How To Get From San Francisco International Airport to Downtown San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the largest airports on the West Coast and is a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The fortress hub is located just outside one of the largest cities in the U.S. and serves a broader region, including Oakland, Napa Valley, and Sacramento. Several transportation options from SFO to downtown San Francisco include public transit, ride-share, and taxi.

In this post, we’ll examine the different ways to get to downtown San Francisco from the airport, the costs, and the pros and cons of each.

Cost Comparison

1. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

The best way to get to downtown San Francisco from the airport is to use the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, San Francisco’s public transportation option. This subway train system goes from the airport to downtown, passing several intermediary stations along the way.

Trains depart from the international terminal, which is walkable from Terminals 1 and 3. BART is also accessible via the free AirTrain system, which serves all terminals. Simply proceed to the AirTrain station outside of the terminal you land at and take it to the international terminal. Exit there, and follow signs to BART. San Francisco International Airport is enormous, so getting to the BART station can be quite an adventure for some folks, especially if you have multiple checked baggage pieces to drag along the way.

The one-way trip downtown costs $5.35, and trains depart very regularly. If you miss a train, another will follow soon after.

To purchase a fare, you’ll need to download a Clipper card on your iPhone or Android device or use a physical Clipper card, which you can purchase at the station. Clipper does not sell paper tickets, so it’s best to download a Clipper card on your phone prior to arriving at the station.

Heading to downtown, you should board an Antioch (yellow line) train or a Richmond bound (red line) train. There are 4 downtown stations you can exit at: Civic Center/UN Plaza, Powell St., Montgomery St, and Embarcadero. You can take a taxi or streetcar to get from some of those stations to your final destination downtown. San Francisco’s subway layout only has 4 stations, and they’re pretty much lined up in a row and don’t serve all of the downtown area. Depending on your final destination, you may find it easier to use a ride-share or taxi.

I’ve taken the BART a number of times, and it’s certainly the cheapest option to downtown. However, depending on the hour of the departure, some travelers may consider the service unsafe.

BART does not have any designated luggage storage on its subway trains, so if you’re taking BART, plan to hold your bags and keep them near you.

2. Ride-Share

If you’re waiting for a Lyft or Uber ride, proceed to the domestic parking garage and head to one of these pickup areas according to the app you’re using and the terminal you’re in:

• Terminal 1 – A/B and B 
• Terminal 2 – C and D
• Terminal 3 – E, F and F/G

You may wish to request your ride a few minutes before arriving in the garage, as it may take your driver some time to navigate through the airport and arrive at the pickup point.

If you’re requesting a premium or “XL” ride, you may be able to get picked up directly at an arrival door at the terminal as follows:

• Terminal 1 – Door 4
• Terminal 2 – Door 4 and 5
• Terminal 3 – Door 11 and 12

This is particularly convenient for travelers with many bags or those who don’t want to walk the extra steps to the garages. Being picked up right at the terminal exit is also convenient, though these vehicles tend to cost more than the regular ones.

For a one-way ride in a regular vehicle, you can expect to pay about $40, plus gratuity. If you choose a premium or larger vehicle, you can expect to pay more, and some companies charge surge pricing depending on demand.

3. Taxis

If you’re using a taxi, you’ll find those on the center island of the arrivals level. Head outside, cross the street, and you’ll see a long line of taxis waiting. If you need help, airport assistants are stationed at each taxi line from 7 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. daily.

Most cab fares will be around $45 to $65 for a one-way trip downtown. A taxi can be economical if you’re traveling with multiple people, as you can split the fare and store your luggage in the trunk. Remember, traffic between the airport and downtown can be particularly rough on weekdays during commuting hours, so you may be charged for extra time or distance, depending on the day’s conditions. You’ll also want to add a tip to your total fare.

4. Hired Car

San Francisco is an economic powerhouse, and it’s not uncommon to see business travelers picked up by a hired car. These come with a professional driver who will meet you in the terminal with signage, assist you with your luggage, and take you to your final destination, usually in a premium vehicle.

You can expect to pay:

• $83 for a luxury sedan
• $106 for a luxury SUV
• $117 for an extra-large luxury SUV

In addition to these fees, you’ll want to add a tip for your ride. When you use a car service, the driver will typically monitor your flight for delays and then meet you at the airport accordingly, so you don’t have to worry if your flight gets in late (or early).

Final Thoughts

With many major tech companies based in San Francisco and its status as a hub for culture, entertainment, and history, San Francisco welcomes many business and personal travelers. Using BART makes getting from the airport very easy, but more premium options are available for those who want a private car, either with a ride-share, a taxi, or a hired car. San Francisco’s public transit system doesn’t serve all points in the city, so depending on where you’re headed, you may want to stick with using ride-share or taxi, but if you’re on a budget, a subway can get you close to where you’re headed.