Public transportation is available through a variety of systems described in detail, with links to other sites, through www.transitinfo.org.
Caltrain
Caltrain is a commuter train that runs along the Peninsula from Gilroy to San Francisco. In particular, Caltrain offers service from the San Francisco airport/area and from the San Jose airport/area to the Stanford campus. Caltrain deposits passengers at the Palo Alto/University station, from which they may use Stanford’s Marguerite shuttle to reach on-campus destinations. The Marguerite Campus Shuttle also meets trains at the Menlo Park and California Street stations.
There is a free shuttle service from the Millbrae train station to San Francisco International Airport. In addition, county bus lines connect with Caltrain at the local stations. San Francisco MUNI provides easy access to downtown San Francisco from the 4th and King station, located across the street from the Caltrain depot. For more information on fares and schedules, call 800 660.4287 or visit the Caltrain website at www.caltrain.com.
Dumbarton Express
The Dumbarton Express runs weekdays from the Union City BART station across its namesake, the Dumbarton Bridge, to the Palo Alto/University Caltrain station. The Dumbarton Express provides arguably the most direct and convenient service between Stanford and the southern part of the East Bay.
Marguerite Campus Shuttles
Stanford University operates a free shuttle service that circles the campus and goes to the train stations in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, downtown Palo Alto and Menlo Park, and the Stanford Shopping Center seven days a week. There is additional weekend service to the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View. The Marguerite Campus Shuttle also provides service between the Palo Alto/University Avenue Caltrain station and campus. The B-line shuttle, “clockwise,” takes passengers from the train station to the Law School; the B-line shuttle, “counter-clockwise,” returns passengers to the train station. For more information, call 650 723.9362 or visit transportation.stanford.edu for schedules and route maps.
SamTrans
The bus system for San Mateo County is known as SAMTRANS. It offers routes from Palo Alto to downtown San Francisco, San Francisco International Airport, and the Hayward BART station. For more information, call 800 660.4BUS or visit www.samtrans.com.
San Francisco MUNI
MUNI provides bus and metro train service around San Francisco. The 4th and King MUNI station provides easy access to downtown San Francisco and is located across the street from the Caltrain depot. Some buses run 24 hours a day. For more information, call 415 673.MUNI or visit www.sfmuni.com.