SFO taxis to downtown SF cost $45–60. BART gets you there in 30 minutes for $10.65. Here's the full guide to every SFO ground transport option in 2026.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 22 kilometres south of downtown San Francisco in San Mateo County. Taxis from SFO are metered, honest, and readily available — but BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) offers a direct rail connection to downtown for $10.65 that takes about 30 minutes. For groups of 2–3 heading to the city centre, taxis and Uber are competitive with BART on a per-person basis. For solo travellers, BART is the clear winner. This guide covers all ground transport options with accurate 2026 fares.
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Taxis at SFO depart from the Departures (upper) level of the International Terminal and all domestic terminals — follow signs for "Taxi." A taxi coordinator manages the queue and assigns you to the next available vehicle. All SFO taxis are metered; the $4.50 airport surcharge is added automatically at the start of the journey. Taxis to all San Francisco destinations are readily available around the clock. For destinations in Marin County (north of the Golden Gate Bridge), confirm the driver is willing before boarding — bridge tolls apply and some drivers prefer city runs.
BART connects SFO directly to downtown San Francisco via the SFO/Millbrae station on the Yellow Line (Antioch direction). Trains run every 10–20 minutes from 5am to midnight daily. From SFO to Powell Street (Union Square / Tenderloin area) takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $10.65. The BART station is inside the international terminal — a free AirTrain connects domestic terminals to the BART platform. For solo travellers and pairs, BART is dramatically cheaper than a taxi and surprisingly fast.
BART's Clipper card (reloadable transit card, available at BART stations and select retailers) gives a small discount over paper tickets and speeds up boarding. For a multi-day SF visit, loading $30–40 on a Clipper card at the airport covers all your city transit plus the return trip to SFO.
How much is a taxi from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
Approximately $45–60 all-in, including the $4.50 airport surcharge, for the 22km journey to Union Square or Civic Center. Uber is typically $35–55. BART costs $10.65 and takes 30 minutes.
Is BART worth taking from SFO?
For solo travellers, absolutely — $10.65 vs $45–60 taxi, and BART is actually faster than taxis during rush hour. For groups of 3 or more with heavy luggage heading to a central hotel, a taxi or Uber split three ways ($15–20/person) becomes competitive with BART tickets ($10.65 each).
How long does it take from SFO to downtown SF by taxi?
25–40 minutes in normal traffic. During commute hours (7–9am and 4–7pm), the US-101 and I-280 can be heavily congested — allow 50–75 minutes. BART bypasses surface traffic entirely and is more reliable for time-sensitive arrivals.
Are there tolls from SFO to San Francisco?
No — there are no bridge tolls on the direct US-101 route from SFO into San Francisco. Bay Bridge toll ($7.00) only applies for journeys to the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley). If your driver takes an unusual route, confirm before the journey.
Can I take a taxi from SFO to Silicon Valley?
Yes — SFO is actually closer to Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale than to downtown SF. Expect $35–50 to Palo Alto and $50–70 to San Jose. The Caltrain commuter rail is a cheaper option from SFO (transfer via BART to Millbrae, then Caltrain south).
Is there a direct bus from SFO to San Francisco?
SamTrans runs route ECR (Express Coastal Route) connecting SFO to San Francisco, Daly City, and the SF Caltrain station for $2.50 — very cheap but slow (45–75 minutes). The free AirTrain connects terminals to the SamTrans/BART station outside the international terminal.
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