2017-11-13 03:41:35
SAN FRANCISCO IS EASY TO GET TO FROM PRACTICALLY ANYWHERE, THANKS MAINLY TO SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ITS WEB OF CONNECTIVITY IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND. GETTING TO SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco International Airport (SFO) SFO sits 14 miles south of San Francisco’s downtown Financial District. Business travelers choose from a variety of easy transport options from SFO. BART BART rapid rail is a fast, inexpensive way to get from SFO to San Francisco. To get to BART at SFO, take the free SFO AirTrain tram. Just follow the signs to Airtrain from Baggage Claim. Travelers can take the Red or Blue AirTrain line to the Garage G and BART stop in the International Terminal and then hop on the BART train going to San Francisco/Pittsburg/ Baypoint. If you pre-purchased a BART ticket voucher online, redeem it for a BART ticket by taking the Blue line AirTrain to International Terminal G. Exit the tram there, turn right and go down the escalator to the SFO Information Desk below the escalator on the right. A round-trip BART ticket from SFO to downtown San Francisco is approximately $20. Conference attendees can purchase a BART SFO Voucher in advance, online at flysfo. com/to-from/public-transit, bart.gov/airports or at Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and numerous online travel sites and on participating partner conference sites. SFO trains arrive/depart three to four times per hour until 11:50 p.m. daily. The ride to downtown San Francisco takes about 30 minutes. BART services resume at 4 a.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. on Sundays. RIDE-SHARING APPS With app-based services, including Lyft, Uber, Sitbaq and Wingz, attendees arrange via smartphone app to ride with drivers using their personal vehicles. These services pick up at the curb on the Departures/Ticketing Level of all terminals. Fares and travel times vary according to demand and traffic, but it typically takes 30 minutes and costs $30-40 to get from SFO to the city. SHARED VAN & SHUTTLE SERVICE Several shared-ride vans provide service from SFO. The one-way rate to the city center is approximately $17. In the Domestic Terminals, shuttles pick up passengers curbside on the Arrivals Level terminal. In the International Terminal, passenger pick-up is on the Arrivals Level roadway center island. TAXIS & LIMOUSINES SFO is served by a number of taxi and limousine companies. Taxis depart from islands on the lower level outside the arrivals/baggage claims area in all terminals. Taxi coordinators work from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. All cabs are metered. The travel time to popular drop-off points is usually around 30 minutes (depending on traffic) and fares range from $45-60. For a limousine, arrange service in advance with the company or upon arrival via the Lodging, Transportation and Attraction Boards, which provide free phone connections to participating limousine operators and are located on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals. SAMTRANS BUSES The San Mateo County Transit Agency (SamTrans) runs public buses between SFO and downtown San Francisco’s Transbay Center on the KX, 292, 397 and 398 lines for $2-$5 one-way for adults. ALTERNATE AIRPORTS Oakland International Airport (OAK) or San Jose Airport (SJC) both offer several transportation options to San Francisco, including BART rapid rail from OAK and Caltrain commuter rail from SJC, as well as taxis, shuttles, ride sharing, limousines and rental cars. GETTING AROUND SAN FRANCISCO MUNI Muni is San Francisco’s bus and Metro system that runs throughout the city. Muni buses remain above ground while Muni Metro sometimes goes underground. Bus stops come in many forms: bus shelters, yellow paint on street poles and white paint on streets. Metro stops can be found on an island in the middle of the street and stations. For all Muni routes, times and buses, call 511. The 511 SF Bay Transit Trip Planner app provides maps, routes and times. CABLE CARS Cable cars and street cars are San Francisco’s historical public transit cars. Cable cars are located downtown and run on three lines; Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California Street. The F-Line streetcar runs up and down Market Street all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. Travelers can pay the conductor onboard the streetcar or purchase tickets in advance at multiple locations or using the MuniMobile app. RIDE SHARING Uber and Lyft offer options to request a private car service as well as shared options called Lyft Line and uberPOOL for a discounted rate. Korral, a new app developed specifically for convention attendees, offers ride sharing management solutions. TAXI As is customary in most U.S. cities, visitors may hail a taxi directly or use an app. SAN FRANCISCO VISITOR PASSPORT & CITYPASS Visitor Passports and CityPASS are useful because they provide unlimited rides on Muni, Muni Metro, historic streetcars and cable cars. Tickets and passes can be purchased around the city, including at the San Francisco Travel Visitor Information Center at the Powell and Market cable car turnaround at 900 Market St. CLIPPER CARD The Clipper Card is an easy way to use public transportation throughout San Francisco. Purchasing this pre-loaded card gives you access to BART, Muni buses, Muni Metro and cable cars. Cards can be bought at multiple locations and refilled at Muni/BART stations.
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