Step-by-step directions, how to pay, which stop to use, and the mistakes first-timers make taking BART from SFO to San Francisco.
Last verified: September 29, 2026
BART from SFO to San Francisco is the easiest, cheapest reliable way into the city. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Quick answer: Take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop, tap your contactless card at the fare gate, board a train headed into San Francisco, and get off at Powell Street for most hotels. It takes about 30 minutes and costs about $10 to $11.
BART vs. Other Options
| Option | Cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| BART | About $10–$11 | Stops running around midnight |
| Uber/Lyft | Varies with demand | Garage pickup, surge pricing, traffic |
| Taxi | About $45–$65 + tip | Metered, traffic-dependent |
| Rental car | Varies | Expensive, scarce parking in the city |
For solo travelers and couples, BART is almost always the best choice. Rideshare or a taxi makes more sense for groups of three or more splitting the fare, for arrivals after BART closes, or for heavy luggage. See our SFO airport transportation guide for every option.
How to Take BART From SFO Step by Step
Step 1: Take the AirTrain
After baggage claim, follow the signs for the AirTrain. It’s free and connects every terminal.
Step 2: Get Off at Garage G/BART Station
Ride to the Garage G/BART Station stop at the International Terminal. That’s where the BART station is. If you land at the International Terminal, you can follow the BART signs straight there.
Step 3: Tap In at the Fare Gate
Tap a contactless credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a Clipper card on the reader. Keep the same card or phone handy, because you tap again to exit. Tapping out with a different card can mean an overcharge.
Step 4: Board a Train Into San Francisco
Check the destination on the platform display and the train before boarding. Some trains at SFO head south to Millbrae instead of into the city, so make sure yours is going north through San Francisco.
Step 5: Get Off at the Right Stop
Downtown San Francisco BART Stops
Powell Street: Union Square, most tourist hotels, and shopping. The right stop for most visitors.
Montgomery Street: Financial District and many business hotels.
Embarcadero: Ferry Building, the waterfront, and Salesforce Transit Center.
Civic Center/UN Plaza: City Hall and the Civic Center area.
16th St Mission / 24th St Mission: The Mission District.
BART Fares From SFO
A one-way trip from SFO to downtown San Francisco costs about $10 to $11, depending on your station. BART raised fares 6.2% on January 1, 2026, and fares are distance-based, so check the exact price with the trip planner on bart.gov before you go.
Paying with a bank card? Tap and Ride charges the full adult fare. Riders with youth, senior, or other discounts need a Clipper card to get the lower fare.
BART Hours
Weekdays: 5am to about midnight
Saturdays: 6am to about midnight
Sundays: 8am to about midnight
If you land after the last train, take a taxi or rideshare. Check bart.gov for the exact last train on your date.
How to Pay for BART
Contactless Card or Phone (Easiest)
BART’s Tap and Ride accepts contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay, right at the fare gate. No app or setup needed. Just tap in and tap out with the same card or phone.
Clipper Card
Clipper is the Bay Area’s reloadable transit card, used on BART, Muni, and most other local transit. It’s worth getting if you need a discounted fare. You can add Clipper to your phone’s wallet or buy a plastic card from a BART station machine, which carries a one-time $3 fee.
Cash
BART no longer sells paper tickets; it switched its machines to Clipper only in 2020. To pay with cash, use a station machine to buy or load a Clipper card. If you’re short when you exit, the gate will say “Add Fare,” and the Add Fare machines inside the station take cash and cards.
Taking BART With Luggage
Rolling suitcases are fine on BART. Stations have elevators if you’d rather skip stairs and escalators. Trains are more crowded during weekday commute hours, so leave room for people getting off before you board.
When Not to Take BART
- Late-night arrivals: If BART has stopped running, take a taxi or rideshare.
- Groups of three or more: A shared rideshare can cost about the same as three BART fares, so compare before deciding.
- Hotels far from BART: If you’re staying somewhere like the Sunset or Noe Valley, you’ll need Muni or a rideshare for the last stretch anyway.
Stay Near a BART Station
A hotel near Powell, Montgomery, or Embarcadero BART means a direct ride from the airport. See our San Francisco neighborhood guide for options by area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take BART from SFO to San Francisco?
From any terminal, take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop in the International Terminal. Tap a contactless card, phone wallet, or Clipper card at the fare gate, board a train headed into San Francisco, and get off at Powell Street for most hotels.
How much is BART from SFO to San Francisco?
About $10 to $11 one way to downtown, depending on your station. BART raised fares 6.2% on January 1, 2026, so check the exact fare with the trip planner on bart.gov.
Can I pay for BART with a credit card?
Yes. BART’s Tap and Ride lets you tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, or Apple Pay or Google Pay, at the fare gate. Tap in and tap out with the same card or phone. It charges the full adult fare.
Can I pay for BART with cash?
Not at the gate. BART stopped selling paper tickets in 2020. Station machines take cash to sell or load a Clipper card, with a one-time $3 fee for a new card.
What time does BART start running from SFO?
BART runs from 5am on weekdays, 6am on Saturdays, and 8am on Sundays, until about midnight every day. If you land after the last train, take a taxi or rideshare.
Which BART stop is best for Union Square?
Powell Street. Use Montgomery Street for the Financial District and Embarcadero for the Ferry Building and waterfront.
Quick Reference: BART From SFO
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Getting to BART at SFO | Free AirTrain to Garage G/BART Station |
| Fare to downtown | About $10–$11; check bart.gov |
| Travel time | About 30 minutes to Powell Street |
| How to pay | Contactless card, phone, or Clipper; tap in and out |
| Cash? | Only to buy or load a Clipper card |
| Best stop for Union Square | Powell Street |
| Hours | From 5am weekdays, 6am Sat, 8am Sun, to about midnight |
| Check before boarding | Train is headed into SF, not to Millbrae |
This guide is based on information from BART and Clipper rather than a firsthand trip. Fares and schedules change, so check bart.gov before you travel.
Have a schedule change or fare update we haven’t caught? Use our contact page and we’ll update this guide.