Getting around · Napa Valley · United States
Getting around Napa Valley
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Yountville village, Napa Valley · Photo: California Health and Human Services Agency, Public domain
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Quick answer
Napa Valley is best explored by car, with a driver or on organised tours. Highway 29 runs up the west side of the valley and the quieter Silverado Trail up the east; the Vine bus service and the Vine Trail cover parts of the valley. A car or driver is very helpful, as wineries are spread out.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Car
- Airports
- SFO, OAK, STS
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
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Ways to get around
Car
A hire car gives the most flexibility; Napa to Calistoga takes about 40 minutes without traffic.
Use the Silverado Trail to avoid weekend traffic on Highway 29 through St Helena.
Bus
The Vine, run by the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, operates bus routes through the valley between Napa and Calistoga and to the Vallejo ferry terminal.
Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train runs scenic dining trips between Napa and St Helena; it is a sightseeing experience rather than transport.
Cycling
The Vine Trail links Napa and Yountville, and bike-hire shops in Napa, Yountville and Calistoga offer guided winery rides.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft operate, but cars can be scarce up-valley and late in the evening; private drivers are a popular alternative for tasting days.
From the airport
San Francisco International (SFO) is about 100 km away, roughly 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic. Oakland (OAK) is about 75 km and Sonoma County Airport (STS) about 50 km away. Airport shuttles and car hire are available; by public transport, the San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo connects with Vine buses to Napa.
Do you need a car?
A car or driver is very helpful, as wineries are spread out. If you plan to taste, use a driver, a tour, the Wine Train or the Vine Trail rather than driving yourself.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Sonoma | About 30 minutes by car | Car via Carneros |
| San Francisco | About 1.5 hours by car, or bus and ferry | Car, or Vine bus to Vallejo and the San Francisco Bay Ferry |
| Healdsburg and the Russian River Valley | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via Calistoga |
| Point Reyes National Seashore | About 1 hour 45 minutes by car | Car |
| Muir Woods | About 1.5 hours by car | Car; parking or shuttle reservations required |
| Lake Berryessa | About 45 minutes by car | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Napa Valley?
A car or driver is very helpful, as wineries are spread out. If you plan to taste, use a driver, a tour, the Wine Train or the Vine Trail rather than driving yourself.
+How do you get from the airport to Napa Valley?
San Francisco International (SFO) is about 100 km away, roughly 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic. Oakland (OAK) is about 75 km and Sonoma County Airport (STS) about 50 km away. Airport shuttles and car hire are available; by public transport, the San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo connects with Vine buses to Napa.
+What is the best way to get around Napa Valley?
Car: A hire car gives the most flexibility; Napa to Calistoga takes about 40 minutes without traffic.