Owais Crawford
There are several ways to get to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). One option is to take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which offers a rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay directly from the airport. The BART station at SFO is located in the International Terminal and is accessible from any terminal via the free AirTrain. Riders can pay for BART using Clipper, the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card, or through the Tap and Ride system. Another option is to take a bus, such as the privately operated Airporters, which travel to pre-arranged stops at a scheduled frequency. Alternatively, travellers can opt for a taxi or ride-share service, such as Uber, to and from the airport. For those driving their own cars, parking is available at BART stations, offering a more affordable option compared to airport parking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) |
| Location | 15 miles from San Francisco; 12.9 miles by road |
| Distance from City | 21 kilometers south of the city |
| Transport Options | BART, Caltrain, taxi, bus, rental car, private car, AirTrain |
| Transport Ease | San Francisco has a comprehensive transport system |
| Travel Time | 16 minutes by car or taxi |
| Travel Cost | $55-$70 by taxi, $9-$12 by BART |
| Bus Services | SamTrans, Airporters |
| Train Services | BART, Caltrain |
| AirTrain Service | Connects to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Rental Car Center |
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Via the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system
San Francisco International Airport is located 13 miles from the city. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is the best way to get from the airport to San Francisco. BART fares can be paid by the Tap and Ride system or Clipper card. Clipper cards can be purchased at the SFO BART Station upon arrival or through Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
To get to the BART station from the airport, you can take the AirTrain's Blue or Red Line to the Garage G AirTrain/BART station stop. The AirTrain station is also accessible from the International Terminal A AirTrain station, which is a short walk across the International Terminal Main Hall. The AirTrain is free, runs 24/7, and is wheelchair accessible.
The BART train from Civic Center/UN Plaza to San Francisco International Airport takes 28 minutes, including transfers, and departs every 10 minutes. The trip costs $9-12.
You can also reach Caltrain by taking BART to Millbrae Station. To transfer from Caltrain to SFO, riders should transfer to a Red Line Richmond/SF Airport train at Millbrae Station.
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By taxi
Taking a taxi is a convenient and direct way to get to San Francisco Airport (SFO) from various locations in the Bay Area. Here is some information to help you plan your taxi trip to the airport:
Taxi Companies and Fares:
Several taxi companies serve the San Francisco Bay Area, and you can book a taxi by phone, online, or through their mobile apps. Some reputable companies include Yellow Cab, Lyft, Uber, and Wingz. Each company may have different rates and services, so it's worth comparing before booking. The cost of a taxi ride to SFO can vary depending on your pickup location and traffic conditions.
Pickup Locations and Estimates by Region:
- From San Francisco City: A taxi from downtown San Francisco to SFO typically takes around 25 to 45 minutes without traffic. The distance is approximately 13 miles, and the fare can range from $45 to $70. Popular pickup points include Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Financial District.
- From the Peninsula: The Peninsula includes cities such as San Mateo, Burlingame, and Palo Alto. The travel time to SFO is usually between 15 and 35 minutes, covering a distance of about 7 to 20 miles. The taxi fare can range from $35 to $65.
- From the East Bay: Cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and Fremont are in the East Bay. The travel time to SFO can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. The distance is roughly 25 to 40 miles, and the taxi fare can be between $70 and $110.
- From the North Bay: Traveling from the North Bay, including cities such as Marin County and Sonoma County, the trip to SFO can take around 1 to 2 hours. The distance is approximately 50 to 75 miles, and the taxi fare can range from $150 to $200.
- From the South Bay: The South Bay includes cities like San Jose,
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Using the AirTrain
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a free, year-round AirTrain service that operates 24 hours a day with departures as frequent as every four minutes. The AirTrain is wheelchair accessible, with designated spaces at each end of the train cars, and elevator services at all stations.
The AirTrain's Blue Line connects all terminals, terminal parking garages, the Rental Car Center, and Long-Term Parking. The Red Line travels in a clockwise loop, connecting all terminals, terminal garages, the BART Station, and the Grand Hyatt at SFO. The entire loop takes about nine minutes to complete. Please note that the AirTrain may operate differently between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am due to routine maintenance, and travel times may be extended.
If you are travelling to or from the Rental Car Center or Long-Term Parking, you can only use the AirTrain Blue Line. To access the Rental Car Center or Long-Term Parking, take the AirTrain from any terminal or terminal parking garage.
To connect to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), take the AirTrain to the Garage G/BART station stop. You can also get off at the International Terminal A AirTrain station and walk a short distance to the BART station across the International Terminal Main Hall. BART fares can be paid using the Tap and Ride system or Clipper card. Clipper cards can be purchased at the SFO BART Station or through Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
If you are travelling from Terminal 2 or 3 and have no bags to check, get off at the Terminal 2 AirTrain Station and cross the bridge to the T2 Checkpoint. If you are checking bags, get off at the Terminal 3 AirTrain Station, go down one level, enter the parking garage, and take the elevators to Level 1. From there, follow the walking paths to the E or F/G walkways for Premier or Economy check-in areas.
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By bus
San Francisco International Airport is located 15 miles from San Francisco, with a road distance of 12.9 miles. The city is known for its comprehensive transport system, making it easy to get to and from the airport.
SamTrans operates bus services to and from San Francisco International Airport. The Route 292 bus stops directly at the Airport Terminals and also along North McDonnell Road. It operates during the day and evening, and there is a limited service late at night. Route 292 also operates in the opposite direction, from the airport to the city. The bus departs from 10th St & Howard St and arrives at SFO Airport Terminal A-Lower Level. Services depart every 30 minutes and operate daily, with the journey taking approximately 56 minutes.
Other SamTrans bus routes serving the airport include Route EPX and Route 142, which stop at the Rental Car Center and can be reached from the terminals via the AirTrain Blue Line. Route ECR Owl and Route 397 also offer limited service to and from the airport late at night. These routes operate north to San Francisco and Daly City, and south to Palo Alto.
In addition to SamTrans, privately operated Airporters buses travel to and from the airport, serving pre-arranged stops at a scheduled frequency. Reservations are recommended for some carriers.
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By car
San Francisco International Airport is located 15 miles from the city, with a road distance of 12.9 miles. The best way to get to the airport by car is to drive via the US-101 S.
If you are driving from the city centre, head south towards McAllister Street, then continue onto Franklin Street. Turn left onto Franklin Street, then turn right onto Van Ness Avenue. Keep left to stay on Van Ness Avenue, then turn left onto Fell Street. Turn right onto Octavia Street and continue onto Central Freeway/US-101 S. Keep right to continue on the ramp to I-80 E/Oakland Bay Bridge/US-101 S, then merge onto Central Freeway/US-101 S. Keep left to stay on US-101 S, then take the exit towards I-280 S/Daly City. Keep right at the fork to continue towards I-280 S, then keep left and merge onto I-280 S. Continue on I-280 S. Take exit 49 for CA-82 towards San Francisco International Airport/San Bruno. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for San Francisco International Airport/Rental Car Return and merge onto N McDonnell Rd.
The drive from the city centre to the airport should take approximately 16 minutes, depending on traffic. Please note that this route may not be optimal at all times, so it is recommended to check traffic conditions and navigate using a mapping service or GPS for real-time directions.
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Frequently asked questions
The fastest way to get to San Francisco Airport is by taxi. The journey takes around 16 minutes and costs $55-$70.
The cheapest way to get to the airport is by driving yourself. It costs $2-$4 to drive the 12.9-mile distance.
There are several public transport options to get to the airport, including the BART subway, SamTrans bus, and Caltrain. The BART subway is the most recommended option and costs $9-$12.
