Transportation Basics: How to Get Around San Francisco

All About the Clipper Card

First thing's first: whether you're getting to, from, or around San Francisco during your stay, having a Clipper Card will make your travels much easier. The Clipper Card is an easy way to use the various modes of public transportation throughout the Bay Area. Purchasing a Clipper Card allows you access to BART, Muni buses, Metro, and cable cars. When you board, hold the card over a scanner and listen for the beep to make sure that you have an adequate balance on your card for your fare. Cards can be bought at multiple locations and refilled at Muni/BART stations. You can also keep Clipper on your phone! The service is compatible with both Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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Getting to San Francisco

Flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

SFO is the preferred airport for visiting San Francisco. It's phenomenally well-connected to dozens of domestic and international cities, and serves as the west coast gateway for much of the Asia-Pacific region. It's also one of the cleanest, safest, and most unique airports in the world. How many airports have you been through that have their own accredited museum or a dedicated Wag Brigade? 

Once you land at SFO, it's easy to get into the city itself. Here are a few different ways:

BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) all-electric trains are a fast, inexpensive, and dependable way to get from SFO to San Francisco. Once you have your luggage, follow the signs for AirTrain, a free tram service to all terminals. Take either the Red or Blue AirTrain line to the Garage G and BART stop in International Terminal G. Proceed to the platform and board the San Francisco/Antioch train.

BART fares are based on distance traveled; the greater the distance, the higher the fare. A round-trip fare from SFO to downtown San Francisco is $21.10 ($10.55 one-way). 

When you arrive at your destination, you must scan your Clipper Card again to exit the station. If you don’t have enough money on your ticket to exit, don’t worry. You can add more at the Add Fare machine in the station.

Ride-Sharing Apps

With app-based transportation services, including Lyft and Uber, you can arrange to ride with drivers using their personal, non-commercial vehicles via smartphone. These services pick up passengers on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage. This video demonstrates how to find your ride at SFO. Fares and travel times vary according to demand and traffic.

Shared Van & Shuttle Service

Several privately-owned, shared-ride vans provide service between SFO and passenger-specified locations. The one-way rate from SFO to the city center is approximately $17. Depending on the number of passengers, shared ride vans may make multiple stops, so the travel time can vary. In the Domestic Terminals, shuttles pick up passengers curbside on the Arrivals Level. In the International Terminal, passenger pick-up is on the Arrivals Level roadway center island.

Taxis & Limousines

SFO is served by a number of taxi and limousine companies. Taxis depart from roadway islands on the lower level outside the Arrivals/Baggage Claims area in all terminals. Uniformed taxi coordinators work from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. to ensure a smooth process for travelers. All cabs are metered. The travel time to popular drop-off points in downtown San Francisco is usually around 30 minutes (depending on traffic) and fares range from $45 to 60.

For a limousine, arrange service in advance with your company of choice or upon arrival via the Lodging, Transportation and Attraction Boards, which provide free phone connections to participating limousine operators. These boards are located on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals. Contact the service provider for pricing and availability.

SamTrans Buses

The San Mateo County Transit Agency (SamTrans) runs public buses between SFO and downtown San Francisco on the SFO, 292, and 398 lines for $2-$5 one-way for adults. Find SamTrans bus stops in the following locations at each terminal:

• Terminal 2: Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level, center island adjacent to Courtyard 2.
• Terminal 3: Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level, curbside adjacent to Courtyard 4.
• International Terminal: Level 1 at Courtyard A and curbside adjacent to Courtyard G.

Parking

San Francisco neighborhoods and popular tourist destinations are often sprinkled with a myriad of parking options, including metered parking.  However, we encourage visitors to take the confusion and anxiety out of the equation and heading to SpotHero to reserve parking ahead of your trip or while you're in town. 

Flying into San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)

BART

Taking BART from OAK is an easy and low-cost option to get to San Francisco. After you’ve picked up your luggage, look for BART signs in the baggage claim. The station is located across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and a short walk from Terminal 2. Board a train for the quick eight-minute ride from OAK to the BART Coliseum station, where you can transfer to the BART train bound for your final destination in San Francisco.

OAK trains depart every 5 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Service is less frequent at other times. Round trip BART fares from OAK to San Francisco ($22), downtown Oakland ($17.20) or other East Bay cities are less than half the cost of taxis or shuttles to the same destination.

• More Info: How to Get to San Francisco from Oakland

Ride-Sharing Apps

Smartphone app-based transportation services like Lyft and Uber serve OAK, providing rides via drivers in their personal, non-commercial vehicles. Arrange your ride via the app, and then follow the signs for Smartphone App Rides in Terminals 1 and 2. Drivers wait for passengers on the second curb of the pickup area. Fares and travel times vary according to demand and local traffic, but a typical ride from OAK to San Francisco takes approximately 45 minutes and ranges in price from $30 to 45.

Shuttle, taxi and limo service prices vary for shuttles, taxis and limousines from OAK to San Francisco. There are multiple options and special prices for traveling groups.

Flying into San Jose Airport (SJC)

Caltrain

Caltrain provides commuter rail service along the San Francisco Peninsula. From the San Jose Airport, take the Airport Flyer-VTA Route #60 bus to the Santa Clara Transit Center. A new shuttle departs approximately every 15 to 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. One-way fare is $2.

Caltrain fares are based on the number of zones that are partially or wholly traveled through by the passenger. There are two Caltrain stops in San Francisco: 22nd Street and Fourth Street. Both are in Zone 1. Allow a minimum of 60 minutes to arrive in San Francisco. Occasionally, the trip might take longer.

• More Info: How to Get to San Francisco from San Jose

Shuttles

Prices vary for shuttle service from SJC. There are also multiple options and special prices for traveling groups. 

Arriving by Train

Amtrak offers a comfortable and enjoyable way to get to San Francisco. The city is served via Thruway bus connections at Emeryville. Ride with the convenience of amenities and picturesque scenery right outside your window as you explore what the Bay Area has to offer.

• From the North, take the Coast Starlight from Seattle and Portland.
• From the South, the Coast Starlight travels daily from Los Angeles.
• From the East, the California Zephyr travels from Chicago and Denver daily.
• The Amtrak San Joaquin offers departures from Bakersfield and Fresno.

The Capitol Corridor, also operated by Amtrak, serves 18 stops between Sacramento and Silicon Valley.

Getting Around San Francisco

Muni

Muni is San Francisco’s bus and metro system that runs throughout the city, operating buses, trains, cable cars and the F-line streetcar. Muni buses remain above ground and on streets while Muni Metro runs on rails and sometimes go underground. Bus stops come in many forms: small bus shelters, yellow paint on street poles, and white paint on streets. Metro stops can be found on an island in the middle of the street and in underground stations. Using the Metro Map, find the nearest Metro to your location.

• More Info: How to use Muni and Muni Metro

Cable Cars and Street Cars

Cable cars and street cars are San Francisco’s historic public transit. Cable cars are located downtown and run on three lines: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street. The F-Line streetcar runs up and down Market Street all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. Purchase fares in advance at multiple locations or via smartphone using the MuniMobile app. A Clipper Card will work on both cable cars and streetcars.