How to Get to Monterey, CA | Fly Close Or Drive The Coast

Monterey is easiest by flying into MRY, landing at SJC for more flights, or driving Highway 1 from the Bay Area.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The real answer to how to get to Monterey, CA depends on where you start: fly into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) if the route works, use San Jose International Airport (SJC) for a larger flight menu, or drive in from the Bay Area on US-101 and CA-1.

Monterey has no downtown passenger train station, and long-distance public transit usually funnels through Salinas or San Jose. The easiest plan is to pick your arrival point first, then decide whether you need a rental car for Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Big Sur, or 17-Mile Drive.

Getting To Monterey: Every Practical Route Compared

Monterey works as a fly-close or drive-in destination because the city has a small airport, no central train station, and strong road access from the Bay Area. The table below shows the routes most travelers should compare before buying anything.

Which Airport Should You Use For Monterey?

Monterey Regional Airport is the closest airport, while San Jose International Airport is usually the better backup when price or flight choice matters. San Francisco International Airport makes sense when you need international service or find a fare gap large enough to offset the longer ground transfer.

MRY is small and close: Monterey Regional Airport says the airport sits 3.5 miles east of downtown, near Highways 68 and 1. Its Monterey Regional Airport destinations page lists current nonstop cities, so check the route list before assuming your home airport has a direct flight.

SJC is the practical Bay Area choice for many domestic travelers because the drive is shorter than SFO on a normal day. SFO still wins for some long-haul flights, but Bay Area traffic can turn a neat plan into a slow final leg.

Compare fares to MRY, SJC, and SFO before you choose your arrival airport:

Getting To Monterey By Shuttle, Train, Or Bus

Airport shuttle is the easiest car-free route into Monterey from SJC or SFO, while train travel usually means reaching Salinas first. Public bus works, but it rewards travelers who pack light and leave room in the schedule.

Groome Transportation, formerly Monterey Airbus, runs scheduled Monterey Shuttle service to and from SJC and SFO, with a downtown Monterey stop at Calle Principal. The shuttle is often simpler than renting a car if you are staying near Cannery Row, downtown Monterey, or the waterfront and only plan one or two short taxi rides.

Amtrak lists Monterey Transit Plaza as a curbside bus stop, not a full rail station. Most rail travelers connect through Salinas from the Coast Starlight, then use Amtrak Thruway service or Monterey-Salinas Transit into Monterey.

MST Line 20 links Salinas and Monterey with a low regular fare, but the ride is slower than driving and schedules can thin outside core travel hours. Check the current timetable on the day you travel, especially if a missed connection would strand you late at night.

Driving To Monterey From San Francisco, San Jose, Or Los Angeles

Driving gives you the most control once you reach Monterey County, especially if your trip includes Carmel, Pebble Beach, wine tasting, or Big Sur. The trade is traffic: Friday afternoons, holiday Mondays, and summer weekends can add real time on US-101 and CA-1.

From San Francisco, the usual route is US-101 south toward the Monterey Peninsula, then CA-156 and CA-1 into Monterey. From San Jose, drivers often take US-101 south to CA-156 west, then CA-1 south. From Los Angeles, US-101 is the steadier inland route; Highway 1 is slower and more scenic, with road conditions that can change after storms.

Highway 1 near Big Sur is famous for slides and repair work, so check Caltrans road status before building a same-day coastal drive from Southern California. If Highway 1 has delays, US-101 through Salinas is the safer planning route into Monterey.

If you are flying into SJC or SFO and want Big Sur, Carmel Valley, or 17-Mile Drive, a rental car may save more hassle than shuttle-plus-rideshare combinations:

Where To Stay After You Arrive

Monterey is compact, but the right base changes how much you drive after arrival. Cannery Row is easiest for the aquarium and waterfront, downtown Monterey works well for restaurants and transit, and Del Monte Beach gives you easier sand access with a quieter feel.

Travelers without a car should stay near Cannery Row, downtown, or the waterfront trail. Travelers with a car can widen the search to Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, or Seaside if parking, price, or room size matters more than walking everywhere.

Use the map view to compare Monterey stays against Cannery Row, downtown, Del Monte Beach, and the airport:

Do You Need A Car In Monterey?

A car is useful in Monterey, but it is not required for every trip. Skip the car if you are flying into MRY, staying central, and focusing on Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Monterey Bay Aquarium area, and short rides around town.

Rent a car if your plans include Big Sur, Carmel Valley wineries, Point Lobos, 17-Mile Drive, or several stops in one day. Rideshare can cover short hops, but rural coastline service is not something to build a full day around.

Families and golfers usually do better with a car because bags, clubs, strollers, and beach gear make transfers awkward. Solo travelers on a short weekend can often fly into MRY, ride into town, and avoid parking fees altogether.

Pick The Route That Matches Your Trip

The right way to reach Monterey depends on whether you value speed, price, or freedom after arrival. Pick the route below and your planning gets much simpler.

• Shortest arrival: fly into Monterey Regional Airport, then take a taxi or rideshare downtown.
• Most flight options: fly into San Jose International Airport, then use a shuttle or rental car.
• Car-free from the Bay Area: use Groome Monterey Shuttle from SJC or SFO, then stay near downtown or Cannery Row.
• Rail-friendly plan: take Amtrak to Salinas, then connect by Thruway bus or MST Line 20.
• Big Sur or Carmel add-on: rent a car and use US-101 when Highway 1 conditions are uncertain.
• Los Angeles road trip: use US-101 for the efficient route and save Highway 1 for daylight coastal stops when conditions are clear.

For most visitors, the easiest answer is MRY if the fare is fair, SJC if you need more flight choices, and a rental car if Monterey is only the first stop on a wider Central Coast trip.