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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Francisco
BART trains run from the International Terminal to downtown San Francisco in about 30 minutes. Uber, Lyft and taxis take a similar time but cost several times more.
Best for most people: Train. BART is direct, avoids freeway traffic and stops at the main downtown stations such as Powell Street and Montgomery.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train BART from the station at the International Terminal (reach it with the free AirTrain from domestic terminals) to Civic Center, Powell St, Montgomery or Embarcadero | about 30 min | every 10–20 min | about $10–11 | about 05:00 (later on weekends) to midnight | Pay with a Clipper card, the Clipper app or contactless card where supported. |
| ride-hailing Uber and Lyft from the signed ride-app pickup zones in the parking garage | about 25–45 min | about $40–70 | 24 h | Surge pricing can raise prices at busy times. | |
| taxi Taxi rank outside each terminal's arrivals level | about 25–45 min | about $50–70 by meter plus tip | 24 h | Tip of 15–20% is customary. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Other airports
- Oakland (OAK), across the bay, connected to BART via the Oakland Airport connector.
- San José (SJC), about 70 km south, better for Silicon Valley.
Tips
- Follow signs for the AirTrain to reach the BART station if you land at a domestic terminal.
- A Clipper card works on BART, Muni buses, cable cars and ferries.
- BART does not run all night; if you land after midnight, use a ride app or taxi.
- Downtown hotels near Union Square are a short walk from Powell St station.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
A metered taxi from SFO to downtown usually costs about $50 to $70 before tip, depending on traffic and your destination. A tip of around 15 to 20 percent is customary. Uber and Lyft often cost a similar amount or a bit less, but prices rise at busy times. Take taxis only from the official rank.
Is there a train at night?
BART runs from about 05:00 on weekdays (later on weekends) until around midnight, so it does not operate overnight. If your flight lands after the last train, use a taxi, Uber or Lyft, all available around the clock. Check the BART app for the last departure on your day of travel.
How long does BART take to downtown?
BART takes about 30 minutes from SFO to downtown stations such as Civic Center, Powell Street and Montgomery. Add a few minutes for the AirTrain if you land at a domestic terminal. A car takes roughly 25 to 45 minutes depending on freeway traffic, which is heavy at rush hour.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. You can pay BART fares with a Clipper card loaded by card, the Clipper app on your phone, or contactless bank cards where supported. Ride apps charge your card automatically, and San Francisco taxis accept cards. You will rarely need cash to get into the city.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.