There are multiple ways to get around without a car or license, but not many students utilize those resources. Ubering to San Francisco is approximately $70 (been there, done that!) and if you were to drive there, you would be greeted with traffic, confusing streets, and expensive parking spaces. Using public transportation like busses and trains are much cheaper and can be more convenient, yet not a lot of students know how they work or even bother to try using them to go out.
The first time we took a train to San Francisco was frightening, but it became a surprisingly easy process to follow once we understood how to follow the Caltrain schedule. It consisted of having prior understanding on which train station to use, what type of tickets to purchase, and most importantly, keeping track of train departure times. Here is what you should know about the Caltrain operations.
The first time we took a train to San Francisco was frightening, but it became a surprisingly easy process to follow once we understood how to follow the Caltrain schedule. It consisted of having prior understanding on which train station to use, what type of tickets to purchase, and most importantly, keeping track of train departure times. Here is what you should know about the Caltrain operations.
Tickets
Train fares are determined by how many zones you are traveling through. The Caltrain stations are all distributed in 6 zones, stretching from Gilroy to San Francisco. The San Jose Diridon station was in Zone 4 and we travelled all the way to San Francisco, which was in Zone 1. It should be noted that we bought our tickets on a Saturday, which may differ from weekdays. We got a youth discounted one-day pass from Zone 4 to Zone 1, totaling $10.50 per person. Keep in mind that if you fall under the eligible discount category (being a minor), take advantage of their price cut! Make sure to bring identification in order for them to verify your discount.
Experience
The environment was sanitary, included a restroom, and offered disabled and elderly seating. When we sat down, the windows next to us were large enough for us to view the passing landscapes we never got to see before. The seats were comfortable and spacious for passengers who may want their own space in a public transit.
Other passengers were polite and we didn’t experience any disruptions throughout our train ride. We could tell that we were surrounded by diverse people, such as those who dressed up for a Renaissance festival in San Francisco and other students who were travelling just like us. The volume level was medium, so we didn’t mind hearing murmuring conversations around us.
The train began to get crowded with all the passengers at the station getting on. But the spacious seating managed to alleviate this problem. The ride to San Francisco took around an hour, but on the way back to San Jose, the ride length was a bit longer than expected by a couple minutes.
Other passengers were polite and we didn’t experience any disruptions throughout our train ride. We could tell that we were surrounded by diverse people, such as those who dressed up for a Renaissance festival in San Francisco and other students who were travelling just like us. The volume level was medium, so we didn’t mind hearing murmuring conversations around us.
The train began to get crowded with all the passengers at the station getting on. But the spacious seating managed to alleviate this problem. The ride to San Francisco took around an hour, but on the way back to San Jose, the ride length was a bit longer than expected by a couple minutes.
Accessibility
The San Jose Diridon Station is in Downtown San Jose. You can reach the station by either bussing, ubering, or driving, but the driving distance to San Francisco is a lot longer. Driving around the city’s confusing streets and traffic is a more stressful option. Plus, finding and paying for parking can add up to way more time and money wasted. Paying $10.50 for an all-day Caltrain pass is definitely more worth it. We highly recommend you to take the time to transit to and walk around a city to immerse yourself in a better experience. You just might find the best local spots.
Have fun adventuring! Stay safe and if you ever get lost, pull up Google Maps.
For more information or to plan a trip with the caltrain, visit www.caltrain.com.
For more information or to plan a trip with the caltrain, visit www.caltrain.com.