If you are a non-local participant, you will probably be flying into either the San Jose Airport or the San Francisco Airport. There are a number of options for getting from the airports to Stanford University.
(In general, shuttles are available at both San Francisco and San Jose Airports without reservations, with signs leading you to the shuttle pickup areas from baggage claim. Shuttles are invariably less expensive than taxis, ranging around $20-$28 to Stanford from either airport, but you may have to wait while 2-3 other passengers are collected and taken to their destinations.)
One-way, door-to-door service for $22 ($10 each additional person) to and from any airport terminal at San Francisco OR San Jose Airports. Pick up at San Francsico is upstairs on departure level at blue/yellow sign; reservations required, with a $10 service charge after 11:30pm. Pick up at San Jose Airport is outside backage claim.
One-way, door-to-door service for $22 ($10 each additional person) to and from San Francsico Airport terminals 1 and 3. Pick up is upstairs on departure level at the red sign. Reservations recommended. They do not have service from San Jose Airport.
One-way service for $26 ($8 each additional person) to and from San Francisco Airport. Pick up is upstairs on departure level at marked locations. The service runs 24 hours a day, with reservation required only on return trips. Limited to three stop maximum per shuttle trip. Charters to/from San Jose Airport for up to seven passengers (with reservation required) are available for about $80.
About $50 from San Francsico Airport to Stanford University and about $40 from San Jose Airport. Pick up in the airport arrival areas outside of baggage claim. From Stanford, you must call and give your name, airline, flight number, and departure time.
CalTrain is the Bay Area commuter train, running regularly all day on weekdays between every 20 minutes and every hour, depending on time of day. CalTrain does not run on the weekends, though there is a VTA bus service instead.
From the San Francisco Airport: Take the SFO CalTrain shuttle to Millbrae station, and then CalTrain to the California Avenue Station in Palo Alto. Cost is $3.75.
From the San Jose Airport: Take the Airport Flyer to the Santa Clara CalTrain station. The fare from the Santa Clara station to the California Avenue station is $2.25.
The Hotel California is two blocks up California Avenue from the train station, at the intersection with Ash. To reach the Stanford Terrace Inn, walk four blocks up California Avenue to El Camino Real, turn right and walk three blocks to Stanford Avenue. Turn left and the Stanford Terrace Inn will be on your left.
Car rental services are available at the San Francisco and San Jose Airports and at several locations in Palo Alto.
From either airport call In Palo Alto call Avis (800) 831-2847 (650) 493-8888 Budget (800) 527-0700 (650) 493-6000 Hertz (800) 654-3131 (650) 493-2009
Driving on US 101
Take 101 south from San Francisco Airport or north from San Jose Airport. Exit at Oregon Expressway/Embarcadero Rd (follow the Oregon Expressway sign; don't get on Embarcadero Road). Stay on Oregon Expressway for 2 1/2 miles and turn right onto El Camino Real. To reach the Hotel California, turn right on California Avenue and proceed about three blocks; the hotel is on the right at the intersection with Ash. To reach the Stanford Terrace Inn, pass California Avenue and continue on El Camino Real several blocks further to Stanford Avenue. Turn left onto Stanford Avenue and the Stanford Terrace Inn will be on your left immediately after you turn.
Driving on Interstate 280
(Note: 280 is not recommended from San Jose Airport, simply because it is a longer route than US 101). Take 280 south from San Francisco Airport or north from San Jose. Take the Page Mill Road exit (not Sand Hill Road). Turn left onto El Camino Real. To reach the Hotel California, turn right on California Avenue and proceed about three blocks; the hotel is on the right at the intersection with Ash. To reach the Stanford Terrace Inn, pass California Avenue and continue on El Camino Real several blocks further to Stanford Avenue. Turn left onto Stanford Avenue and the Stanford Terrace Inn will be on your left immediately after you turn.
Marguerite, Stanford's campus shuttle service, provides free and frequent shuttles around campus and the neighboring cities.
Stanford Maps and Directions