Sunnyvale is located at the crossroads of four of the South Bay’s major freeways and expressways. The SR 85, US 101, SR 237, and I-280 freeways run through the city. A segment of State Route 82 runs through the center of the city, following the path of historic El Camino Real.
Sunnyvale is served by two public transit systems: the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (both light rail and buses) and the Caltrain commuter rail.
Sunnyvale has been listed by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle-Friendly Community at the bronze level, having multiple on-street and off-street bike lanes, bicycle-activated traffic signals, and bicycle accommodations on both VTA and Caltrain. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee advises the city council on the continued development of the bicycle plan for the city.
Traveling by Air to Sunnyvale
For commercial passenger air travel, Sunnyvale is well served by three nearby international airports. The closest, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is a 9.5-mile drive from downtown Sunnyvale by car. It is also accessible by Caltrain, VTA light rail and VTA bus (with both the Caltrain and Light Rail stations requiring transfer to a free shuttle bus to get to the airport terminal). The next closest is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is 27.7 miles by car. SFO is also transit accessible via Caltrain and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), is 37.5 miles by car. Access to Oakland airport by public transit is possible via multiple transfers.
Airports
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
The airport is located in San Jose near the intersection of U.S, 101, I-880 and Highway 87, approximately nine miles from Sunnyvale. The San Jose International Airport is most convenient if you are flying into the area.
(408) 277-4759
The free Airport Flyer bus #10 at the airport connects to Santa Clara Transit Station, from where you can catch either VTA bus #22 or Caltrain to Sunnyvale. The #22 bus line has many stops in Sunnyvale along El Camino Real, from Lawrence Expressway in the east to Bernardo Avenue in the west. Caltrain stops in Sunnyvale at both the Lawrence station as well as downtown Sunnyvale.
Taxi fare from San Jose Airport to Sunnyvale is approximately $27-30.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SFO is 15 miles south of downtown San Francisco, off Highway 101 and approximately 30 miles from Sunnyvale.
(650) 821-8211
CalTrain's Sunnyvale station is next to old downtown, on Evelyn Avenue just west of Murphy Street. Caltrain has a transfer point to BART at the Millbrae Station. BART will take you to San Francisco International Airport.
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Sunnyvale Caltrain Station, 121 W. Evelyn Avenue, 1-800-660-4287. Caltrain connects San Jose with San Francisco, passing through Sunnyvale.
Oakland International Airport (OAK )
Oakland International Airport is located 10 miles south of downtown Oakland of I-880, approximately 38 miles from Sunnyvale.
(510) 577-4000
Check 511.org to plan your Bay Area trip by public transit.
Bus and Light Rail Service
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
Valley Transportation Authority serves San Jose and Santa Clara Valley with 69 bus routes and a light-rail system. Service extends northwest to Menlo Park, northeast to Fremont Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station, southwest to Saratoga and southeast to Gilroy. In conjunction with Metro (Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District), VTA also operates the Highway 17 Express Bus from downtown San José to Santa Cruz, with one stop in Scotts Valley. A free shuttle, the VTA/SJC Airport Flyer (VTA Line 10), connects the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport with the Santa Clara Caltrain and San José Metro Light Rail stations.
(408) 321-2300, (800) 894-9908,
TDD (408) 321-2330
Outreach
Outreach provides door-to-door paratransit service for seniors and disabled riders in Santa Clara County.
(408) 436-2865
Trains
Caltrain
Caltrain provides commuter train service between San Francisco, San Jose and Gilroy.
(800) 660-4287, TDD (650) 508-6448
Amtrak
Provides nationwide train service. The closest station to Sunnyvale is in Santa Clara near Great America Parkway.
(800) USA-RAIL
