Arriving & Departing By Air San Jose International Airport (SJC) (1661 Airport Blvd. off Hwy. 87, PHONE: 408/277-4759) is served by most major airlines. Flying time is roughly six hours from New York and four hours from Chicago.
Carriers
Alaska (PHONE: 800/426-0333). America West (PHONE: 800/235-9292). American (PHONE: 800/433-7300). Continental (PHONE: 800/231-0856). Delta (PHONE: 800/221-1212). Horizon (PHONE: 800/547-9308). Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525). Skywest (PHONE: 800/453-9417). Southwest (PHONE: 800/435-9792). TWA (PHONE: 800/892-4141). United (PHONE: 800/241-6522).
From the U.K.
American (PHONE: 0345/789789). British Airways (PHONE: 0345/222111). Delta (PHONE: 0800/414767). United (PHONE: 0800/888555). Virgin Atlantic (PHONE: 01293/747747).
Transfers Between the Airport and Town
By Car
To drive to downtown San Jose from the airport, take Airport Boulevard east to Highway 87 south.
By Shuttle Van
South & East Bay Airport Shuttle (PHONE: 408/559-9477) transports visitors to and from the airport. A shuttle to downtown San Jose costs $15.
By Taxi
A taxi from the airport to downtown San Jose costs about $12.
By Bus Greyhound (PHONE: 800/231-2222) provides service to San Jose from points within California, the U.S., and Canada.
By Car The quickest route to San Jose from San Francisco by car is I-280. From there take the Guadalupe Parkway (also known as Highway 87) north, then the Santa Clara Street exit east for the most direct route to downtown San Jose.
By Train CalTrain (PHONE: 800/660-4287) runs from 4th and Townsend streets in San Francisco to San Jose's Rod Diridon station ($5.25 one-way). The trip to San Jose takes about 1½ hours. A shuttle (PHONE: 408/321-2300) links downtown San Jose to the CalTrain station, across from the San Jose Arena, every 20 minutes during morning and evening commute hours. Amtrak (65 Cahill St., PHONE: 800/872-7245) serves San Jose with direct routes from Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities.
Getting Around By Bus Valley Transportation Authority (PHONE: 408/321-2300 or 800/894-9908) buses run efficiently, although not as frequently as a visitor might like. Operators can help you plan routes.
By Car You can buy detailed maps in bookstores and gas stations and at some grocery and drug stores. The San Jose branch of the American Automobile Association (PHONE: 800/564-6222) has state and local maps that are free to members. Car Rentals
Rates in San Jose begin at around $30 a day and $180 a week. This does not include tax on car rentals, which is 8¼%.
At Home
For more information, call Alamo (PHONE: 800/327-9633; 020/8759-6200 in the United Kingdom), Avis (PHONE: 800/331-1212; 800/879-2847 in Canada; 02/9353-9000 in Australia; 09/525-1982 in New Zealand), Budget (PHONE: 800/527-0700; 0144/227-6266 in the United Kingdom), Dollar (PHONE: 800/800-4000; 020/8897-0811 in the United Kingdom; where it is known as Eurodollar; 02/9223-1444 in Australia), Hertz (PHONE: 800/654-3131; 800/263-0600 in Canada; 020/8897-2072 in the United Kingdom; 02/9669-2444 in Australia; 03/358-6777 in New Zealand), or National InterRent (PHONE: 800/227-7368; 0345/222525 in the United Kingdom; where it is known as Europcar InterRent).
Requirements
In California you must be 21 to rent a car, and rates may be higher if you're under 25. You'll pay extra for child seats (about $3 per day), which are compulsory for children under five, and for additional drivers (about $2 per day). Non-U.S. residents will need a reservation voucher, a passport, a driver's license, and a travel policy that covers each driver, in order to pick up a car.
Road Conditions
The roads in and around San Jose are well maintained. Congestion occurs on Interstate 280, U.S. 101, and state highways 17, 85, and 87 during the morning (7-9) and evening (4-7) commuting hours.
To find out more details on local conditions, call Caltrans (PHONE: 800/427-7623).
Rules of the Road
Seat belts are required at all times. Tickets can be given for failing to comply. Small children must be in child safety seats. Unless otherwise indicated, right turns are allowed on red lights after you've come to a full stop, and left turns onto adjoining one-way streets are allowed on red lights after you've come to a full stop. Drivers found to have a blood alcohol level higher than 0.08 are subject to arrest.
By Train In San Jose light-rail trains run 24 hours a day and serve most major attractions, shopping malls, historic sites, and downtown. Trains run every 10 minutes weekdays from 6 AM to 8 PM, and vary during weekends and late-night hours from every 15 minutes to once an hour. Tickets are valid for two hours; they cost $1.10 one-way or $2.50 for a day pass. Historic trolleys operate in downtown San Jose from 10:30 to 5:30 during the summer and on some holidays throughout the year. Buy tickets for both the light-rail and the trolleys at vending machines in any transit station. For more information call or visit the Downtown Customer Service Center (2 N. 1st St., San Jose, PHONE: 408/321-2300).
