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How to get from San José to Alajuela

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What is the best way to travel from San José to Alajuela?

Looking for a trip? Compare all the available Carpool and Buses for the journey to Alajuela from San José. Check between different modes of transportation, look for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 2 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Car is the cheapest and fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Car
2h 30m
$51
$151
16

What is the cheapest way to reach Alajuela from San José?

You can get to Alajuela with just $51 by taking a Car from Volcano Travel, but you can find many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for next few days here for you.

today
tomorrow
from $51
Monday
from $51
Tuesday
from $51
Wednesday
from $51
Thursday
from $51
Friday

    Cheapest Carpool tomorrow

  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182

    Cheapest Carpool Monday

  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182

    Cheapest Carpool Tuesday

  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    5:00 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    7:40 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    11:00 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    1:40 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    5:00 PM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    7:40 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    2h 30m
    0
    5:30 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $183

    Cheapest Carpool Wednesday

  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182

    Cheapest Carpool Thursday

  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182

What are the fastest trips from San José to Alajuela?

You can get to Alajuela from San José in just 2h 30m with a Car from Volcano Travel. This is not the only option, and you can click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other modes of transportations.

today
tomorrow
from 3h 0m
Monday
from 3h 0m
Tuesday
from 2h 30m
Wednesday
from 3h 0m
Thursday
from 3h 0m
Friday

    Fastest Carpool tomorrow

  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51

    Fastest Carpool Monday

  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51

    Fastest Carpool Tuesday

  • Volcano Travel
    2h 30m
    0
    5:30 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $183
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    5:00 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    7:40 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    11:00 AM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    1:40 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    2h 40m
    0
    5:00 PM
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    Juan Santamaría - San José Airport
    7:40 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51

    Fastest Carpool Wednesday

  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51

    Fastest Carpool Thursday

  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 AM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    11:00 AM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    2:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Arenal Trans
    3h 0m
    0
    5:00 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    8:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Arenal Trans
    Premium Economy
    from $182
  • Volcano Travel
    3h 30m
    0
    1:30 PM
    San José
    Terminal de Buses Turrialba
    5:00 PM
    Alajuela
    Arenal Volcano
    0
    Volcano Travel
    Premium Economy
    from $51
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from San José to Alajuela

What are the most popular stations in San José and Alajuela?

In San José, you will usually depart from Terminal del EUPSA, Terminal de Buses Turrialba or Gran Terminal del Caribe, while in Alajuela you will be arriving at La Paz Waterfall, Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel or Arenal Volcano, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to Alajuela from San José? With 4 connections between 2 Car and Bus operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between San José and Alajuela, you can pay as low as $51 with a Car from Volcano Travel.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Car from Volcano Travel: you will get to Alajuela in just 2h 30m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting San José and Alajuela are Arenal Trans and Volcano Travel, but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in San José and Alajuela is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Colima or to Juan Santamaría - San José Airport, and look at flights from Juan Santamaría - San José Airport, and landing at Juan Santamaría - San José Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from San José to Alajuela?

The most popular companies between San José and Alajuela, are Arenal Trans and Volcano Travel. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

All you need to know when you travel from San José to Alajuela

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from San José to Alajuela. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from San José to Alajuela

How can I reach Alajuela from San José?

Every day, there are on average 4 connections between Car and Bus, with which you can get to Alajuela from San José.

How far is Alajuela from San José?

The distance between San José and Alajuela is 10.4 miles.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between San José and Alajuela?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 0 kgs of CO2, a train 1 kgs, a car 3 kgs, and a flight 4 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from San José to Alajuela?

You can get to Alajuela with just $51 by taking a Car from Volcano Travel.

What is the fastest way to get from San José to Alajuela?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to Alajuela in just 2h 30m with a Car from Volcano Travel.

More routes to San José and to Alajuela

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to San José and to Alajuela. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!

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