Hello, this is your tour guide.

Welcome to San Francisco and the Bay Area. In this list we’ll show you all the ways to get from San Francisco Airport to downtown San Francisco.

Note: the San Francisco Bay Area is served by four major passenger airports:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO);

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC);

Oakland International Airport (OAK) and;

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS)

SFO is the major one that handles national and international flights. SJC handles national and some international flights. OAK handles national and some international flights.

While STS handles national and regional flights on the west coast.

This article focuses on how to get from San Francisco International Airport to downtown.

Read this article about how to get from San Jose Mineta International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Oakland International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport here.

Cheapest:SamTrans 292 Bus

For those on a budget, SamTrans offers route 292 from SFO directly to downtown San Francisco. SamTrans is an inexpensive way to discover Palo Alto. Route 292 runs in mixed traffic so expect delays during heavy traffic.

Note: SamTrans route 292 does not offer luggage storage. The bus is mainly for residents and airport workers so reconsider this option if you are traveling with luggage.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare for SamTrans is $2.25. Travel time is approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

Fastest: BART Red / Yellow Line Train

The fastest way to get from SFO to downtown San Francisco is with BART. Starting from your respective terminal, take the AirTrain people mover to Garage G / BART Station and walk a short distance to San Francisco International Airport Station to catch BART**** - San Francisco Bay Area’s rapid transit (subway) system. From here, catch BART’s Red / Yellow Line and continue to downtown San Francisco. Get off at Powell St., Montgomery St., or Embarcadero Stations downtown.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare for BART is $11.50. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Honor Mention: BART Red / Yellow Line Train / Caltrain

Looking for a more express, adventurous option? This is a bit tricky with some backtracking. Take BART from San Francisco International Airport Station backtracking to Millbrae Station (in the opposite direction from downtown San Francisco). This intermodal hub offers a quick transfer to catch express Caltrain (commuter rail) northbound to San Francisco 4th and King Street Station. Catch Muni (metro system) to reach your final destination in downtown San Francisco. Or walk the final portion.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare for BART is $5.50. Fare for Caltrain is $6.00. Fare for Muni is $3.00. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes.

Most Semi-Private: Shuttles

San Francisco Airport offers a number of shuttles but not all will head to downtown San Francisco. Most are assigned to hotels. Call ahead and check. Learn more here.

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 20 to 40 minutes. Expect to pay at least $30-60 for a ride. Be aware of surge pricing and heavy traffic heading into downtown San Francisco.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of February 2025.

Welcome to San Jose and the Bay Area. In this list we’ll show you all the ways to get from San Jose Airport to downtown San Francisco.

Note: the San Francisco Bay Area is served by four major passenger airports:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO);

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC);

Oakland International Airport (OAK) and;

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS)

SFO is the major one that handles national and international flights. SJC handles national and some international flights. OAK handles national and some international flights.

While STS handles national and regional flights on the west coast.

This article focuses on how to get from San Jose Mineta International Airport to downtown San Francisco.

Read this article about how to get from San Francisco International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Oakland International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport here.

Cheapest: VTA 60 Airport Flyer Bus / BART Green Line Train

The fastest way to get from San Jose Airport to downtown San Francisco involves taking VTA route 60 (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority) from the Airport towards Milpitas Station. You can pick up the VTA Route 60 Bus from their dedicated entrances at each terminal:

1. Terminal A: Stop 7
2. Terminal B: Stops 5 & 6

At Milpitas Station catch BART**** - San Francisco Bay Area’s rapid transit (subway) system. From here, catch BART’s Green Line and continue to downtown San Francisco. Get off at Powell St., Montgomery St., or Embarcadero Stations downtown.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare for VTA is $2.50. Fare for BART is $9.50. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.

Fastest: VTA 60 Airport Flyer Bus / Caltrain

The fastest way to get from San Jose Airport to downtown San Francisco involves taking VTA route 60 (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority) from the Airport to (towards Winchester Transit Center) Santa Clara Station. You can pick up the VTA Route 60 Bus from their dedicated entrances at each terminal:

• Terminal A: Stop 7
• Terminal B: Stops 5 & 6

At Santa Clara Station catch Caltrain (commuter rail) northbound to San Francisco 4th and King Street Station. Catch Muni (metro system) to reach your final destination in downtown San Francisco. Or walk the final portion.

Note: Caltrain offers Express train service but not from Santa Clara. Backtrack to San Jose Diridon Station (downtown San Jose) or forward Sunnyvale Station to ride express.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare for VTA is $2.50. Fare for Caltrain is $10.50. Fare for Muni is $3.00. Travel time is approximately 80 minutes.

Most Semi-Private: Shuttles

San Jose Airport offers a number of shuttles but not all will head to downtown San Francisco. Call ahead and check. Learn more here.

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 45 to 90 minutes. Expect to pay at least $60-120 for a ride. Be aware of surge pricing and heavy traffic crossing the Bay Bridge or heading up the San Francisco Peninsula.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of February 2025.

Welcome to Oakland and the Bay Area. In this list we’ll show you all the ways to get from Oakland Airport to downtown San Francisco.

Note: the San Francisco Bay Area is served by four major passenger airports:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO);

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC);

Oakland International Airport (OAK) and;

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS)

SFO is the major one that handles national and international flights. SJC handles national and some international flights. OAK handles national and some international flights.

While STS handles national and regional flights on the west coast.

This article focuses on how to get from Oakland International Airport to downtown.

Read this article about how to get from San Francisco International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from San Jose Mineta International Airport here.

Read this article about how to get from Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport here.

Fastest: BART Oakland Airport Connector / Green/Blue Line Train

San Francisco Bay Area’s rapid transit (subway) system - BART is the fastest and most direct way from OAK to downtown San Francisco. Exit the terminal area and take the pedestrian walkway over the drop off/pick up area to Oakland International Airport Station. Ride BART’s Oakland Airport Connector to Coliseum Station - an intermodal hub with connections to Amtrak. From here, catch BART’s Green or Blue Line and continue to downtown San Francisco. Get off at Powell St., Montgomery St., or Embarcadero Stations downtown.

Consider purchasing Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s integrated fare card to the city.

Fare is approximately $12.65. Travel time is approximately 35 minutes.

Most Semi-Private: Shuttles

Oakland Airport offers a number of shuttles but not all will head to downtown San Francisco. Call ahead and check. Learn more here.

Most Private: Taxi / Ride Share

Undoubtedly, the most expensive option from our list but the most private. In addition to taxis, Uber and Lyft offer private rideshare services from the airport. Travel time is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Expect to pay at least $70 for a ride. Be aware of surge pricing and heavy traffic crossing the Bay Bridge.

Note:

Prices are accurate as of February 2025.