BART, rideshare, taxi, and bus options from San Francisco International Airport, and the one most visitors should take.
Last verified: September 29, 2026
Here’s every SFO airport transportation option into the city, and which one fits your trip.
Quick answer: Take BART. The station is inside SFO, the ride to downtown takes about 30 minutes with no traffic, and it costs about $10 to $11. If you land after BART closes around midnight, take a taxi or rideshare.
San Francisco is served by three airports. This guide covers SFO. See our guides for Oakland Airport to San Francisco and San Jose Airport to San Francisco.
SFO to San Francisco: All Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BART | About $10–$11 | Almost everyone: about 30 min, no traffic |
| Rideshare | Varies with demand | Groups, heavy luggage, after BART closes |
| Taxi | About $45–$65 + tip | Late arrivals, when rideshare surges |
| SamTrans 292 | A few dollars | Tight budgets; much slower than BART |
| Shared van | Varies by company | Door-to-door on a budget; multiple stops |
BART From SFO Recommended
About 30 Minutes to Downtown, No Traffic
The BART station is inside SFO’s International Terminal. From any terminal, take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop. Tap a contactless card, phone wallet, or Clipper card at the fare gate; you tap again when you exit.
For most hotels, get off at Powell Street (Union Square). Use Montgomery Street for the Financial District and Embarcadero for the Ferry Building and waterfront.
Fare to downtown: About $10–$11 one way. BART raised fares 6.2% on January 1, 2026, so check the exact fare with the trip planner on bart.gov.
Hours: Weekdays from 5am, Saturdays from 6am, Sundays from 8am, until about midnight
After midnight: Taxi or rideshare
See our BART from SFO guide for the full step-by-step.
Uber and Lyft From SFO
Rideshare doesn’t pick up at the arrivals curb. At domestic Terminals 1, 2, and 3, standard Uber and Lyft pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage; cross the skybridge from your terminal. At the International Terminal, pickups are at the center island on the Departures level. Follow the ride app pickup signs and confirm the zone in your app.
SFO adds an airport pickup surcharge to every rideshare fare, and prices surge when several big flights land at once. If the quote looks high and BART is running, BART will almost always be cheaper for one or two people. For groups of three or more, compare before you decide. See our Uber vs. Lyft vs. BART comparison.
Taxis From SFO
Taxis pick up on the Arrivals level outside each terminal, with no app needed. Fares are metered, and most estimates put the trip to downtown at roughly $45–$65 plus tip, depending on traffic. A taxi is a good fallback when you land after BART closes or rideshare prices spike.
SamTrans Bus
SamTrans Route 292 runs between SFO and San Francisco seven days a week, stopping on the lower level at the terminals. It’s the cheapest option but much slower than BART, with many stops along the way. Check samtrans.com for the current schedule and fare.
Shared Van Shuttles
A few private companies still run shared door-to-door vans from SFO, though they’re less common than they used to be. They’re slower than other options because they make several stops. Prices vary by company, so compare with BART before booking.
Renting a Car or Parking at SFO
Most visitors staying in the city don’t need a car. If you’re heading beyond San Francisco, see our SFO rental car guide and our SFO airport parking guide.
Where to Stay Near BART
A hotel near Powell, Montgomery, or Embarcadero BART lets you ride straight from the airport to your hotel with no transfer. See our San Francisco neighborhood guide and our SFO to Union Square guide.
Book a Hotel Near BART
Compare hotels and vacation rentals near downtown BART stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
SamTrans Route 292 is the cheapest, but it’s slow. BART is the best value for most people: about 30 minutes to downtown, no traffic, and roughly $10 to $11. Check the exact fare on bart.gov, since fares rose 6.2% on January 1, 2026.
Where is the BART station at SFO?
In the International Terminal. From any terminal, take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop.
What are BART’s hours 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.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at SFO?
For domestic Terminals 1, 2, and 3, standard Uber and Lyft pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage, not the arrivals curb. At the International Terminal, pickups are at the center island on the Departures level. Follow the ride app pickup signs and check the zone in your app.
How much is a taxi from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
Taxis are metered, and most estimates put the fare to downtown at roughly $45 to $65 plus tip, depending on traffic. Taxis pick up on the Arrivals level outside each terminal.
Is there a bus from SFO to San Francisco?
Yes. SamTrans Route 292 runs between SFO and San Francisco seven days a week, stopping on the lower level at the terminals. It’s much slower than BART. Check samtrans.com for schedules and fares.
Quick Reference: SFO Airport Transportation
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best option for most people | BART, about 30 min, about $10–$11 |
| BART station at SFO | International Terminal; AirTrain to Garage G/BART Station |
| BART hours | From 5am weekdays, 6am Sat, 8am Sun, to about midnight |
| Best stop for Union Square | Powell Street |
| Uber/Lyft pickup (domestic) | Domestic Garage, Level 5 |
| Uber/Lyft pickup (international) | Departures level, center island |
| Taxi to downtown | About $45–$65 + tip, metered |
| Cheapest option | SamTrans 292 (slow) |
Know of a service change or fare update? Use our contact page and we’ll update this guide.