Very impressed with Caltrain. I had a hiccup purchasing my ticket via mobile app. Mostly user error, as I wasn't aware I could not purchase tickets in advanced as they expire. It's not like BART where you could add money. I took my bike on the train to work for the first time to participate with the annual "Bike To Work Day" presented by Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. I think it would help you if you watch YouTube videos at Caltrain website to give you more details of the dos and don'ts. Of course I didn't, so there are rules that I learned during my ride. For example, make sure to get a yellow tag for your bike and mark your destination. For example, "San Mateo to Mountain View." This will help other riders placed their bikes with the same destination next to yours. Also, look for train cars with a bike icon, and know ahead which train # stops at your final destination. Overall, my experience was fantastic. Customer service on the phone and email was also excellent. Cheers! read more

San Mateo Station - Bike to train station, during Bike To Work Day 5.10.2018 - Train Stations Near Me - San Mateo, California

Recently a new bus stop was placed in front of my home. The amount of garbage and people on my property is out of control. I have reached out to customer service, and management multiple times to no avail. No one follows up at Sam Trans. Customer service is nonexistent. Why is that? read more

The train station is a short walk to the restaurants & shops! San Mateo has parklets with many places to relax, have a cold beverage or eat outside! read more

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"pheeeeee" - Caltrain horn. I came to the San Mateo station during spring break recently and like the place. It's a very convenient station that is close to a lot of delicious food and a very nice movie theatre. It's a great place for students to get off and grab a quick bite before I set off for a trip back home. Every spring break when I am here, there are a lot of students here from all levels eating lunch together. Service at this station is perfect there is very little signs that a train is delayed when boarding or getting off here. I am glad to alight from here because there is a lot to explore in downtown SM. The first time I came here was back in 2017 and it was a great experience. If you are not getting off here you can get a very good view of the San Mateo bridge. At night it looks very good all lit up. If possible catch a limited stop train here because you won't have to wait for the train to continue at the next stop. read more

Free parking on Sundays! Not too crowded Baby bullet to AT&T park The smell of urine isn't too overwhelming Zone 2 to Zone 1 fares Super easy to find and so close to one of my favorite chill dining spots in San Mateo, B Street and Vine. read more

This is our new home station and it's pretty quaint. I wish there was a bit more seating, and it feels less well thought out than other stations such as Sunnyvale or Palo Alto but it's also so close to downtown that it was fairly easy for us to find housing in the vicinity. The route schedules were near perfect for what we needed to get to and from work and on a personal note, I totally adore that the ticket machines are literally RIGHT THERE when you walk into the station area. No running or scrambling to find them, or having them be far away from where the train will actually be. All in all, not a bad station, not a bad station at all. read more

Convenient location. Parking available both on ground level as well as basement. They do clean it, sometimes the stairs area smells like disinfectant; but sometimes, it smells like pee. So watch out for those mystery puddles on the floor. You never know whether it's rain or something else. Melting Pot restaurant upstairs is kind of a nice place to hang should you have a couple of hours to kill before your train arrives ... but you never have to really wait that long. Regardless, the place is like a palace if you compare it to what the old station was like before. Clean and well-lit. read more

I waited for 20 minutes on the platform for the train to arrive. When it stopped there was not enough time for me to board even though I was seated on one of the benches. Please consider alternatives for peninsula travel. read more

We took Caltrain to the SF Giants and SF Opera nite for Samson and Delilah. $8.00 round trip per person going from zone 1 to zone 2. Takes you right to the SF giants park. It is free to park at the caltrain station after 6pm. Otherwise, it is $2. You feed the $2 into a machine and punch in your parking stall. No ticket to put into your car. It was good that caltrain takes VISA for the train tickets but it doesn't for the parking ticket. You have to feed bills or coins into the machine. One complaint is that the train doesn't run very often at night. There was only one at 10pm and midnite. Kindy inconvenient. read more

Adequate parking for a Sunday morning trip down to the city. There was surface parking and what appeared to be an underground lot although I stayed above ground. The parking was free that day and any attempts to use the machine to pay for parking wasn't accepted either. I used the ticket vending machine outside of the station which was quick and easy. It was a Giants game day so there were a few special trains including the one that we took which only stopped at Millbrae and at 4th. The train was about 15 minutes late which was unfortunate but not unexpected. The station attendant was announcing how late the train was from the scheduled departure time but that information isn't particularly relevant if you're already at the station standing on the platform. That's info that would be helpful if you were still at home deciding which train to take. If they announced how many minutes the train would be arriving in, that would have made way more sense. read more

I've only had the pleasure of getting off at the San Mateo Caltrain stop a couple times. But I'm always glad when I do. First off, it's a relatively short ride from SF. Pass Millbrae and you're practically there. And then, it actually looks like a train station. Though I don't how much fun there is in riding Caltrain, there's something that feels better about getting off here as opposed to Redwood City or San Carlos. Finally, it's a great location. It's right downtown, and within walking distance to CURRY UP NOW. read more

After commuting by car in both the San Francisco Bay Area and the LA Basin, I really appreciate public transportation. Like last year (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caltrain-san-carlos#hrid:G3f_Gv3GcltrxtTpzRQBKA), there was a trade show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, and I needed to attend it and meet with vendors. Like last year, I planned to take Caltrains up to SF. My train was running about 15 minutes late, which gave me a little time to grab a glazed twist donut and a medium coffee from nearby Donut Delite. I sat on one of the benches and enjoyed my donut and coffee. Yes, I remember when the old station was here, and how it was dark, depressing, and run down. They did a great job updating this station, and contributed to the revitalization of downtown San Mateo. The train arrived, and I boarded. It was nice steady ride up north towards San Francisco, and I was taking in the sights along the way, while enjoying my coffee. Nice not to worry about keeping an eye on the road like what I do daily for my commute from the Peninsula to San Jose. Soon, the train arrived at the King St. Station in San Francisco. Feeling refreshed, I decided not to board one of the trade show shuttles to the Moscone Center, and walked it instead. I wished I could do this everyday..... read more

Don't get me wrong, I do think the Caltrain is pretty convenient. People are probably going to hate me, but I am glad they are cracking down on checking tickets. I always pay and people should be honest about paying. On my home from here there were these punk teenage boys who tried to skimp with a cheaper ticket... dude just buy the full price if you are going to even buy a ticket... I think he ran off later, but they did catch him as they were checking. Is there even a station here??? I arrived and I was looking around because my friend hadn't picked me up yet. I saw a Melting Pot, but no real train station... at least the last stop there is somewhat of a real station. I also did not appreciate clear signs on how to get to the Northbound side. It's not too hard to figure out that you have to go down steps and cross over, but no signs were placed to help guide a first-timer. It only said "Garage" and I was a little skeptical because I don't know how safe this area is around 10:25PM. I don't want to be trapped underground... Tengo Miedo!! So instead, I walked until where the rail guards end and I walked over the tracks. Also a little scary but at least out in the open. All in all... Caltrain is great, but the stations... don't expect much... better know how to read the schedule and buy the correct ticket. read more

Location of this station is excellent. It's right smack near downtown . Architecturally, because isn't that the most important part of a station?! (j/k) it's not a bad station. I love the way here you can just walk on to the platform and board the train. It's a fairly quick ride, even the local train, into SF so it's a viable alternative to driving in. It's not really cheap and if you have more than 2 people, it's probably cheaper to drive and park in the city. It's not the most frequent at the weekends so that is also something else to take into consideration. read more

For all you people bitching about Caltrain I don't see what's not to love: 1. I buy a ticket at 11:30 for a train that is scheduled for 11:57. 5 minutes before the train is scheduled to arrive I hear over the loudspeaker: "TRAIN 227 IS DELAYED BY 22 MINUTES. TWEETYYY TWOO MINUTES." Someone explain to me how a a train that is on a dedicated track can be late. 2. On my way into San Francisco the train manages to miss the Millbrae stop. This deserves a WTF. So obviously they stick the train in reverse and we haul our 20 ton ass back a quarter mile. This is not normal behavior anywhere else in the world. 3. $4.00. One-way?! Mass transit is supposed to be CHEAP. For the masses right? Right? Running trains one hour apart on a sunday with 22 minute delays is simply not acceptable. Man I love Caltrain. read more

ok ok ok. A review for a train station. Whatev Yea, we go here all the time out of necessity, so what is there to say? Here's what I got: Park here to go out in downtown San Mateo. There are typically spots available when town gets packed. There's a "Melting Pot" restaurant in the station. Who goes there? I've always wondered this. It's such an odd location. read more

Only 3 stars because the parking meter kept telling me the space I put in was am invalid number which is ridiculous, I re checked it 4 times and almost missed my train. .. gggrr now I'm going to stress out all day and hope that I didn't get a ticket... I better not, I will contest the s*** out of it. On the upside, I work in Palo alto just of Hamilton right by university, I get on at San mateo.. the drive there, no problem but after even 3 on any weekday it takes me 2 hours sometimes more just to get home.... it's really convenient in that aspect. I am really hoping I don't get a ticket read more

The best thing about this stop is that there is a fondue place inexplicably integrated into it. It never appears to be open, but I get the warm fuzzies knowing that pounds of melted cheese are in the immediate vicinity. Seriously, this stop is like most along the South Bay commute--generally full of large groups of individuals on their cell phones. It's a good stop for hopping on and off, but beware the underground parking lot passageway that has a strong aroma of recent urination. read more

I was pretty worried for my first day at the San Mateo Station- I use to use Hillsdale Station but moved recently which parking was always full due to construction by 7:45am. I arrived at San Mateo Station around 7:20am and there was tons of parking both on the ground level and underground:) read more

I like how this Caltrain station plants you in the heart of downtown San Mateo where there are a lot of eateries and places to go exploring in. I find it interesting how right when I got off the train, the first thing I noticed was the Fondue Shop right then and there. I think its a dinner only place, but some other time I suppose. Parking here is convenient on the weekends if you plan to go into the city for a Giants game or something. read more

I'm just glad there is a stop near my office because I don't know if I'd be able to hoof it on Samtrans (buses smell horrid). Bonus: Trags is nearby and the Melting Pot is open for happy hour so you can grab a drink before your train arrives! Score! read more

San Mateo Station - Train Stations Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is a nice-looking station, recently rebuilt with a retro style. It's close to downtown with lots of choices for restaurants. On the platforms there are only a few, small shelters so it's not fun to wait here when it's raining or windy. And Caltrain doesn't run as often as I'd like. In recent years they've reduced service despite ridership increasing. read more

San Mateo Station - Caltrain station, San Mateo - Train Stations Near Me - San Mateo, California

I want to give a BIG shout out to Rachael in Customer Service at Caltrain for taking the time today to help me resolve a charge issue. She went 'above and beyond', like Sherlock Holmes, to find proof of the incident. It's not everyday that one gets a high level of service that included patience, asking people who worked that day and hunting through emails to find the information I needed. ~~~~Thank you Rachel!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~ What's the issue? On March 16, 2014 my friend and I were on CalTrain in San Mateo and had to get off because it was temporary out of service due to a bus stuck under neath the train track. Now I'm working on deputing the charge that shouldn't incur since I had to get off & go to another station. But CalTrain nor Clipper can find any reports of this incident. Once again, thank you Rachel for helping me work this out! read more

I really like this location because it's located right along downtown San Mateo which gives you access to a variety of different restaurants and drink places to hang out after work or on a weekend. There's a donut shop nearby that I frequent whenever I have downtime and have time before the next train arrives. read more

great nostalgic train station smack dab in the middle of san mateo its clean and you can get something delicious to eat or drink before or after hopping on/off the train also its a great jump off stop to explore how great downtown san mateo is read more

I'm giving it 4 stars because it's like "killing 2 birds with 1 stone." You have Caltrain and Bart at the same station which makes it super convenient for anyone who takes public transportation to commute to and from any destination here in the bay area. read more

I parked today at San Mateo Caltrain station but when I tried to purchase the daily parking, the system keeps saying the stall number is invalid!! I tried several times and double checked the stall number! It doesn't work! I think I'll be worried all day... read more

such a perfect drop off location for downtown san mateo. all it's lacking is a water fountain. the police station is nearby, plenty of security for late night rides. read more

My husband and I have lived in San Mateo now for a year, but have yet to take Caltrain, until today. Fortunately, we're within walking distance of the station. I can't compare it to other stations, but the bathroom was the most difficult to maneuver - didn't want anything on my person to touch anything in that room - so hard to squat and still get everything inside the toilet. Well, beyond that, it was nice to be able to go up to the city with much ease. But don't want to be on it during commute times, which we did on the way back. SO CROWDED! But I like taking public transportation. read more

Been riding caltrain for 15 years. Every year service has degraded, train quality has deteriorated, and timeliness has gone from one extreme to another. Train ride is now very rough, bumpy and jerky compared to the past. Most annoyingly is the timeliness. Trains used to be on time or most consistently, a few minutes late. But suddenly they're all 3-5 minutes early. I guess the geniuses at caltrain decided this would solve the problem that's plagued them for years... late trains. So you can't even go by the schedule because doing so will probably cause you to miss you train unless you're 10 minutes early. And they won't hold the train. Half the time the ticket machines are broken for card use, so be sure to carry cash. Fares are way overpriced but maybe caltrain is still trying to dig themselves out from near collapse 5 or so years ago. Conductors are hit or miss... They used to be super professional and kind. Unfortunate... I wish caltrain would just stop being ignorant and get it together. It could, and should be the premier travel resource in the bay... but sadly I now rank it down towards the worst of the bay; BART. read more

I used the train to head to redbull flugtag event back on November 10 in SF. It was super easy to buy a ticket and just catch one of the speedy trains into the City. I enjoyed the ride and would love to do it again. Clean and simple. What more do you want people??? Have fun and take the train!! read more

The first part will be my shtick about Caltrain as a whole and will be used in all my reviews. Caltrain is a efficient way to get around the Peninsula without having to park. As long as there are no incidents or attempted suicides the trains are on time. I can't always say that about Bart. The zone payment system is a great way to let people plan their trips by their budget. The stations are available as long as you want to go somewhere along El Camino Real. Anything else requires a bus ride or two. It's great for what it does; it gets people from one place to another in a relatively short amount of time. This station should really only get two stars like RWC, but the downtown is more busy and that hustle and bustle is what counts. The atmosphere around the station is much better and very convenient for those movie-goers. The station is a beautiful example of what a REAL train station is: a building and a place to sit and wait for your train. There's much more than just benches and no shade for those hot days. read more

Decent place. As clean as a train station can be, I think. A little supervision could be helpful when kids are sitting there smoking pot and drinking out of paper bags, but whatever. We were all young once. I feel safe enough. read more

Caltrain...don't you ever clean your stations? The San Mateo station is filthy!! Barf, spit, spills, urine smell - it's just disgusting! I've seen the same coffee spills by the newspaper stand & the bench last Tuesday - a week ago. You need to evaluate your cleaning policy. You may be harboring disease because of the filth! read more

Its a cool station. The parking is a good size. Its close to many shops and resturants. Also a 24 hr fitness!

Convenient way to get to SF and bart station from and to this lovely town. It is also pretty clean and doesn't smell like NY subways.

This station is a close walk to Downtown San Mateo. There seems to be plenty of parking, but I don't park on this end. There is a bar inside the station that always has happy hour specials. They also keep their train schedule well updated! Only downside is, no bathroom! read more

Stop blowing your dam horns in the Middle of the night .. Everyone can hear the train coming. No need to blow retarded choo,choo Train horns...! read more

Parking for Caltrain is at the lower level of the structure while the upper level is city parking. The walkway to get to the otherside of the platform needs some work because it looks scary and dirty but once on the platform it's fine. I usually use this spot whenever my boyfriend and I go to a Giants game. read more

Caltrain sucks. I just purchased a one way ticket from belmont to san mateo this morning, but they announced that the train would be 25 minutes late. So in order to get to work on time I took a cab ride to san mateo. since I still had a ticket from the morning I jumped on the train a few hours later to get back to belmont, where I had dropped my car off for repairs. As I was about to get off at the Belmont station, they asked for my ticket, and noticed that it had expired about 1 hour before, so they wrote me up a ticket. I couldn't believe it. Has anyone else had this experience? I am definitely going to protest it at court, and vow to never ride Caltrain again. I was ticketed by a conductor who looked like Hitler but about 300 pounds heavier. I probably could have just started to run away at the station since he probably would have had a heart attack trying to catch me. This is fXXcking ridiculous, I assume that they have been hit by budget cut backs and are trying to do whatever it takes to recoup the money, but targeting innocent paying passengers is unacceptable. read more