. The famous, scenic coastal route is California Highway 1 North which winds through Big Sur and into Carmel and Monterey. Allow 7-8 hours from Los Angeles.
  3. Once here, getting around is easy. The destinations of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel Valley are just minutes from one another, and the dramatic Big Sur coastal drive is only a short and extraordinary 45-minute drive away.
  4. Rental cars are available at the Monterey Airport (see above). wave
    Local bus transportation is inexpensive and easy to use. Visitors in the summer months can also take advantage of the free WAVE (Waterfront Area Visitor Express) buses which run continuously from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on a circular route between downtown Monterey and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, stopping at various attractions in between.

     

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Arriving By Rail

A trip by train is a more leisurely and scenic way to get to Monterey. AMTRAK's Coast Starlight train cruises through Salinas each day on its route between Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, California. There are packages to fit every budget and it's a great way to see the grandeur of the Central Coast at eye level. Free bus service is provided from Salinas to downtown Monterey, a 30-minute ride. And there's a Greyhound station in Salinas with connecting service to Monterey.

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Private Bus Charters & Tours

Several local vendors offer motorcoach/ground transportation and both public and private tours. Click on any of the categories listed below for further vendor information, or click here to visit our Tours and Itineraries page.

Ground Transportation
Tour Operators

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