SFO is the second largest airport in California and navigating your ground transportation options can be tricky. There are so many different ways to get from San Francisco airport to downtown San Francisco. Trying to figure it out on the fly while disoriented from a long flight is a recipe for confusion. This guide will take you through the six different ways that you get from SFO to downtown SF.
Read through to find out all of your options, or use this handy table of contents to skip down to your preferred option.
- How do I get from San Franciso airport to SF on Bay Area Rapid Transit subway (BART)?
- How do I get from San Francisco airport to SF using Uber or Lyft?
- How do I catch a Taxi from the airport to downtown?
- How to I take the SamTrans bus from the SFO to the city?
- How do I catch a Shared van shuttle?
- How do I take Caltrain from San Francisco to downtown SF?
FAQ: San Francisco Airport to San Francisco
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about SF airport transportation.
What is the Cheapest Way to Get from SFO to Downtown?
The SamTrans bus is the cheapest. The fare is only $2.25.
What is the Fastest Way to Get Downtown?
A taxi, Lyft or Uber will be your fastest option. Even in heavy traffic, they are faster than the other options because you can do curbside pick-up (sort of, see below regarding Uber) and then go door to door. In light traffic it will take 25 minutes and in heavy traffic, it it will take up to 40 minutes.
How Do I Get Downtown If I’m Arriving in the Wee Hours?
Bart and the bus don’t run between midnight and 5AM. If you are arriving outside of those hours, you’ll need to take a taxi, Uber or Lyft.
How Much is a Taxi from SFO to Downtown?
Since SFO is the closest airport to San Francisco, taxi fare will also be cheaper from there. A cab to SF will cost approximately $65 during normal traffic.
Can Lyft/Uber pick you up at SFO?
Yes, but only at very specific locations (see below).
What follows are more detailed instructions, including the pros/cons of each transportation option, how much they cost and where to catch them. For simplicity, I’ve estimated transportation times and rates going from San Francisco Airport to Union Square as there are many hotels clustered there. If you aren’t sure where to stay, get my local’s advice for the best areas to stay in San Francisco.
How to Take Bart from SFO to Downtown
Where to Catch Bart at SFO
The BART station is adjacent to the international terminal. If you are using a domestic terminal, then catch the AirTrain and ride the loop to the BART station.
How Much Time Does BART Take?
The trains run every ~20 minutes and takes 30 minutes to get downtown. It runs 10 stops between the airport and Powell street (which is the closest to Union Square).
How Much Does BART Cost?
The one-way fare is $10. If you will be using other public transportation while in SF, I strongly recommend that your purchase a reloadable Clipper Card from the SFO station. The fares on BART, SF’s MUNI bus line, cable cars and trams are all cheaper with the card and using it is much easier than purchasing 1-off tickets. You have to tag on to get into the station and then tag off again to get out.
Pros & Cons to using BART at SFO
- PROS: Because they make multiple stops through the city, you have a choice of where to get off, which works if you are staying in the Mission or the Civic Center area. Getting to the station is pretty easy from all of the terminals. It’s much cheaper than a taxi/Uber/Lyft.
- CONS: The trains sometimes run late. It’s dirtier and noisier than the other options.
How to Catch an Uber or Lyft to Downtown SF
Where to Catch Uber or Lyft at SFO
SFO does allow Uber and Lyft to operate at the airport. However, they’re kinda weird about where you need to go to catch your ride. SFO does not allow a curbside pick-up from the domestic terminals. You’ll need to follow the signs that say “Ride App Pick-up” (not “Shared Ride Van”, that’s something different). These signs will direct you to the top deck of the short term parking garage, because of course, that’s the most sensible place to catch an Uber.
The international terminal has a more logical pick-up and drop-off in the center island of the upstairs departures area.
How Much Time Does Uber Take to Get into SF?
In low traffic, it can take as little as 25 minutes or up to 40 minutes during rush hour.
How Much do Uber and Lyft Cost at SFO?
Normal pricing is ~$45 for both services. All bets are off during surge pricing.
Pros/Cons to using Ride Share at SFO
- PROS: Door to door service and it’s cheaper than a cab. It’s usually the fastest way to get from SFO to the city.
- CONS: You do have to wait for your ride to arrive, usually 10-15 minutes. It’s easy to get lost trying to find the pick-up spot in the domestic terminal.
How to Catch a Taxi to Downtown SF
Where to Catch a Taxi at San Francisco Airport
All of the terminals have an easy to find cab stand in the center island of the downstairs arrivals pick-up area.
How Much Time Does it Get to Get to SF in a Cab?
In low traffic, it can take as little as 25 minutes or up to 40 minutes during rush hour. There are usually cabs waiting to meet arriving flights.
How much does a cab from SFO to SF cost?
A cab to SF will cost ~$65 during normal traffic.
Pros/Cons to taking a taxi from San Francisco Airport
- PROS: Good if you don’t like using the shared ride services. Super easy to find the pick-up area and you don’t have to drag your luggage all over the parking lot to catch a ride. Door to door service. Door to door service.
- CONS: It’s the most expensive option.
How to Catch Bus Transportation from San Francisco Airport to Downtown
Where to Catch the Bus at SFO
There are pick-up locations in terminals 2 and 3, and also at the international terminal. They are located in the downstairs arrivals area in the center island where you’ll also find other shuttle services.
How Much Time Does the Bus Take From SFO to SF?
The SamTrans airport routes to downtown includes the 292, 397, 398 and ECR/OWL bus lines. They run approximately every half hour and they go semi-express to SF’s downtown financial district. They take roughly 30 minutes to get there. You can check the routes and times here.
How much does the SFO bus cost?
It will cost $2.25 to purchase a single ticket.
Pros/Cons for using a Bus from SFO
- PROS: It’s cheap and it makes fewer stops than BART.
- CONS: Risk of a slower ride during rush hour. They run less frequently than BART. Not convenient if you are staying in the Mission or SOMA neighborhoods.
How to Catch a Shared Van Shuttle
Airport Express runs service from San Francisco airport to downtown SF and you can schedule an advance reservation.
Where to Catch a Shuttle at SFO
They direct you to call them when you arrive and they’ll tell you where to go. Or, just follow the signs for “shared van ride”, which will direct you to the downstairs arrives island.
How Much Time Does a Shuttle Take to Get Downtown?
You will need to wait for a van to arrive. Once on the way, it will take 25 minutes to an hour, depending upon how many drop-offs they are doing.
How Much Does an SFO Shuttle Cost?
$75 one way.
Pros/Cons to Using an SFO Shuttle
- PROS: Good for a larger family group, if you want door to door service.
- CONS: More waiting time. Prices have gone up a lot in recent years.
If you are trying to figure out whether you should rent a car in SF, read our article on the topic. It will give you guidance on whether an SF rental car is worth it. If you are flying into SF and out of another airport, use our California airports guide to figure out your options.
SCORE A RENTAL CAR DEAL
Make sure you get the best possible deal when renting a car. Compare across brands at Rentalcars.com. Or look for special member deals at Avis, Hertz, Budget or Enterprise.
Should You Take Caltrain from SFO to SF?
No. Getting to the Millbrae Caltrain station requires a bus or BART transfer. By the time you do that rigmarole, you could have simply taken BART all the way in. Also, Caltrain runs less frequently than BART, especially during non-peak hours. That said, Caltrain is good if you want to go south down the peninsula toward San Jose. In that case, take the SamTrans bus to the Millbrae station.
Get more airport advice with our guide for how to get from San Jose Airport to SFO, this related article on how to get from SFO to San Jose.
Cool Stuff to do in SF
Once you find your way into the city, use these articles to help you have fun while there:
- Use our first timer’s guide to SF to help plan your trip.
- Unusual and non-touristy things to do in San Francisco.
- Find murals in the Mission.
- Our favorite walks in SF.
- Check out the best bookstores in SF.
- Find some epic Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints.
- Get advice on where to take great photography in San Francisco.
- Spend a day exploring hiking and history at Angel Island State Park.
Help your friends get from San Francisco airport to downtown SF and pin this article:
The airport wxpress from San Francisco airport to downtown was quoting $75 one way mid day per person! When I tried to ask who websites were quoting $19 one way a couple months ago, he yelled at me! I guess when super shuttle closes the price gouging starts.
Ouch! So much cheaper to catch an Uber or Taxi.
Awesome, thank you very much!