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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of three airports in the San Francisco area and is served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. BART operates a rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco and the East Bay directly from SFO. The BART station is located in the International Terminal, and trains run from 4:58 am to midnight on weekdays and from 5:47 am to midnight on weekends. The AirTrain, which operates within the airport, provides year-round service 24 hours a day, with station departures as frequent as every four minutes. The Red Line connects all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO, while the Blue Line connects Long-Term Parking, the Rental Car Center, all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the train service | Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) |
| Train line | Yellow Line (San Francisco/Antioch) or Red Line (San Francisco/Richmond) |
| Train stations | Four downtown San Francisco BART stations |
| Train timings | Weekdays: 4:58 a.m. (first train departing SFO) to Midnight. Saturdays: 5:47 a.m. (first train departing SFO) to Midnight. Sundays: 8:08 a.m. (first train departing SFO) to Midnight |
| Payment methods | Contactless credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Clipper Card |
| Other modes of transport | Taxi, Uber, Lyft, shuttle van, public transit bus |
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What You'll Learn
- Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains connect the airport to downtown San Francisco
- BART trains also connect the airport to downtown Oakland
- BART trains are accessible for wheelchair users
- The AirTrain Blue Line connects the airport terminals to the Rental Car Center and Long-Term Parking
- The AirTrain Red Line connects the airport terminals to each other, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains connect the airport to downtown San Francisco
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a rapid transit system that covers much of the San Francisco area. BART trains connect San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown San Francisco. The BART station at SFO is located in the International Terminal. To get there, walk straight ahead and turn left at the art exhibit after leaving customs. The BART system operates from 5 am to midnight, with the first train departing SFO at 4:58 am on weekdays, 5:47 am on Saturdays, and 8:08 am on Sundays. The last train departs at midnight.
Taking the BART from SFO to downtown San Francisco is a convenient option, with a travel time of about half an hour. The BART line from SFO has stops along Market Street near Union Square and the convention center. To get to other destinations in the city, such as Fisherman's Wharf or Van Ness, you'll need to transfer to another form of transportation. From the four downtown San Francisco BART stations, it's an easy walk or a short cab ride to most hotels and the Moscone Convention Center.
There are a few things to keep in mind when taking the BART from SFO. First, it's a good idea to use the toilets before leaving the airport, as most BART stations do not have them. Second, you'll need to know which stop you're getting off at before boarding to ensure you add enough fare to your ticket. You can pay for BART using physical contactless credit or debit cards, mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, or the Clipper Card, which is the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card. Finally, if you have luggage, it can be stowed under your seat or held in your lap, and there is also space near the doors to accommodate larger items.
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BART trains also connect the airport to downtown Oakland
BART, or Bay Area Rapid Transit, is a rapid transit system that covers much of the San Francisco area. It is possible to take the BART train from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown Oakland. The BART station is located in the International Terminal. To get there, turn right when leaving customs, take the escalator up to the departures level, walk straight, turn left at the art exhibit, and you'll see the station entrance.
To get to downtown Oakland, board a Yellow Line (San Francisco/Antioch) train or a Red Line (San Francisco/Richmond) train to the 12th St/City Center Station. The train will take you right into downtown Oakland, just a few blocks from Oakland Chinatown and Jack London Square. The ride from the airport to downtown Oakland will take about half an hour, but it's recommended to allow closer to an hour to account for buying tickets and waiting for the train.
The BART system operates from 5 am to midnight, with the last train departing at midnight. On weekdays, the first train departs SFO at 4:58 am, while on Saturdays it departs at 5:47 am and on Sundays at 8:08 am. The BART trains run frequently, with departures as often as every four minutes.
The BART Tap and Ride system allows riders to pay adult fares at BART fare gates using contactless credit or debit cards, or mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Clipper Cards, the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card, can also be used to pay for rides on BART. These cards can be purchased from machines at the SFO BART station or added to a mobile wallet.
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BART trains are accessible for wheelchair users
Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, provides rapid rail service from San Francisco International Airport to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay. BART trains are accessible for wheelchair users.
All BART stations have accessible elevators, and extra-wide fare gates for passengers with disabilities. In some stations, you may need to use two different elevators to get from the street to the train platform level. If you arrive at a station and are unable to enter or exit because the elevator is not working, contact the Station Agent, who will help you enter or exit in another way if possible. You can also call the BART Transit Information Center to find out about alternative transit options. Elevator status alerts are available, and you can check the status of elevator operation at any station by calling (510) 834-LIFT or (888) 2-ELEVAT.
All BART stations also have escalators, which generally operate in the direction of the main passenger flow. Wheelchairs are not allowed on the escalators.
On BART trains, there is priority seating to the left of the door on all trains for seniors and people with disabilities. All trains can accommodate wheelchair users to the right of the doorway. In some BART cars, a space to the right of the door is reserved for passengers in wheelchairs, with the international access symbol marking the outside of these cars. The two designated areas for people who use wheelchairs have floor-to-ceiling poles removed to maximize accessible paths, and doors on the new train cars are marked to show which doors have these zones. Signs indicating the station name are visible from inside the train, and train operators announce the name of each station as well as transfer information as the train approaches.
BART provides ADA paratransit service to eligible individuals whose disability prevents them from accessing, boarding, or riding BART trains. Service is provided by lift vans and is generally by reservation only. Stations with parking have specially designated Disabled Person (DP) parking spaces.
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The AirTrain Blue Line connects the airport terminals to the Rental Car Center and Long-Term Parking
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has an automated people mover system called AirTrain, which operates 24 hours a day, with station departures as frequent as every four minutes. The AirTrain is wheelchair accessible and free of charge, although it is funded by a fee charged to rental car customers.
The AirTrain operates on two lines: the Red Line and the Blue Line. The Red Line travels in a clockwise loop around the central terminal area, connecting all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO. The Blue Line, on the other hand, travels in a counterclockwise loop, serving the same stations in reverse order. It also extends to Westfield Road, the Rental Car Center, and long-term parking.
The AirTrain Blue Line is particularly useful for those needing to access the Rental Car Center or long-term parking. It provides a direct connection between all the terminals and these locations, which was previously only accessible via a free airport shuttle bus. The entire loop on the Blue Line takes about 25 minutes to complete.
It is important to note that due to routine maintenance between 11 pm and 5 am, the AirTrain's operation may differ from normal, and travel times may be extended.
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The AirTrain Red Line connects the airport terminals to each other, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a convenient and accessible airport train service. The AirTrain Red Line is a free service that operates 24 hours a day, with departures as frequent as every four minutes. This train line is an efficient way to navigate the airport and its facilities.
The AirTrain Red Line connects the airport terminals, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO. The BART Station, short for Bay Area Rapid Transit, is located within the International Terminal. The Red Line travels in a clockwise loop, connecting all terminals and terminal garages. This includes Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. The entire loop takes approximately nine minutes to complete.
Passengers can easily access the AirTrain from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 by taking the elevator or escalator to Mezzanine - Level 3 and crossing the passenger skybridge. For those departing from Terminal 3, the pedestrian bridge and Garage F pedestrian tunnel are currently closed, but alternate paths are in place, with clear signage to guide passengers to the Terminal 3 AirTrain Station.
The BART Station at SFO offers rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay. From the airport, passengers can take the BART train to downtown San Francisco, with the ride lasting about half an hour. The BART system operates from 4:58 am on weekdays, with the first train departing SFO, and until midnight. On Saturdays, the first train departs at 5:47 am, and on Sundays, the service begins at 8:08 am.
In addition to the Red Line, the AirTrain also features a Blue Line, which travels in a counterclockwise loop. The Blue Line connects Long-Term Parking and the Rental Car Center to all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO. This loop takes about 25 minutes to complete.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train from San Francisco Airport (SFO). The BART station is located in the International Terminal.
The train from San Francisco Airport goes to downtown San Francisco. The ride takes about half an hour, but it's recommended to allow for closer to an hour to account for buying tickets and waiting for the train.
The cost of the train depends on your destination. A one-way ride to a stop near Union Square costs less than a movie ticket.
