Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Jose to Costa Ricaby plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, train, shuttle, subway, or bus

Find Transport to Costa Rica

See all options
QR code to download the Rome2Rio app

Download the Rome2Rio travel app

Scan QR code with your phone to download the app

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

There are 7 ways to get from San Jose to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, train, shuttle, subway, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SJC - SJO
    10h 31m
    $172–702

  2. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SFO - SJO
    9h 54m
    $156–570

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus bus
    4d 22h
    $423–531

  4. Drive  5,872.6 km

    1. Drive from San Jose to San Josécar car 5,872.6 km
    2d 23h
    $941–1,359

  5. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SFO - LIR
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    12h 44m
    $530–1,499

  6. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane OAK - SJO
    11h 41m
    $169–662

  7. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Salvadorbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    5d
    $586–833

Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar29Weekly Planes
Duration11h 14mAverage Duration
Ticket$177Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from San Jose to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,852 km
  • Duration: 10h 31m

What companies run services between San Jose, CA, USA and Costa Rica?

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and three other airlines fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Terminal NicaBus via Los Angeles Union Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, and Managua in around 4d 22h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Costa Rica

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There