If you are planning on taking light rail or a VTA bus to Super Bowl 50 this Sunday at Levi's Stadium, here's the key thing to know:

You need to approach this trip as if you were boarding a flight at the airport.

You must buy your $20 transit ticket ahead of time. Have your SB50 game ticket in hand. Know which stations will skip some light-rail stops and shave time off your trip. Get to the station early, as waiting lines could be long. Factor in extra time for security checks. Forget any sizeable carry-on items, including purses larger than 4 inches by 6 inches.

And a smartphone is a must.

The Valley Transportation Authority expects to transport 12,000 passengers on light rail, fewer than the 16,000 it carried to WrestleMania to the stadium, but a more realistic number given the heightened security. "It's a number we are comfortable with," said Kevin Solon, who is in charge of transportation planning for the NFL.

Hotels and motels near VTA corridors -- along First Street and in downtown San Jose -- are almost all full, VTA officials say, but it's hard to know how many of those visitors will rely on transit. Still, there are sure to be questions from both regular riders and visitors banking on light rail as the most direct way to the game and parties.


"I was going to take the train to downtown San Jose to meet friends and watch the game," said Kyle Garcia, a Denver Broncos fan from the Almaden Valley. "But will there be trains for someone like me who wants to stay clear of the madhouse in Santa Clara?"

Yes, regular passengers will have access to trains, but not the special stadium-bound ones. If there is confusion, just ask. The VTA will have 160 "ambassadors" in blue jackets with fluorescent yellow vests at 14 stops to field questions. Dozens of sheriff's deputies and transit officers will also be on duty for security checks and to assist puzzled riders.

The biggest difference between a regular game day and this Sunday is that Super Bowl-bound riders must have both a game ticket in hand along with a transit ticket purchased ahead of time on their smartphone via VTA's EventTIK mobile app. The image on the phone is the proof of purchase. And light-rail passengers will undergo security screening before boarding.

Round-trip transit tickets will cost $20 no matter how far you travel. Although the amount is much higher than last year's $8 fare to the stadium, it's not price gouging. The increased service costs the VTA $38 per rider; last year the agency lost $109,000 on Levi's events.

"There is no estimate yet on service costs for the Super Bowl, but it's safe to say VTA is not making a profit on this event," spokeswoman Stacey Hendler Ross said.

Fares for regular service will remain the same on Sunday.

Faster, limited-stop light-rail service to Levi's will be available from 13 train stations: Alum Rock, Capitol, Civic Center, Convention Center, Mountain View, Great Mall/Main, I-880/Milpitas, Metro/Airport, Ohlone/Chynoweth, Diridon, Santa Teresa, Tasman and Winchester. Those trains will have "SB50" head signs.

Three light-rail stations will be closed on game day -- NASA/Bayshore, Moffett Park and Champion -- although trains will still run through.

Here are other tips to make the journey easier, depending on what form of public transit you'll be taking:

Taking VTA light rail: Limited stop service to the stadium will be available at 13 of 61 stations, plus express bus from Fremont. Trains will have SB50 signs on the front.

Taking VTA bus: Lines 140 and 330 will be rerouted around the stadium. The 55 bus from De Anza College, the 57 from West Valley College and the 60 from the Winchester transit center all go to Levi's.

Taking Caltrain: If taking Caltrain south from San Francisco or the Peninsula, you must disembark at Mountain View and transfer to light rail with your $20 ticket and game ticket. Because of increased security, it will take at least 30 minutes to get from here to the stadium.

Taking BART: In the East Bay, BART passengers should ride to the end of the line in Fremont and transfer to VTA express bus 251 to Levi's.