San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 21 km south of downtown.
Options at a glance
| Option | Time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BART | ~30 min | ~$10–11 | Most travellers |
| Uber / Lyft | 25–45 min | $35–60 | Groups, luggage |
| Taxi | 25–45 min | $50–70 | Late night |
| Shared shuttle | 45–75 min | ~$20–25 pp | Solo, door to door |
BART
Take the AirTrain to the BART station at the International Terminal (G). Trains run to Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery and Embarcadero. Tap a Clipper card, Clipper in your phone wallet or a contactless bank card. Trains run from about 5am (later at weekends) to around midnight.
Uber, Lyft and taxis
Rideshare pickups are on the departures level of the garage areas; follow the signs. Taxis wait on the arrivals level. Prices rise at rush hour.
Compare car rental in San FranciscoRenting a car?
Not needed in the city, where parking is costly and break-ins are common. Rent only for Napa, Big Sur or Yosemite.
Tips
- Set up an eSIM before you land so maps and rideshare apps work at once.
- Oakland airport (OAK) also connects to San Francisco via BART.
FAQ: SFO to San Francisco
How long is BART from SFO to downtown?
About 30 minutes to Powell Street.
Can I pay for BART with a credit card?
Yes, contactless bank cards and phone wallets work at the fare gates, as does a Clipper card.
More San Francisco guides
- San Francisco travel guide
- 25 best things to do in San Francisco
- San Francisco itinerary: 2, 3 or 4 days
- Where to stay in San Francisco
- Best time to visit San Francisco
- Alcatraz tickets
- Golden Gate Bridge guide
- San Francisco cable cars
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