San Jose, CaliforniaSan José

The questions people ask first about San Jose, California, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetySan Jose is one of the safer large US cities, but downtown is quiet at night and car break-ins are common in lots and trailheads: leave nothing…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–7
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and about 9% sales tax.$20–35
• BeerDraft beer$8–12
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) rideshareSurge pricing at commute hours.$15–25
• Metro or bus rideVTA light rail or bus single ride$2.50 (check)
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Tech Interactive, Rosicrucian)$20–35
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
• High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$350

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

SJC Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (4 miles northwest of downtown; VTA route 60 bus is free from the airport to Metro/Airport light rail or Santa Clara Transit Center) · SFO San Francisco International (33 miles northwest; BART or SamTrans to Millbrae, then Caltrain to Diridon) · OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay (34 miles north; BART connector to Coliseum, then Orange or Green line to Berryessa/North San José)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–140 excl. bed

Mid

$160–260 excl. bed

High

$300+ excl. bed

• Downtown empties after about 21:00 on weeknights; plan dinner early or stay near Santana Row.Downtown empties after about 9:00 PM on weeknights; plan dinner early or stay near Santana Row.
• Summer afternoons regularly pass 30°C (86°F) with no rain for months — carry water.Summer afternoons regularly pass 86°F (30°C) with no rain for months — carry water.
• Rush hour on US-101 and I-880 runs roughly 07:00–09:30 and 15:30–19:00; add 30–60 min to any drive.Rush hour on US-101 and I-880 runs roughly 7:00 AM–9:30 AM and 3:30 PM–7:00 PM; add 30–60 min to any drive.
• Parking downtown is metered and enforced; check the sign before you leave the car.
• Homelessness is visible around the Guadalupe River trail and parts of downtown; standard city precautions apply.