Caltrain fares
The Caltrain system is divided into six fare zones and fares are determined by the number of zones traveled.
Use the planner below to determine your one way fare:
Contents
Ticket types
All ticket types can be purchased at the ticket machines at all Caltrain stations, or in person at 4th & King Station and San Jose Diridon Station. Caltrain is a proof of payment System. No tickets are sold on-board. Passengers must have a valid ticket or pass to board the train.
All tickets are valid only within the zones indicated unless specified otherwise.
Ticket types | Validation period | Notes |
---|---|---|
One way | 4 hours after purchase for one way travel | Cannot be purchased in advance. Stop-overs are permitted. |
Day pass | Unlimited rides on the day of purchase | Cannot be purchased in advance. |
8-Ride | This replaces the 10-ride tickets. Tickets must be validated for each ride (using validators at stations) before boarding. Good for 4 hours after validation. | Can also be used by a group of riders traveling together. Just validate each time for each rider. Ticket expires in 60 days. |
Monthly Pass | Unlimited travel for the entire month. Pass is good for unlimited travel in all fare zones on weekends and holidays. | Expires at noon on the first (non-holiday) weekday of the following month. |
Zone upgrade
If you want travel to a station that your ticket or pass doesn't cover, you can purchase a "zone upgrade" to use along with a valid Caltrain ticket or pass. Each zone upgrade is good for four hours as long as your original ticket or pass is still valid.
Eligible discount
One way, day pass, 10-ride ticket and monthly pass are available at a 50% discount (eligible discount) for riders who are under 18, 65 or above, disabled, or have a Medicare card.
Fare chart
Map of Caltrain system with fare zones
Full fare | Eligible discount | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zones traveled | One Way | Day Pass | 8-ride | 10-ride | Monthly Pass | Upgrade | One Way | Day Pass | 8-ride | 10-ride | Monthly Pass | Upgrade |
1 zone | $2.50 | $5.00 | $17.00 | $21.25 | $66.25 | $1.75 | $1.25 | $2.50 | $8.50 | $10.50 | $33.00 | $1.00 |
2 zones | $4.25 | $8.50 | $29.00 | $36.25 | $112.75 | $3.50 | $2.00 | $4.25 | $14.50 | $18.00 | $56.25 | $2.00 |
3 zones | $6.50 | $12.00 | $40.75 | $51.00 | $159.00 | $5.25 | $3.00 | $6.00 | $20.25 | $25.50 | $79.50 | $3.00 |
4 zones | $7.75 | $15.50 | $52.75 | $66.00 | $205.50 | $7.00 | $3.75 | $7.75 | $25.25 | $33.00 | $102.75 | $4.00 |
5 zones | $9.50 | $19.00 | $64.50 | $80.75 | $251.75 | $8.75 | $4.75 | $9.50 | $32.25 | $40.25 | $125.75 | $5.00 |
6 zones | $11.25 | $22.50 | $76.50 | $95.75 | $298.25 | $5.50 | $11.25 | $38.25 | $47.75 | $149.00 |
Translink
Caltrain fares can be paid with Translink. To ride Caltrain with Translink, tag the standalone reader located at the station before you board and tag again after you get off the train. Proper fare will be deducted on the second tag. If you forget to tag the second time, the maximum available fare will be deducted. Do not tag when you are transferring trains in the same direction. A minimum e-cash value of $1.25 is needed to ride Caltrain with Translink.
Train conductors will check the card with a reader to see whether the fare is paid.
Caltrain 8-ride and monthly pass are also available on Translink. Riders with 8-ride tickets need to tag for each boarding and exiting. Riders with monthly passes need to activate the pass by tagging the boarding and exiting on the first ride of the month.
Inter-agency fare arrangements
Caltrain monthly pass with 2 or more zones:
- Accepted as local fare credit on all SamTrans and VTA routes anywhere.
- Offers discounted day pass fare on Highway 17 Express ($3.50)
Caltrain monthly pass with 3 zones or more:
- Accepted on all Monterey-Salinas Transit routes.
Caltrain monthly pass holders can purchase a "Muni sticker" for unlimited rides on all Muni vehicles except cable cars.