I love riding the train and even more so since they converted to electric trains. The new trains are quieter and offer a pretty smooth ride. One of the best things about the train is seeing all of the little towns along the tracks. One of my favorites is Mountain View. The train station is on the edge of a busy downtown street lined with shops, restaurants and interesting people. Step off the train and you're right in the heart of the action. There's plenty of parking and getting to either side of the tracks to access the north or southbound trains is super easy. The next time you're on the train, consider making a pit stop in Mountain View. read more

Large parking lot, close proximity to Castro street. If you have time to kill before or after the train, there are a lot of possibilities.

Thankful that CalTrain allows me to commute to my office job in SF and live in the South Bay. When I tell people what my commute is like, they think I'm nuts. However, I rather like the comfortable seats and quiet time to read or knit instead of sitting in traffic. This train station at Mountain View is pleasant with lots of parking (and you get some shade if you're lucky) and easy drop off spots and connections to buses or light rail. Also, the location is right next to Mountain View downtown which is convenient to pick up breakfast and coffee in the morning or catch happy hour or pick up dinner in the evening. It feels safe walking around on my own too which is especially important to me when it's dark, and the parking lot is well lit. Some travel tips: The train tracks closest to the parking lot goes south towards San Jose, and you have to cross the tracks to the other side to go northbound to San Francisco. Check the timetables on your phone so that you arrive at the platform a couple minutes before your train arrives because it does not wait for you if you're running to catch it. Yes, I know that from experience! If you're parking, use the number of your parking spot to pay for parking either on the CalTrain app or st the kiosks located around the tracks. Don't forget to purchase your ticket first or tag on with your Clipper card before boarding the train and tag off at your destination. On Sundays, half the parking lot transforms into a bustling Farmers Market with a good variety of vegetables, fruit, and food stalls. Hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and I'm usually there later when they're cleaning up. I go here especially for the honey stall that sells local honey in cute honey bears. If you're on the train during commute hours and see someone knitting or Yelping on her phone, it might just be me so say hi! read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - Morning commute to SF on the CalTrain - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

A service that sounds very useful but is very inconsistent due to incompetent and inconsiderate staff and passengers and a flawed system. I have to ride the train everyday for commute. Let me just write down all my grievances below: - I've seen multiple instances of staff purposely close the doors or trick people into leaving the train so that they miss it and are stranded in a station they're not familiar with. Even worse if it's a station that not every train stops at - The train stops too close to the pedestrian crossing, so that the safety bar never goes up to let people through. I've missed multiple trains because of this due to the incompetent train driver - Either the staff are uncaring or too oppressive. Sometimes they're just dead silent and don't even monitor the train at all or make announcements and the passengers are running rampant. I'm talking kids running around the train, extremely loud people you can hear across the train car, and people playing their music on full blast. Sometimes they're always on the prowl and calling everyone out for the littlest things. I prefer the latter, but they seem too harsh to be talking to other people that way. I wouldn't trust any of them with my life in an emergency. - The train is always always always always late. I go to the train expecting it to be delayed because it just always happens, even in the early morning. Caltrain for the life of them can't maintain a consistent schedule. As I'm writing this review the train I'm waiting for is delayed by 15 minutes. - The train horn is LOUD. I feel sorry for the people living nearby. - Some trains are very outdated. There are 2 different types of trains that come by and you can definitely tell which one is past its prime. You're rolling a dice on whether you get a nice comfy ride or a ride bumpier and more intense than Great America rollercoasters. Caltrain is a great and convenient mode of transportation if it works, BUT IT NEVER DOES. Save the headache and plan some other way to get around if you can. Don't give this terrible service any more of your money. read more

Easy ride on the Caltrain. Clean station with wide open spaces with car lot. Easy to find the Clipper card machine at station to tag off. If you don't take off, you get citation which I read on the Caltrain website where they charge you for the maximum ride. Make sure you don't forget! Unfortunately I forgot when. I went back to San Francisco end of the line. I was sleeping and forgot to tag out of the Caltrain. That's one disadvantage of having a Clipper card to save money because you have to tag on and off at each stop. They still dispense paper tickets, but I don't see the ticket agent walk around too often on the train in the morning. But on the way back to San Francisco on Saturday evening, I did see the ticket agent walk through the aisle more frequently due to a busy train with lots of people coming out. I didn't realize so many people take a Caltrain on weekends. I just went to the Mountain View Art and Wine Festival which was nice and easy ride. I hope they will clean the trains more. On the way here, the seat I was on in the second level was dirty with food crumbs. Other than that easy to take train and not drive. Like who wants to deal with drivers who can't drive on the road correctly and weaving through traffic with their big SUVs or other cars. Caltrain nice and relaxing to enjoy the scenery and towns it passes by. read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - I think this sculpture is part of the Mountain View Train station of the Caltrain and VTA and Centennial plaza - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

Parking is affordable and easy to get parking tickets and cal train tickets. I enjoy it a lot

This place will always hold a special place in my heart. I love Mountain View. One of my best friends lives here and we've used this station as a focal point when planning adventures. It's one of the safer, dependable, and walkable Caltrain stops. Downtown Mountain View is literally right there. Cross at Hope street for easy access. Memories here include breezy weekends waiting for trains, browsing the handy dandy farmer's market on Sundays, forgetting where I parked my car while on a date to the point where aforementioned best friend had to come rescue me. I may or may not have kissed a guy here. I've definitely gotten a parking ticket here. Definitely consider parking at one of the lots nearby, which are free. There are a few at Hope and W. Evelyn, and at Hope and W. Dana. Just remember which damn lot you parked in or embarrassment occurs. They do ticket the Caltrain lot all weekend. I'm $48 poorer after my last Late Wake Up and Run for the Train to The City Adventure last weekend. Safety is key here. I've walked to my car at 2 am before and there will still be plenty of taxi guys even at this hour, as long as there's an event at Levi's or AT&T Park, until the last train comes in at least. It's well lit, too. I just plain love MV and this station. End of story, goodbye, the end. read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - Just a typical day at Caltrain MV - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

Easy breezy station when traveling from San Francisco to Mountain View. Exit the Caltrain stop and you can connect to the VTA that goes to San Jose. Cross the street and you'll be a stone's throw from Castro Street (the Main Street in town). Very convenient to shopping & businesses! read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - What an amazing view from Saturday night... - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

I had dinner / drink plans with a few friends in Mountain View at a restaurant off Castro Street. Since I was coming from San Francisco after work, I took Cal Train down on Thursday, September 28th. I left SF a little after 6pm and arrived at this station around 7pm. This location is your average station in the suburbs. Clean with parking. Coming from the King & 4th Street station, I ended up taking the baby bullet. For $8.25, it was roughly a 46 minute ride with four stops. I hate driving, so this was a much better way to get to MV. Plus this station was just a 6 min walk to the restaurant where we were going. Convenient if you are traveling from the city and going to downtown Mountain View. read more

Located in Mountain View downtown, it's the stop for both VTA Light Rail and CalTrain. The transit center is quite clean, not smelly or anything weird. Also there is a huge parking lot, the rate is daily for $5.5. I normally go there if I want to go to San Francisco without taking my car. The ticket one way is $8.25 and there is a fast train called bullet that skips many stops so it's a lot quicker, check the train schedule. Glad it still stops at Mountain View so it's quick and easy for me. read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - Daily parking 5.5 a day - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

Location-wise, it's convenient, as it's right next to castro street which has a lot of shops and restaurants. For driving, it's right off Evelyn going 85N from the south bay. The station itself is a bit dirty and it shows wear and tear, but it runs fine. Parking: A Daily Parking Permit may be purchased for $4 from a Ticket Vending Machine. The parking lot is a good size, but it seems like its always fairly packed. Plan ahead for this... Also, read the parking instructions on their website before you actually go. This might help mitigate some of the confusion. Go to their website - find the tab "Rider Information" - go down to "Parking" - find instructions to park. Overall, parking seems to be the thing people complain about the most, and it's completely understandable. Plan ahead for this mess as best you can. Get there a bit early to scout for parking. If you're being dropped off, you should be good to go. read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

This is a fairly well-maintained cal-train station that also has a VTA station nearby. Downtown Mountain View is literally at a 10 minute walking distance and there's a huge parking lot in the vicinity of this station. read more

This is not a transfer station like at Milbrae or any of the other stations further north so it is very straightforward, almost impossible to get lost. One track for northbound trains, and one track for southbound trains. There's also VTA behind the Caltrain tracks, but I've never used it before. There are plenty of ticket kiosks scattered around the station, the longest line I've encountered is about 4 people. Some of the kiosks are buggy, but let's be real they're all like that read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - Tracks at the mountain view station - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

If you're going south bound, then stand on the platform next to the parking lot. If you are going north bound, then walk across the tracks to the platform on the other side (next to VTA). Parking is $5/day. $50/month with permit. I prefer to park in the neighborhoods because 1) running for the Caltrain in the mornings / walking back to my car is a good exercise, 2) I want to save money, and 3) I don't have to worry about the 24hr parking restriction (that way I can crash at a friend's place in SF). The streets within 1-3 blocks of the station have time 2-5hr time restrictions, but if you drive further in, they are gone~~~~ (except on Levi's Stadium game days). PRO TIPS: - During commute hours, sit on the side of the train away from the sun (especially during summer) - If you're going to SF: I always take the northbound train from Mountain View to SF, and I highly recommend you ride in the first car (direction of travel) so that you can exit the Caltrain station faster in SF. Figure out where to stand on the platform (different places for the new and old Caltrains) so that the doors open close to where you're standing (that way you get first dibs on seats) - There's a clipper card machine in the VTA station next to Caltrain. It's so much faster than the super slow clipper card machine in SF 4th & King station. For old trains: Outlets are upstairs under the 6th seat. The wheelchair car seems to have the most powerful AC (I some times use my backpack to shield myself from the cold blast). I've been commuting 2hrs door to door every week day for about 1.5yr. It has been a character-building and patience-testing commute, but once you optimize it and get used to it, it's tolerable! read more

Here are some commuting hacks * Parking usually fills up by 8 AM, Monday - Thursday. On Fridays, its pretty open till even 9AM * If the lot is full, there is an extended lot at Evelyn. You can take the light rail and head to Castro. It's not a real alternative unless you have a bike and can quickly bike back. Otherwise, it's a long walk or you getting lucky with getting the light rail back in * No restrooms on the station. The nearest restroom is probably one of the coffee shops on Castro. * While exiting the lot, favor the south entrance - its a bit quicker to get out. * There is a nice coffee shop nearby (was called Neto's and now Olympus) * There's an oil change shop nearby that you can leave your car for oil changes in the AM and pick up in the evening read more

This station is one of the nicest stations I've been to! There's not a lot of people so it isn't crowded. It's nearby many shops, restaurants and even the farmers market! It also has some interesting statues and benches. read more

Caltrain Station - Mountain View - near the station - Public Transportation Near Me - Mountain View, California

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I dislike how the ticket machines are set up at this Caltrain station. The Clipper machines seem to have a few bugs and the Caltrain ticket machines are far away from the front of the station. If you're in a hurry, you're out of luck. It's an open station, and very central to downtown Mountain View, so those are huge positives, but recently they've had a screeching Girl Scout problem - so generally it's not a pleasure to walk into the station in the evening. I do enjoy that it links up with lightrail, however I don't use that feature that often so it being central and clean are higher perks for me. All things considered, definitely not a bad station! read more

This is my favorite Caltrain station. I always feel safe parking here even when I'm coming back past midnight and express trains usually stop here! Parking is $5.00 per day. The parking requires a couple steps that I thought I'd share: 1. Park your car 2. Note down your parking number 3. Go up to the ticket booth (the same one where you buy your caltrain ticket) 4. Purchase a ticket permit by entering your space number 5. Keep the receipt in your pocket! (you don't put anything on your car) The only downside to this station is that it is so popular that parking is sometimes hard to find! read more

Ive seen this station more than i can remember. I used to commute out of here so it was a regular part of 3 years of my life. The Caltrain has been a source of not having to drive but also a source of delay frustration. Every once in a while the slow ass VTA is also an option since this is the intersection of two providers. Luckily or unluckily this is a manor hub so more trains come through than most. read more

This Caltrain station has a decently-sized parking lot, but it's a major transit center, so it fills up quickly. Two entrances into the parking lot but it can be backed up like crazy when a train comes in. Ticket machines (where you also pay for parking - $5 for 24 hours) are located in the middle of the station, with Clipper tag stations alongside either side of the platforms. VTA station is just on the other side of the fence, and downtown Mountain View just steps away - prime location! MV is one of the stops on the express trains, so it gets crowded (but if you board in the last compartment, you're more likely to get a seat). This station is completely outdoors, so not much coverage from the elements while you're waiting for a train. No grade separation to get to the other side of the platform, so look both ways when you cross the tracks (and please don't try to "beat the gate arms"). read more

This is a great location for a station. Downtown Mountain View is, like, Right There! Two minute walk. Great places to eat and play. Bookstores too. read more

Great location right by downtown Mountain View and just off the highway makes it easy to get to as part of the daily commute up to SF. Ample parking on weekday mornings around 8am. Parking lot has a single direction flow of traffic so rideshares and carpools don't cause too much traffic at peak hours in the parking lot, unlike at other stations. Clean and spacious. Ticketing machines are located in the middle of the platforms. You have to walk over the southbound tracks to get to the northbound tracks, so look both ways and be careful. Transfer is available to VTA at the far side of the station. read more

Best way to get to the city IMHO especially during peak time. The parking lot is pretty full but I always get a spot. The trains are great and MUCH better compared to BART including the passengers. Thank goodness! read more

Located in the Mountain View downtown, this Caltrain station is connected with various VTA bus routes, Google shuttles and VTA light rail. The signs are clear so I don't get lost or go to the wrong boarding platform. There are ticket vending machines and service to refill Clipper card too. read more

If the Caltrain didn't exist I would never be able to go to Giants games. The Mountain View Caltrain station is in a nice area (next to Castro Street) but every time I board the train from this station, the train gets delayed. I don't know if the Mountain View Caltrain has something against me, but it always happens. Every. Single. Time. Because of the Mountain View Caltrain, I have never been to a Giants game on time. read more

This is my go to Caltrain Station if I want some to take my favorite bus line. Once I get on it's a real dance party. Get ready to cha cha cha. Besides my favorite dance party bus route other lines are not frequent which makes it a peaceful place until a train horn blows. You can definitely feel good if you ride your public transport here. During the early mornings you can catch the C-Train Baby Bullet Express. If you want a calm place to go while working in Mountain View this is the place to go. There is a small wine joint here were you can grab a quick glass before going to work. Light rail is real close if you wish to go to the city from Mountain View. For locals only. I am not a local but they did a good job of connecting me to Mountain View restaurants on my graduation. If you are lucky a food truck might show up. read more

My first time at this Caltrain station and I saw an employee yelling at a young lady in a car. I guess she got turned around, but regardless, there was NO reason for such hostility from this employee. So rude! I won't be back to this station regardless of how clean or nice it is because there is no regard for people here, customers or not. I wish I took a picture or better yet a video. Management should definitely look into this! read more

Nice interchange station. Trains are generally on time plus if you come early you can have a decent wine at the wine cellar which is located strategically at the station. Since its downtown mountain view, very convenient location of the station. read more

The two stars are only for the way that this station is designed. As for the train service, it's four stars. If you're driving to this station and need to park, come to this station as early as possible for the following reasons: 1) It'll take at least 15 minutes or more no matter what day it is to find parking. You'll be lucky if you find a spot in less time. 2) Chances are that if you do find a spot, it'll be located all the way at the END of the lot. The problem is that you have to buy a parking ticket for your vehicle. The ONLY place where you can buy a parking ticket is where you purchase the train tickets which are past the rail road tracks. If your train is about to arrive, you'll literally have to run fast to and back to your car like I had to do a couple of times. If you are driving, remember the number of the spot of where you park as you'll have to enter that parking spot number to get your ticket. If you happen to miss your train, don't worry as the ticket is good up until a certain time. It says so on the ticket. The train comes along every hour. The only good thing about this location is that it's within walking distance to Castro St. There are lots of good places to eat and shop at on that street. If you have to use the restroom, stop somewhere else first as there are no restrooms here. The train itself is always on time and whatever delays that occur usually only last a few minutes at the most. I don't think that there is any a/c on this train as I was sweating on the train. Also, it could be that I was hot and sweaty from having gotten out of breath from running across a huge parking lot in under ten minutes to catch the train on time. I had to catch my breath a few times, but I made it with three or four minutes to spare. Lucky for me I had flats on! I had to catch a somewhat early train and I'm not an early bird, so that's why I had to rush again! The price of the tickets depend on where you're going. My destination was to SF the last few times, so it was $4.75 to get off at Millbrae. It goes by zones. There are always a lot of people waiting in line to buy tickets, and some of them take forever, so it's always best to come early and have a five dollar bill or less if you're paying in cash or your credit card ready. If you're confused about where to go, ask someone. There is usually at least one or two nice people who are know what to do and willing to help you out if you need help. There is no one there at the station unlike other train stations. The best thing to do is to just plan your trip via google maps and call the CalTrains toll free number if you need any help ahead of time. The operators are nice and helpful. read more

I had to get to SF by 10 a.m. and I thought to myself, why deal with the parking and paying for parking when I could just take the train. I first went to the Sunnyvale station but it looked like the parking was all full so I headed over to the MV station and yes, the parking lot was already full but I knew where to park for free and not get ticketed. Plus, it's just a short 5 minute walk to the station. Roundtrip to SF and back cost $11.75 which is a bit expensive but it's a really pleasant ride. I got to read and just relax, watching the cities I passed by at each stop. This is definitely a great way to get up to the city. Plus, you're doing your part to reducing your carbon footprint!!! read more

Not sure why the address for Caltrain is set to Sunnyvale but Im just going to review Caltrain as a whole. I used to ride the Caltrain from Palo Alto to SF when I was still working there. So far its reasonable, fast and clean. Hopping on the train when it just arrives to your station was a good sign that my day was going to start well lol. You do get the occasional bump on the road like the previous train had technical problems and you're at their tail. If you're heading home from SF, grab a Subway sandwich and some cookies from the station, rush to the train and pick a quiet seat on the 2nd tier of the car, take a nap after eating and you're good for the rest of the day :) The only problem is disembarking at SF during the early morning, some people who bring their bikes on the train have a tendency to try to get ahead of everyone even though they're supposed to let everyone get out first. Watch out for beer smelling dudes during baseball season read more

This review is for the Mountain View CalTrain station, not the CalTrain in general. This station itself is good by South Bay standards but it pales in comparison to some of the stations further up the Peninsula. Pros: *This station connects with the lightrail which gives them their 4th star *This station Connects with VTA buses *Conveniently located minutes away from downtown Mountain View *Bike lockers available to rent on site Cons: *Parking lot fills up quickly *Not very many places to sit while waiting for the train Tips: *If you're parking in the lot, be sure to have your car moved before the Sunday farmers market! read more

This just became my home station. I used to get on at Sunnyvale station but the timing of the bullet didn't match up to my work shuttle so I started catching the one that stops by Mountain View. First things first, parking is the worst on the weekdays during rush hour! Sunnyvale station has a lot more parking and you can normally grab a spot by 8am (would recommend if you don't care about the bullets). You need to get here by 7:30am to get a spot and even then it's not guaranteed. Only exception is Friday where you can still grab a spot even if you get here at 8am. I started parking at the park and ride lot on Pioneer and just walk 10 min over to the station. It's free (good bye $50 Caltrain monthly parking), you don't need to worry about getting a spot because there's always plenty of spots there and you get to have a short brisk walk in the morning and in the evening. I see it as a win-win! It's also located right next to downtown mountain view so if you missed a train or have a while to wait, you're within walking distance to plenty of restaurants. read more

Just retired from years of riding the rails. So many people say "take mass transit". easier said than done. I was lucky because my home and my work are minutes away from stations. To make things more possible for those living farther away, here is a tip: Rent TWO bike lockers, one at either end. It is often difficult to find a spot for your bike in the designated car and then you hassle with riding herd on it, getting blocked in, trying to get out through a forest of handlebars. I just stuffed garage-sale bikes in each locker. About $65 a year per locker. Pros: 1) a monthly or 10-trip ticket beats the price of your car when you figure in wear and tear. 2) You don't have to steer! (Even the driver doesn't have to steer). 3) Relax, read, listen to music or watch a movie or do work on your lap top. 4) Bathrooms. Ahh. 5) Drink a beer and eat a sandwhich... unique to Cal Train? Cons: 1) Cell Phone shouters. 2) People who jump in front of the train. Bring a book. read more

A parking nightmare if your not there by 715am. Over the past 6 months it used to get a spot if you arrive before 8am but now everyday the lot is packed to the brim with campers waiting for a spot at 730am! There's is no parking nearby either since it's all 5 hour limits only! This is absurd and Caltrain needs to do something about this parking issue. Maybe make it pay and display because it makes me wonder how many people are parking for free here. It may free up down spots. read more

Gas is over $4/gallon now... and I gotta commute. What better way to conserve gas than riding the train. You can sleep, you can play games on your phone/laptop, you can do work, you can enjoy the view, and you can be stress free! Caltrain is always consistent UNTIL.... someone is struck on the tracks. Sad but unfortunately very, very true. At this station I always find parking but it also helps I don't have a usual 9a-5p work schedule. Baby bullets are sooooo nice and 99.5% of the trains I've been on they check for tickets. It's nice to be super close to downtown MV so if ever you have some down time, hungry, or just wanting to explore this is a prime stop. read more

This Caltrain station has parking issues which are even worse when it is a weekend and the Farmer's Market is there. There should be some spaces reserved for actual train users. I almost missed my train the other weekend because I couldn't find a space. It also isn't very convenient to buy tickets for parking. It would be nice if there were more places to do so. Otherwise, I enjoy taking the train. I don't like Caltrain's "Zone" pricing-- as I feel it discourages people from using the train for shorter trips that take them to different zones. Cost/benefit doesn't always add up. read more

Just a caltrain station. Nothing special. Only good thing is it is the same station as VTA light rail.

This review is based solely on the station and not the Train service itself. (which deserves 5 stars!) Parking is pretty tight and if you are lucky enough to find a spot, it's usually waaay over in the southern most part of the station. Unfortunately, all the things important to the commuter are way on the north side. the automated ticket booths are all the way on the north side of the platform. It's a hassle and it's annoying when i'm trying to rush onto the train. They need to put 1 at each of the gates (north AND south), to be more efficient. This place has newspapers available, but again, on the northern most point of the station. Same goes for the food cart. Anybody see a pattern here? This place doesn't have a restroom so find a bush somewhere.. So in conclusion, get here EARLY if you need to park, get a stamp on your 8 ride, or need to purchase a ticket. For such a busy station, it sure is lacking in a lot of things. read more

Having just wrote a review explaining that you can't make Clipper purchases at Caltrain, I realized that this is an oddball exception, and one that will probably never occur to you. The thing is, you can buy tickets or passes for basically ANY Bay Area transit agency at a VTA light-rail station kiosk, and whaddya know, there's one right here! (I guess they must have laid some fiber cables when they built these tracks?) Considering that Walgreen's clerks are clueless and the Autoload thing on their website is slow enough to be untrustworthy, this is your best option for monthly passes if you happen to use this station. So, the light rail is good for something after all! read more