Directions to Stanford

Driving to Campus  |  Public Transportation  |  From Local Airports  |  Maps

DRIVING TO CAMPUS:

From Highway 101 North & South:

Take the Embarcadero Road exit west toward Stanford. At El Camino Real, Embarcadero turns into Galvez Street as it enters the university. Stay in the left lane and continue toward the center of campus. There is metered parking in a lot on the right side Galvez Street, just past Memorial Way. A few hundred feet beyond this lot, Galvez ends at Serra Street, where there is more metered parking. The Visitor Information Center is in Memorial Hall, which is across from Hoover Tower on Serra Street. Please check parking signs carefully and note that most parking is monitored Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

From Highway 280 North & South:

Exit 280 at Sand Hill Road, heading east. Make a right turn on Santa Cruz Avenue, then a left turn onto Junipero Serra Boulevard. Turn left at the second stoplight, Campus Drive East. Continue around Campus Drive East and turn left when you reach Serra Street, at the gas station. Follow Serra Street until it ends at Galvez Street. Turn right onto Galvez and look for the first parking lot on your left, which has public, metered parking. The Visitor Information Center is in Memorial Hall, which is across from Hoover Tower on Serra Street. Please check parking signs carefully and note that most parking is monitored Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

From El Camino Real:

Exit El Camino Real at University Avenue. Turn toward the hills (away from the center of Palo Alto). As you enter Stanford, University Avenue becomes Palm Drive. Go through one traffic light, and turn left onto Campus Drive at the first stop sign. Turn right at Galvez Street, the next stop sign. There is metered parking in the lot between Memorial Hall and the Economics building. The Visitor Information Center is in Memorial Hall, which is across from Hoover Tower on Serra Street. Please check parking signs carefully and note that most parking is monitored Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

By train (Caltrain):

Caltrain is a commuter rail service that runs between Gilroy and San Francisco. There are two stops close to Stanford: one on California Avenue and another at the end of Palm Drive in downtown Palo Alto. More information

The Stanford shuttle, called Marguerite, meets most trains at both the Palo Alto and California Ave. stations from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m Monday - Friday.

From points south of Stanford (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority):

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) runs buses to Palo Alto and most points south of Stanford. It also operates the light rail line in Santa Clara County. More information

From points north of Stanford (SamTrans):

SamTrans runs buses to most points north of Stanford. Five of their lines serve Stanford well. More information

From the East Bay (Dumbarton Express):

The Dumbarton Express, used by many East Bay commuters, runs weekdays from the Union City BART station across the Dumbarton Bridge to the Palo Alto Caltrain station, where the Stanford shuttle, called Marguerite, meets most trains. More information

FROM LOCAL AIRPORTS

Stanford is roughly equidistant from San Jose and San Francisco airports. Sam Trans' Route KX might be the cheapest way to get to and from San Francisco International Airport. That bus stops in front of the Stanford Shopping Center on El Camino Real. The Stanford shuttle, called Marguerite, connects there. Caltrain and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) connect at the Millbrae station and for an additional fee, there are BART trains that run directly to the airport. More information about public transportation from the Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco airports is available through the Transit Info website.

A number of private companies also provide shuttle transportation from the San Francisco and San Jose airports, and taxis serve the Stanford campus from both locations.

For additional questions or trip planning assistance, please call the Bay Area Transit Information Hotline by dialing 511 from within the San Francisco Bay Area or (510) 817-1717 from outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

Stanford Parking & Transportation Services (P&TS) is also available if you need assistance planning your trip. They can talk you through the best route - from your front door to campus.  Contact the P&TS office at 723-9362, email at transportation@stanford.edu.  More information