How to Get from SFO to Downtown San Francisco

There are several ways to travel between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and downtown San Francisco, ranging from budget-friendly public transit to door-to-door private cars.

All Transportation Options

• BART — direct rail service from SFO to downtown San Francisco (~30 min) and East Bay
• SamTrans bus — local and express routes to Peninsula cities
• Caltrain — via SamTrans connection to Millbrae Caltrain station
• Ride-share & taxi — pickup on Level 5 Departures roadway or designated zones
• Rental car center — via AirTrain to Rental Car Center station

Taking the Train from SFO

SFO has direct rail/train service, which is often the most cost-effective and reliable option, especially during rush hour when road traffic is heavy. BART — direct rail service from SFO to downtown San Francisco (~30 min) and East Bay. Caltrain — via SamTrans connection to Millbrae Caltrain station. Rental car center — via AirTrain to Rental Car Center station.

Cheapest to Most Expensive

• Public transit: $2–15 — Slowest but cheapest
• Shared ride-share (UberX/Lyft): $15–40 — Good balance of cost and convenience
• Taxi: $25–60+ — Fixed rates may be available to city center
• Private car: $50–100+ — Most comfortable, door-to-door

For the complete transportation breakdown, see our SFO ground transportation guide. For driving directions, use the interactive map on our SFO airport guide.

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