BART, rideshare, taxi, and shuttle from SFO to Union Square — ranked by cost, speed, and ease so you can stop guessing.
Union Square is the heart of San Francisco’s hotel district — and the most common destination for travelers arriving at SFO. Getting there from the airport is straightforward once you know which option to take. Here’s every option ranked, with real costs and zero fluff.
Winner: BART to Powell Street. ~$10.55, 30 minutes, runs from inside the terminal. Powell Street station puts you steps from Union Square’s hotels, shops, and restaurants. There is no better option for most travelers.
SFO to Union Square: All Options Ranked
| Rank | Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | BART to Powell St | ~$10.55 | 30 min | Best for almost everyone |
| #2 | Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $45–$75+ | 25–60 min | Best for groups of 3+ or late night |
| #3 | Taxi | $48–$62 + tip | 25–60 min | Good when rideshare surges |
| #4 | Shared shuttle | ~$18–$20/person | 60–90 min | Cheapest door-to-door, but slow |
| #5 | Rental car | Varies + $40–$60/night parking | 25–60 min | Rarely worth it for Union Square stays |
#1: BART to Powell Street Best Option
SFO → Powell Street in 30 Minutes for ~$10
~$10.55 one-way · 30 minutesPowell Street BART station is on the corner of Powell and Market — the literal center of Union Square. Every major hotel in the area is within a 5–10 minute walk. The St. Francis, the Westin, the Hilton Union Square, the Marriott Marquis — all walkable from Powell Street station.
Take the free AirTrain from any SFO terminal to the Garage G / BART stop. Tap your contactless card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay at the fare gate. Board any train toward San Francisco and ride to Powell Street. That’s it.
For the full step-by-step, see our BART from SFO complete guide.
Exiting Powell Street station: Take the escalator up to street level and you’ll emerge on Market Street at Powell. Turn right (north) on Powell Street and you’re in Union Square within 2 blocks. Most hotels will be visible from the station exit.
#2: Rideshare (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare is the right call when BART doesn’t work for your situation — groups of 3 or 4 splitting the fare, late-night arrivals after BART closes, or travelers with a lot of heavy luggage who want door-to-hotel service.
- Pickup location: Level 5 of the Domestic Garage — follow Rideshare signs from baggage claim, not the arrivals curb
- SFO surcharge: $5.50 added to both Uber and Lyft fares automatically
- Normal fare to Union Square: $45–$75 depending on time of day
- Surge pricing: Can hit $90–$130+ when multiple international flights land at once — if you see surge, take BART
- Drop-off: Most hotels have a designated rideshare/taxi drop-off — your driver will know it
Always check both Uber and Lyft before booking — fares regularly differ by $10–$15. Takes 30 seconds. Take whichever is lower.
#3: Taxi
Taxis depart from the lower level roadway islands at all SFO terminals — uniformed coordinators on duty 7am–1am. Metered fare to Union Square runs $48–$62 plus tip. Travel time matches rideshare — 25 minutes in light traffic, up to 60 during rush hour. No app needed, no surge pricing. A solid option when rideshare fares are spiking.
#4: Shared Shuttle Van
Shared shuttles offer door-to-hotel service for ~$18–$20 per person — cheaper than a solo rideshare, but with a significant time cost. Multiple stops at different hotels can add 45–60 minutes to your trip. If your hotel is right in Union Square and you have time flexibility, it works. If you want to get there and start your trip, BART is faster and cheaper.
#5: Rental Car
Renting a car to stay in Union Square is almost never the right call. Union Square is extremely walkable, BART and Muni serve it well, and hotel parking in the area runs $45–$60 per night. Unless you’re planning day trips outside the city during your stay, leave the rental car at SFO.
Walking distance (under 5 min): Westin St. Francis, Sir Francis Drake, Hilton Union Square, Hotel Nikko, Handlery Union Square
Short walk (5–10 min): Marriott Marquis, Hotel Zetta, Kimpton Sir Francis Drake, Le Méridien, Grand Hyatt
Not sure where your hotel is? Check our San Francisco neighborhood guide for a full breakdown by area.
What About Traffic?
The 14-mile drive from SFO to Union Square takes 25–30 minutes in light traffic and 50–75 minutes during Bay Area rush hour (7–9am and 4–7pm weekdays). BART takes exactly 30 minutes regardless of what’s happening on 101. If you’re arriving during commute hours, the time math is even more in BART’s favor.
Staying Near Union Square?
Union Square is SF’s most hotel-dense neighborhood — walkable, central, and steps from Powell Street BART. Browse current rates and availability below.
Quick Reference: SFO to Union Square 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best way from SFO to Union Square | BART to Powell Street — ~$10.55, 30 min |
| How to get BART at SFO | Free AirTrain to Garage G / BART Station |
| BART stop for Union Square | Powell Street — exit to Market & Powell |
| Walk from Powell St BART to Union Square | 2 blocks north on Powell — 3 minutes |
| Rideshare cost SFO to Union Square | $45–$75 normal / $90–$130+ surge |
| Rideshare pickup at SFO | Level 5, Domestic Garage |
| Taxi cost SFO to Union Square | $48–$62 + tip, metered |
| Hotel parking near Union Square | $45–$60/night — avoid driving if possible |
| Late night arrival (after midnight) | Rideshare or taxi — BART closed |
| Full SFO transportation guide | SFO Airport Transportation 2026 |
Powell Street BART station and Union Square are practically the same place. Take the train, save $50, and start your San Francisco trip the right way.
Something changed? Use our contact page and we’ll update this guide.