San Francisco Travel Planner's Guide - 2025/2026 TPG
Transportation Basics
2025-05-14 12:27:22
SAN FRANCISCO IS EASY TO GET TO FROM PRACTICALLY ANYWHERE, THANKS TO SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ITS WEB OF CONNECTIVITY IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND.
GETTING TO AND FROM SFO
BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT (BART)
BART is a fast, inexpensive way to get from SFO to San Francisco. To get to BART at SFO, take the free SFO AirTrain. Just follow the signs to AirTrain when you deplane or from Baggage Claim.
Travelers can take the Red or Blue AirTrain line to the Garage G/BART station in the International Terminal and purchase a ticket from dedicated ticket machines.
A one-way BART ticket to downtown
San Francisco costs $11.15 and $22.30 (RT), plus a surcharge for a new Clipper card. A Clipper card purchase is necessary to ride. After you have your card, hop on the BART train going to San Francisco/Antioch to get downtown and beyond.
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 begin at 4 a.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit bart.gov.
RIDE SHARING
With app-based services, including Lyft and Uber, travelers can arrange via smartphone to ride with drivers using their personal vehicles. These services pick up on the roof of the center garage for domestic terminals and the Departures/Ticketing level of the international terminal. Fares and travel times vary according to demand and traffic, but it typically takes 30 minutes and costs upward of $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. 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 Claim 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 $46 to $66. For a limousine, arrange service in advance with your company of choice 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 the downtown Salesforce Transit Center on the 292, 397 and 398 lines for $2–$5 one-way for adults.
ALTERNATE AIRPORTS
Both the Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the San Jose Airport (SJC) offer several transportation options to San Francisco, including BART from OAK and CalTrain commuter rail from SJC, as well as taxis, shuttles, ride sharing, limousines, rental cars and more.
GETTING AROUND SAN FRANCISCO
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 in stations. You can purchase tickets and passes in advance with the MuniMobile app.
Cable cars and street cars are San Francisco’s historical public transit. Cable cars are located downtown and run on three lines: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California St. The F-Line streetcar runs up and down Market St. and all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. Travelers can purchase tickets in advance at multiple locations or using the MuniMobile app.
TAXI
As is customary in most U.S. cities, visitors may hail a taxi directly or use an app like Flywheel.
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. You can also keep Clipper on your phone! The service is compatible with both Apple Pay and Google Pay.
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