How long it really takes to get from SFO into the city by BART, car, taxi, and rideshare, and what rush hour does to the drive.
Last verified: September 29, 2026
How long SFO to San Francisco takes depends on how you go and when you land.
Quick answer: About 30 minutes by BART to downtown, regardless of traffic. By car, taxi, or rideshare, about 20 to 35 minutes in normal traffic, and an hour or more at weekday rush hour. The drive is about 14 miles.
Travel Times at a Glance
| Option | Normal Traffic | Rush Hour |
|---|---|---|
| BART | About 30 min | About 30 min |
| Car, taxi, or rideshare | About 20–35 min | About 35–60+ min |
Driving times are estimates and change with traffic, weather, and events. Check a live map app before you go.
BART: About 30 Minutes Predictable
SFO to Downtown in About 30 Minutes
BART runs on its own tracks, so the ride from SFO to downtown San Francisco takes about 30 minutes whether it’s rush hour or not. Powell Street, for Union Square, is about 28 to 30 minutes from the airport.
Board a Yellow Line train toward Antioch or a Red Line train toward Richmond. Both serve the downtown stations. Check the destination before boarding, since some trains at SFO head south to Millbrae.
Add time to get to the train: take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop in the International Terminal. See our BART from SFO guide for step-by-step directions.
Driving, Taxi, and Rideshare
The drive from SFO to downtown San Francisco is about 14 miles. In normal traffic, that’s roughly 20 to 35 minutes. On weekday mornings and late afternoons, traffic can push the trip to an hour or more.
Landing at rush hour? If you’re taking a car, taxi, or rideshare on a weekday morning or late afternoon, plan for extra time. That’s when BART’s steady 30-minute ride helps most.
Rideshare also takes longer to start: pickups at domestic terminals are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage, not at the curb. See our SFO airport transportation guide for pickup spots.
Late Night and Early Morning
Weekdays: 5am to about midnight
Saturdays: 6am to about midnight
Sundays: 8am to about midnight
Outside these hours, take a taxi or rideshare. Late-night traffic is usually light.
Heading Beyond Downtown?
BART stops downtown and in the Mission District. For Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, or the Richmond and Sunset districts, you’ll need a Muni connection or a rideshare for the last stretch, so allow extra time.
Stay Near BART
A hotel near a downtown BART station means a direct ride from the airport. See our San Francisco neighborhood guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from SFO to San Francisco?
About 30 minutes by BART to downtown San Francisco. By car, taxi, or rideshare it’s roughly 20 to 35 minutes in normal traffic and can reach an hour or more at rush hour. The drive is about 14 miles.
How long is BART from SFO to Powell Street?
About 30 minutes. Because BART runs on its own tracks, the ride time doesn’t change with highway traffic.
How far is SFO from downtown San Francisco?
About 14 miles by road.
What’s the fastest way from SFO to San Francisco at rush hour?
BART. Weekday morning and late-afternoon traffic can double the drive time, while BART’s ride stays about 30 minutes.
Which BART trains go from SFO to downtown?
Yellow Line trains toward Antioch and Red Line trains toward Richmond both serve the downtown San Francisco stations. Check the destination before boarding, since some trains at SFO head south to Millbrae.
What if I land after BART closes?
BART runs until about midnight, starting at 5am on weekdays, 6am on Saturdays, and 8am on Sundays. Outside those hours, take a taxi or rideshare; late-night traffic is usually light.
Quick Reference: SFO to San Francisco Travel Time
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| BART to downtown | About 30 minutes, any time of day |
| Driving, normal traffic | About 20–35 minutes |
| Driving, rush hour | An hour or more is possible |
| Distance | About 14 miles |
| BART lines to downtown | Yellow (Antioch) or Red (Richmond) |
| BART hours | From 5am weekdays, 6am Sat, 8am Sun, to about midnight |
Notice a change? Use our contact page and we’ll update this guide.