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Commuting in Burlingame: Caltrain, Shuttle + More

Burlingame Caltrain Station platform at sunrise with Spanish Revival–style station building, palm trees, benches, and digital departure sign

Photo Credit: City of Burlingame

Public Transport in Burlingame

Even with Broadway Station limited to weekend service, Burlingame remains one of the Peninsula’s most convenient home bases for commuters, thanks to its quick access to Millbrae’s intermodal hub, free shuttle connections, and proximity to both Caltrain and BART.

Broadway Station Today

Broadway Caltrain Station is currently weekend-only, a change that’s been in place since 2005 due to its narrow center platform and low ridership. On weekdays, residents rely on connections through nearby Millbrae Station, just one stop south, which serves as the Peninsula’s key intermodal hub. The station at Broadway still offers parking spaces and bike racks for those using weekend service or connecting shuttles.

Millbrae: The Peninsula’s Transit Hub

Millbrae Station is the region’s largest intermodal transit hub, offering Caltrain, BART, and SamTrans bus connections in one location. It has nearly 2,900 parking spaces, bike amenities, and frequent service north to San Francisco or south to Silicon Valley. For Burlingame residents, Millbrae effectively serves as the weekday stand-in for Broadway until service returns.

The Millbrae Transit Center (Caltrain + BART) sits just about 2 miles south of Downtown Burlingame along El Camino Real. By car it’s usually a 5–10 minute drive, depending on traffic. By bike, it’s roughly a 10–12 minute ride. And for residents near Broadway Station, the Commute.org shuttle connects directly to Millbrae in just a few minutes during weekday peak hours

Shuttle Connections to Millbrae

To bridge the gap, Commute.org operates free weekday shuttles that run during peak commute hours:

  • Millbrae–Burlingame Commuter Shuttle: Links Broadway Caltrain and Millbrae Station with stops at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and residential areas along Adeline Drive. Morning runs begin before 6 a.m. with trips spaced through the peak hours, and return service runs in the afternoon until early evening.
  • Burlingame Bayside Shuttle: Serves the bayside business and hotel corridor along Adrian Road and Old Bayshore Highway, connecting to Millbrae Station during the morning and afternoon commute windows.

Both shuttles are free and open to the public, making them the most practical option for commuters until Broadway reopens on weekdays

SamTrans Bus Routes

Route 292 runs along El Camino Real through Burlingame, Millbrae, and SFO, while late-night Route 397 provides overnight coverage between San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Looking Ahead

The Broadway Grade Separation Project is underway to address safety issues and bring weekday Caltrain service back. Construction is projected to begin in 2025 with completion targeted for 2028, though timelines depend on securing final funding. Once finished, Broadway Station will reemerge as a fully functional weekday stop, improving convenience for Burlingame commuters.

Nearby Cities and Public Transit Times

From Burlingame, the Millbrae Transit Center makes it easy to reach key destinations across the Bay Area:

  • San Francisco – About 25–30 minutes on BART from Millbrae to downtown (Powell St. or Montgomery St.). Caltrain local service takes roughly 30–35 minutes to San Francisco Station.
  • San Jose – Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes by Caltrain, depending on whether you catch a limited-stop train.
  • Palo Alto – Roughly 30–35 minutes on Caltrain, a straight shot south.
  • Oakland– About 50 minutes on BART via transfer at MacArthur, or by combining BART and AC Transit.
  • Berkeley – Approximately 1 hour on BART from Millbrae, with a transfer at MacArthur.
  • San Mateo – Just 5–7 minutes south by Caltrain, making it one of the fastest and easiest trips.

These times vary by schedule and service type, but they show how Burlingame’s central Peninsula location gives residents flexibility—whether heading north into San Francisco, south into Silicon Valley, or across the Bay to Oakland and Berkeley.