How to Buy

One-way tickets and Day Passes can be purchased on the Caltrain Mobile app or at station Ticket Machines. Monthly passes are available only on Clipper®, the regional fare payment system.

Clipper

Clipper® is a reloadable fare payment system that’s used to store a Caltrain Monthly Pass and/or cash to use for fare payment. Add a Clipper card to your mobile wallet (using Apple Pay, Google Pay, the Clipper or Caltrain mobile app) to tap on with ease.  

Caltrain Station Ticket Machines

The Caltrain station ticket machines accept coins, bills and credit or Visa/Mastercard debit cards. Tickets must be purchased on day of travel.

Caltrain Mobile

The Caltrain Mobile app lets you purchase and use fares instantly on your phone. Tickets must be purchased and activated at time of travel. American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa credit/debit cards, and PayPal are accepted payment methods.

Parking Permit

Caltrain customers who have a Monthly Pass loaded on their Clipper card may purchase one Monthly Parking Permit from the station vending ticket machine (“TVM”) or Caltrain headquarters. Parking permits may be purchased from the 21st of the previous month that the permit is valid until the 15th of the month the permit is valid. Parking permits are not sold at retail outlets. Visit the Monthly Parking Permit for Clipper page form more information. Parking permits are NOT available on the Caltrain Mobile app.

One-Day Parking Permit

Ticket machine:   

  1. Take note of your parking stall number.   
  2. Go to the Caltrain ticket vending machine (“TVM”).  
  3. Select “Daily Parking”.  
  4. When prompted, type in your parking stall number.  
  5. Insert cash or credit card.  
  6. Take your receipt from the bottom tray of the ticket machine. 

Caltrain Mobile App:  

  1. Take note of your parking stall number.   
  2. Go to the Caltrain mobile app.  
  3. Select “Products”.  
  4. Select “Buy Products”.  
  5. Select “Caltrain Daily Parking Permit”.  
  6. Select your station.   
  7. Enter your parking space number.   
  8. Select “Checkout”.  
  9. Select your method of payment.  
  10. Select “Confirm”.  

Caltrain Headquarters

Customers may load Clipper cards and purchase Monthly Parking permits (with eligible transit products) at Caltrain's administrative ticket office in San Carlos (1250 San Carlos Ave.). For ticket booth sales hours, visit https://www.caltrain.com/about-caltrain/contact-us

American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa credit cards, ATM debit cards, prepaid transit benefit cards and paper transit benefit checks, such as Commuter Checks, may be used to purchase the items.  Prepaid transit benefit cards or checks may only be used for the designated product indicated on the card or check: transit or parking. For instance, a transit card/check cannot be used to purchase parking. Check with your employer's transit benefit coordinator for details.