Transportation from San Francisco to Monterey

[Mazzy]

We are visiting California in Summer. We won't be driving, we are from the UK and have never driven in the US and neither I nor DH feel as though we want to tackle it. So, I am looking for a transportation company who can provide transport in a van or similar (we are 4 adults and 5 large cases) from our hotel at Fishermans Wharf to our hotel in Monterey.

I just got one quote in of $650!!!!! I'm sure I can find something cheaper than that, so thought I'd see if any DISSERS had any info regarding limo/transportation companies in the area. This firm quoted the trip as 3 hours long, is that correct? We just want to get from A to B, it's not a scenic drive.

I have looked at flights from SF to Monterey, but they are $350 each, so that's way out of budget.

 

[honeymom]

While it is only a 3 hour drive, they do have to return the car to the location that it came from. So from their perspective, it is a 6 hour drive. Plus, they will be charging you for gas. I'm thinking that their quote may not be out of whack for a private company.

Call your hotel and ask if there is a bus service to Monterey. I think their might be. That would probably be cheaper.

 

[Mazzy]

honeymom - thanks for your reply. Yes there is a shuttle bus service which goes from SF airport - I did think about taking a taxi to the airport and doing that, but it then stops at San Jose airport as well - which makes it a really long journey.

Thanks for the tip, I will try ringing the hotel see if they can help.

 

[nymets]

We were just in SF durning the fall rented a car from our hotel drove to Monterey about 2-3 hours. Also drove to Hearst Castle about 2 hrs from Monterey Drop Car off at airport I believe the car rental about $300 Hotel got us the cheapest price Do the drive down highway 1 nice scenery along the ocean Big Sur

 

[honeymom]

Okay - I googled and got one solution that seems reasonable. You can take Amtrak (the train). They have a bus that goes from the Fisherman's Wharf area in SF to the station in Oakland. From there, you take the train to Salinas. Then they have another bus that runs to a few locations in Monterey. It looks like it is $22 per person.

 

[Mazzy]

Honeymom - thanks so much for taking the time to check out the train. Unfortunately this route would take 5 hours which is a lot longer than we wished to spend travelling, as we have only 2 nights in Monterey. Thanks anyway for trying to help.

 

[birkner]

We are visiting California in Summer. We won't be driving, we are from the UK and have never driven in the US and neither I nor DH feel as though we want to tackle it. So, I am looking for a transportation company who can provide transport in a van or similar (we are 4 adults and 5 large cases) from our hotel at Fishermans Wharf to our hotel in Monterey.

I just got one quote in of $650!!!!! I'm sure I can find something cheaper than that, so thought I'd see if any DISSERS had any info regarding limo/transportation companies in the area. This firm quoted the trip as 3 hours long, is that correct? We just want to get from A to B, it's not a scenic drive.

I have looked at flights from SF to Monterey, but they are $350 each, so that's way out of budget.

Check this link, looks like may be only $40 per person:

http://www.montereyairbus.com/

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks birkner, for the link. We have had a quotefor $300 dollars for a limo transfer so I think we will book that, thanks anyway, for taking the time to help.

 

[birkner]

Thanks birkner, for the link. We have had a quotefor $300 dollars for a limo transfer so I think we will book that, thanks anyway, for taking the time to help.

You are very welcome. Since I just see the Montery airport vans all the time at both San Jose and San Francisco, I thought they would be a good choice. Hope your limo service works just as well. If you have any more questions, please post and I will be happy to help!!

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks Birkner. I'm sure I will have more questions before we finally arrive in San Francisco in August, so your offer is appreciated.

 

[birkner]

Thanks Birkner. I'm sure I will have more questions before we finally arrive in San Francisco in August, so your offer is appreciated.

I know how valuable it is to have someone who lives in the country pass along their wisdom. I have family in the UK and when we visit, we depend on their expertise to get about. We don't drive in the UK either!! I am always afraid I will end up on the wrong side of the road and cause a traffic calamity!!

Any more questions, please ask away!!

 

[Mazzy]

LOL Birkner - that is exactly how we feel about driving in the US - I think DH andI are a traffic calamity just waiting to happen!

The UK must seem so tiny when you come over, I know that every time we are coming home from the airport after our visits to WDW, the roads seem so small, and that's just after a short trip so I can't imagine how they must seem to someone who actually lives in the US and is used to so much space and such wide roads.