- Must visit
The Tech Interactive
Interactive science center with hands-on exhibits, an IMAX dome theater, and family-friendly displays in the heart of downtown.
Cheapest price
€51
Average price
€51
Fastest journey
6 h 32 m
Average duration
6 h 32 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
168 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA will cost around €51 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €51.
Of the 1 trains that leave Madera, CA for San Jose, CA on Wed, Aug 05, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 168 km distance in an average of 6 h 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 32 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 6 h 32 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €25. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €25, and a flight costs an average of €653.
Distance: 104 miles (168 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€50 Average price | €653 Average price | €26 Average price Cheapest | €21 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 35m Average total duration 4h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 56m Average total duration 9h 56m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 4h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA:
A bus is €25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA costing on average €50.
A bus is €628 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA costing on average €653.
Other travel options to San Jose, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 5m.
Flight takes on average 9h 56m.
Tickets start at around €50 compared to roughly €21 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-29.67. The journey takes 4h 5m versus 2h 10m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Madera, CA to San Jose, CA trains for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:23 PM Madera, CA | 6h32 | 3:55 AM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €49 but you can travel from only €25 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 06:10, the last at 18:29. The fastest train covers the 104 miles (168 km) distance in 6h 32m.
Distance 104 miles (168 km) |
Average train duration 4h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price €49 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 6h 32m |
First train 6:10 AM |
Last train 6:29 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 4 days |
Discover the best of San Jose, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Jose, CA trip today.
Interactive science center with hands-on exhibits, an IMAX dome theater, and family-friendly displays in the heart of downtown.
Large art museum known for modern and contemporary works, strong West Coast focus, and thoughtful rotating exhibitions.
A vast collection of restored computer history, from early machines to supercomputers, popular with tech enthusiasts.
Signature downtown plaza for festivals, concerts, and civic life, surrounded by museums, hotels, and historic buildings.
A vibrant historic district with Japanese shops, temples, murals, and a strong sense of local community and heritage.
Lively arts district centered on galleries, murals, and monthly South First Fridays, ideal for an evening walk downtown.
A Vietnamese noodle soup with beef or chicken in a fragrant broth. San Jose's large Vietnamese community makes it a defining local comfort food.
A Vietnamese sandwich on a crisp baguette, often filled with grilled pork, pickled vegetables, herbs, and pate. A staple tied to San Jose's Little Saigon.
A South Indian rice and lentil crepe served with chutney and sambar. It is a local favorite thanks to San Jose's strong South Asian community.
Refined fine dining destination offering modern French cuisine, polished service, and an elegant special-occasion atmosphere.
Beloved San Jose institution serving smoked meats, ribs, and classic sides in a casual, old-school barbecue setting.
Casual neighborhood favorite for handcrafted pupusas and Salvadoran comfort food with a warm, family-run feel.
San Jose is pricier than many US cities. Hotels, dining, and parking add up fast, though public transit and casual food can help control daily costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 at cafes for good service. Tax is usually added separately.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madera, CA to San Jose, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Jose, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madera, CA to San Jose, CA trains use the Madera Station to San José Diridon Station station pair, with some services arriving at Santa Clara Station. Use this guide to compare Madera, CA and San Jose, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madera Station is 6 km from Madera city centre. Public transport options include:
Madera Station has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madera Station: Ramps.
San José Diridon Station is 1 km from San Jose city centre. Public transport options include:
San José Diridon Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Farmers Union, Poor House Bistro, La Victoria Taqueria
ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at San José Diridon Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at San José Diridon Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at San José Diridon Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at San José Diridon Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at San José Diridon Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel De Anza, The Westin San Jose, AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown.
Santa Clara Station is 1 km from San Jose city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Clara Station has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, and WC.
Food and drink options are available at Santa Clara Station.
ATMs are available at Santa Clara Station.
Available at Santa Clara Station: Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Clara Station.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need