United States
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): visitor guide
Take BART from the airport to downtown San Francisco: about 30 minutes and roughly US$10, the cheapest and fastest option for one traveller without much luggage. Taxi or rideshare suits groups, late arrivals and heavy bags at about US$50–70 to downtown. Skip the rental car unless you leave the city.
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Key facts
- Cheapest into the citycheck
- BART rail, about 30 min, roughly US$10 (2026 estimate)
- Fastest into the citycheck
- BART or taxi, both about 30 min in normal traffic
- Taxi / rideshare to downtowncheck
- About US$50–70, 25–40 min (2026 estimate)
- Late-night optioncheck
- BART stops around midnight; use taxi or rideshare after that
- Rental car
- Only worth it if you leave San Francisco; city parking is expensive
- Airport codecheck
- SFO, about 21 km south of downtown San Francisco
Map and layout
SFO sits on the bay about 21 km south of downtown San Francisco, next to Millbrae and San Bruno. Terminals are numbered: International (A and G gates), Terminal 1 (B gates, Harvey Milk), Terminal 2 (D gates), Terminal 3 (E and F gates, United). All are connected on the pre-security side by the AirTrain, a free automated people mover that also reaches the BART station, the rental car centre and long-term parking.
Coordinates below are approximate, at the terminal complex.
| Area | What is there |
|---|---|
| International Terminal | International arrivals and departures, BART access via AirTrain |
| Terminal 1 | Domestic, Harvey Milk Terminal |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic, mostly Alaska and American |
| Terminal 3 | Domestic, United hub |
| AirTrain | Free loop: terminals, BART, rental car centre, parking |
Getting into the city
BART is the default. The station is at the International Terminal, reached by the free AirTrain from any terminal. Trains run into downtown San Francisco and on through the East Bay, roughly every 10–20 minutes through the day. The ride to downtown stations such as Powell Street or Montgomery takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly US$10 (2026 estimate). Buy a Clipper card or tap a contactless bank card at the gate.
SamTrans buses are cheaper but slower and aimed more at the Peninsula than downtown; they are useful if you are staying near the airport or in San Mateo County rather than the city.
Taxis pick up on the arrivals level of each terminal. To downtown expect about US$50–70 and 25–40 minutes depending on traffic (2026 estimate). Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) uses signed pickup zones; the app tells you which one. Both make sense for two or more travellers with luggage, or for addresses away from a BART station.
Do not plan on driving yourself into the city: downtown hotel parking commonly runs US$40–80 a night (2026 estimate), and a car is a liability in San Francisco traffic.
| Mode | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time to downtown | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BART | About US$10 | About 30 min | Solo travellers, light luggage, daytime |
| SamTrans bus | About US$2–5 | 45–70 min | Peninsula stops, cheapest fares |
| Taxi | US$50–70 | 25–40 min | Groups, heavy bags, late arrivals |
| Rideshare | US$40–80 | 25–40 min | Door-to-door, app payment |
| Rental car | US$45–110 a day plus parking | 25–40 min | Trips out of the city only |
Late-night arrivals
BART does not run all night: the last trains leave the airport around midnight and service resumes around 05:00 (check current timetable, as weekend and holiday hours differ). If you land after that, use a taxi or rideshare from the arrivals level, or book an airport-area hotel with a shuttle and move into the city in the morning.
SFO is a 24-hour airport, so the terminals stay open, but food and shop options thin out considerably after about 22:00. If you have a long overnight layover, the AirTrain and terminal seating remain available; nearby Millbrae and Burlingame hotels with airport shuttles are the comfortable option.
Lounges
SFO has a large lounge line-up, mostly airside and mostly for eligible passengers rather than walk-up purchase. United operates clubs in Terminal 3 and the International Terminal; American and Alaska have lounges in Terminal 2; Delta and several international carriers have their own. Priority Pass and similar programmes cover a handful of locations, but access rules, opening hours and guest policies change often — check with your airline or programme before you count on one.
If you are not eligible for any lounge, the pre-security food courts and the International Terminal departures hall have the widest seating for a long wait.
Car rental
Rental desks are consolidated in one rental car centre, reached by the AirTrain from any terminal. All the major US brands are there. Rates typically run US$45–110 a day before insurance, fuel and fees (2026 estimate), and one-way drops can add a large fee — check before booking.
Only rent at SFO if you are heading out of San Francisco: the coast, Napa and Sonoma, Lake Tahoe or down to Monterey. For a city-only stay, BART plus ride-hailing is cheaper and far less stressful. If you do rent and return to the city, look for a hotel with included parking.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
There is no good or bad season for the airport itself. For the smoothest transit, land between about 08:00 and 22:00 so BART is running, and avoid late-December and Thanksgiving week, when the terminals are busiest.
How do I get to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
BART serves the airport directly, with the station at the International Terminal reached by the free AirTrain. Taxis and rideshare pick up at each terminal. Driving is possible but parking is expensive; many travellers use BART or a shuttle from an airport-area hotel.
How much does it cost to visit San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
You do not pay to enter the airport. The main costs are transport: BART to downtown is roughly US$10, a taxi or rideshare US$50–70, and rental cars US$45–110 a day before insurance and parking (2026 estimates).
How far is SFO from downtown San Francisco?
About 21 km. BART takes roughly 30 minutes to downtown stations; a taxi or rideshare takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic, longer in the morning and evening peaks.
Is there a cheaper way into San Francisco than BART?
SamTrans buses cost less, roughly US$2–5, but take 45–70 minutes and serve the Peninsula more than downtown. For most visitors BART is the better balance of price and time.
Can I get from SFO to the city late at night?
BART stops around midnight and restarts near 05:00. Outside those hours use a taxi or rideshare, or stay at an airport-area hotel with a shuttle and travel in the morning.
Deep dive
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