Roberta Aguirre
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is well-connected to the city and its surrounding areas through various modes of public transportation. Getting from the airport to San Francisco by bus is possible through the SamTrans bus service, which operates 24/7 and connects SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto. To reach Chinatown, you can take the Muni bus service, which can be paid for using the Clipper Card. The Clipper Card is an all-in-one transit card that allows you to access various modes of public transportation throughout the Bay Area, including Muni buses, BART, Metro, and cable cars. You can purchase a Clipper Card at multiple locations, including the SFO BART station, or add it to your phone through Apple Pay or Google Pay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of the city |
| Transport Options | Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Caltrain, SamTrans, Private Transfer, Taxi |
| Transport Cards | Clipper Card, Visitor's Passport, MuniMobile App |
| Transport Apps | Muni Metro App |
| AirTrain | A free tram service connecting all terminals and the BART station |
| BART Fares | Based on distance travelled; round-trip from SFO to downtown SF is $22.30 ($11.15 one-way) |
| Caltrain Fares | Based on the number of zones travelled through |
| SamTrans Fares | $4 for urban lines |
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What You'll Learn
The best bus routes from San Francisco Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is well-connected to the city and its surrounding areas by bus, train, and light rail. Here are some of the best bus routes to get from San Francisco Airport to your destination:
SamTrans Bus Routes
SamTrans provides several bus routes that serve San Francisco Airport. Route 292 stops directly at the airport terminals, while Route EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center and can be reached from the terminals via the AirTrain Blue Line. Route 292 also services North McDonnell Road and operates during the day and evening. SamTrans operates 24/7 from SFO, with limited late-night services on Routes ECR Owl and 397.
Muni Buses
Muni buses are another option for getting around San Francisco. You can use the MuniMobile app to purchase a 1-day pass for $5, which allows you to ride as many Muni buses and trains as you like within the city.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
While not a traditional bus service, BART provides rapid rail services to San Francisco and the East Bay directly from SFO. The BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (G Gates side) and can be accessed from any terminal via the AirTrain. BART fares can be paid using the Tap and Ride system or with a Clipper Card, which is the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card.
Caltrain
Caltrain provides commuter rail services between San Francisco and San Jose. To transfer to Caltrain from SFO, take a Millbrae-bound BART train and board Caltrain at the Millbrae station. Caltrain operates 7 days a week, with less frequent trains on weekends. Fares are based on the number of zones travelled through.
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Using the Clipper Card for airport transfers
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is well-connected to the city and serves as the preferred airport for visiting San Francisco. The airport is easily accessible via various modes of public transportation throughout the Bay Area. One such convenient option is the Clipper Card, which is the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card.
The Clipper Card allows you to pay for rides on 24 Bay Area transit systems, including BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Muni buses, Caltrain, SamTrans, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and Golden Gate Ferry. BART offers a rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay directly from SFO. To access BART from any terminal at SFO, you can ride the AirTrain, a free tram service, to the Garage G and BART stop in the International Terminal.
Clipper Cards can be purchased from machines at the SFO BART station or from transportation information booths in the arrivals level at Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the departures level at the International Terminal. You can also add the Clipper Card to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay, enabling you to use your mobile device or smartwatch to pay for transportation.
When using the Clipper Card, simply hold the card over a scanner when boarding. Listen for the beep to ensure you have a sufficient balance for your fare. For distance-based fares, remember to tap your card again at the end of your trip to ensure proper fare calculation and to check your remaining balance. Additionally, when using Clipper on your phone, you don't need to open an app. Just hold your phone near a Clipper reader when boarding, and the beeps will indicate the status of your balance.
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Getting to San Francisco city centre by bus
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of the city centre. SFO is well-connected to the city by public transport, including buses. Here are some options for getting to San Francisco city centre by bus:
SamTrans
SamTrans provides 24-hour bus service connecting SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto. SamTrans Route 292 stops directly at the airport terminals, while Route EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center and can be reached from the terminals via the AirTrain Blue Line. The one-way fare for SamTrans buses is $4.
Caltrain
Caltrain provides commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose. Although it is primarily a train service, you can take a bus to Caltrain from San Jose Airport. From there, you can take a train to San Francisco. Caltrain fares are based on the number of zones travelled through.
Muni
Muni is San Francisco's bus and light rail system. You can use a Clipper Card or the MuniMobile app to pay for rides on Muni buses and trains. The Muni Metro app allows you to buy multiple tickets for different types of Muni services, including buses and trains.
BART
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) provides rapid rail service to San Francisco directly from SFO. While BART is primarily a train service, you can use it to connect to bus services in the Bay Area. You can use a Clipper Card or the Tap and Ride system to pay for BART fares.
It is recommended to have a Clipper Card when using public transportation in San Francisco. The Clipper Card is an all-in-one transit card that allows you to access various modes of transportation, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, and SamTrans. You can purchase a Clipper Card at multiple locations, including machines at the SFO BART station, or add it to your mobile wallet.
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SamTrans: 24-hour bus service from the airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 miles south of San Francisco. It is well-connected to the city by various modes of transport, including a 24-hour bus service called SamTrans.
SamTrans operates three lines that connect San Francisco Airport with the city's downtown area: 292, 397, and KX. These lines end at the Transbay Terminal on Market Street, and the first two are urban lines with a fare of $4. Route 292 stops directly at the airport terminals, while Route EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center and can be reached from the terminals via the AirTrain Blue Line. Route 292 also operates during the day and evening along North McDonnell Road.
Limited service is available to and from SFO late at night on Routes ECR Owl and 397. SamTrans fares can be paid using the Clipper Card, which is the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card. The Clipper Card can be purchased from machines at the SFO BART station, added to your Apple Wallet, or used via Google Pay.
In addition to SamTrans, other options for getting from the airport to the city include the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains, which offer a fast, inexpensive, and dependable way to reach San Francisco. BART fares can also be paid using the Clipper Card or the Tap and Ride system.
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Taking the BART train from the airport
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train system provides a rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay directly from SFO. The SFO BART Station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (G Gates side).
To get to the BART station from any terminal, you can ride the SFO AirTrain for free to the Garage G/BART Station stop. Once you have your luggage, follow the signs for AirTrain and take either the Red or Blue AirTrain line to Garage G and the BART stop in International Terminal G.
BART fares are based on the distance travelled and can be paid using the Tap and Ride system or a Clipper Card. Clipper Cards are available for purchase from machines at the SFO BART station, or you can add the Clipper Transit Card to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
If you are in San Francisco, you can take any SFO-bound train from any station. If you are in the East Bay, you may need to transfer to an SFO-bound train. You can use BART’s online Trip Planner for more details.
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Frequently asked questions
SamTrans provides 24-hour service connecting San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Mateo County, parts of San Francisco, and Palo Alto. SamTrans Route 292 stops directly at the airport terminals, while Route EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center and can be reached from the terminals by taking the AirTrain Blue Line.
The most recommended way of getting from the airport to the city centre is by taking the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train. Within 20 to 30 minutes, you can get to the city's downtown area for around $11.15 one way. The BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (Boarding Area G side). You can easily access the BART station from any terminal by taking the AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop.
The AirTrain is a free tram service that connects all four terminals at SFO. There is no charge to board the AirTrain.
The Clipper Card is a transit card that can be used to pay for rides on 24 Bay Area transit systems, including BART, Muni, Caltrain, SamTrans, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and Golden Gate Ferry. Clipper Cards can be purchased from machines at the SFO BART station or added to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Having a Clipper Card will make your travels around San Francisco much easier.
