USA: San Francisco
How to get to and from hundreds of the world's airports by car, bus, train and other forms of public transport. Updates and requests for inclusion in these pages are welcomed. Information is from many sources including personal visits and may no longer be accurate.
Legal Disclaimer Last Update 10-Nov-13San Francisco Intl (SFO):
Location: 23km/14 Miles SW of the City centre.
Airport Overview: A vast airport divided into 4 terminals (1, 2, 3 & Intl) and a number of concourses (A-G). A monorail called the Air Train connects these terminals and the car rental center. The Intl terminal is made up of concourses A and G, and all operations are divided in 2. There are 2 check in zones, and 2 arrival channels. Make sure you know which concourse your airline uses. Terminal 2 is currently closed for renovation. The other concourses/terminals are used for domestic flights. The concourses are in a large circle, and it is possible to walk between them, but the Airtrain is free and regular.
Airline Locations: Intl Terminal: Concourse A: Air France, Alaska Airlines flights to Mexico, Asiana, Belair, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, JetBlue domestic flights, KLM, Korean, Northwest Intl flights, Philippine Airlines, QANTAS, TACA, Virgin America & Virgin Atlantic. Concourse G: Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Eva Air, Lufthansa, Mixicana, Singapore Airlines, Spirit domestic flights & United Airlines Intl flights. Terminal 1: Concourse B: Continental, AirTran & Sun Country. Concourse C: Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest domestic flights, Frontier, Alaska Airlines USA & Canada flights, Horizon Air, US Airways, America West & Southwest. Terminal 2: Closed. Terminal 3: Concourse E: Air Canada, American Airlines, American Eagle & Midwest. Concourse F: United domestic flights, United Express & Ted.
| By Limo: | |
|---|---|
| There are free phones in each terminal baggage claim area to call a limo or taxi. | |
| Ultra Limousine & Executive Sedan Service: | Operate from the airport to Yolo County, Solano County & Sacramento County area. For a one way trip, $216 for up to 3 passengers in an L-Series Town Car and $312 for up to six passengers. Tel (530) 668 0988. |
| Stars Limo: | Tel 1 800 496 6532. |
| City Limousine: | Tel 1 800 956 5466. |
| Nationwide Limo Service: | Tel 1 800 339 8936. |
| Airport Commuter Limo: | Tel 1 888 876 1777. |
| By Taxi: | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Taxis can be found outside each terminal on the lower/arrivals level, on the center island. |
| Taxi Meters: | San Francisco Taxi metersuse the following to calculate fares: Flag fall $3.10. Each extra fifth of a mile $0.45. Each minute waiting $0.45. Airport surcharge $2. Bridge tolls are charged extra. For trips of more than 15 miles, a 50% excess is charged. Up to 5 passengers ride for the same price. |
| Typical Taxi Costs: | San Francisco: To Downtown/Union Sq $33-40/15-30 mins, to Fisherman's Wharf $44 & Cow Palace $29. South San Francisco $17. Peninsula/South Bay: Agnew $117, Atherton $68, Bay Meadows $26, Belmont $30, Boulder Creek $200, Brisbane $20, Burlingame $16, Campbell $139, Carmel $371, Colma $25, Cupertino $117, Daly City $30, Foster City $27, Great America $114, Half Moon Bay $79, Hillsborough $19, La Honda $113, Los Altos Hills $97, Los Gatos $142, Menlo Park $71, Millbrae $13, Milpitas $128, Moffet Field $95, Montara $62, Monterey $352, Mountain View $97, Pacifica $27, Palo Alto $79, Portola Valley $88, Princeton $72, Redwood City $42, San Bruno $13, San Carlos $36, San Jose $134, San Jose Airport $124, San Mateo $24, Santa Clara $122, Santa Cruz $214, Saratoga $131, Stanford $83, South San Francisco $17, Sunnyvale $106, Watsonville $264 & Woodside $76. East Bay: Alameda $72, Albany $69, Antioch $212, Benicia $177, Berkeley $68, Brentwood $262, Castro Valley $96, Concord $159, Crockett $149, Danville $163, Dublin $128, El Cerrito $73, El Sobrante $127, Emeryville $59, Fairfield $212, Fremont $113, Hayward $88, Lafayette $128, Livermore $161, Mare Island $169, Martinez $178, Modesto $329, Moraga $133, Napa $209, Newark $110, Oakland $68, Oakland Airport $84, Orinda $78, Pinole $130, Pittsburg $198, Pleasanton $146, Richmond $78, Rodeo $139, Sacramento $347, San Leandro $109, San Lorenzo $96, San Pablo $82, San Ramon $164, Stockton $302, Tracy $228, Travis Air Force Base $231, Union City $102, Vallejo $159, Walnut Creek $139. North Bay: Belvedere $79, Bolinas $160, Calistoga $318, Corte Madera $75, Cotati $223, Fairfax $133, Greenbrae $83, Guerneville $314, Ignacio $145, Kentfield $82, Larkspur $77, Marin City $65, Mill Valley $72, Muir Woods $73, Napa $209, Novato $156, Petaluma $193, Point Reyes $191, Rio Nido $311, Ross $83, San Anselmo $85, San Rafael $83, San Quentin $86, San Rafael $83, Santa Rosa $247, Sausalito $65, Sonoma $212, Stinson Beach $138, Terra Linda $134, Tiburon $80, Tomales $254, Woodacre $144. |
| Taxi Companies: | Luxor Cab (415) 282 4141, Royal Taxi (415) 920 0700, San Francisco Taxicab (415) 333 3333 & Town Taxi (415) 401 8900. |
| By Sam Trans Local Bus: | |
|---|---|
| General: | Local Bus services serving the Airport are operated by SamTrans tel 1-800 660 4287 or www.samtrans.com. Direct routes connect the airport with Daly City BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit Train System) station, Colma BART, San Francisco Transbay Terminal and Stonestown Galleria (near San Francisco State University). SamTrans buses stop at the following locations: Intl Terminal: Level 1 in Courtyard A, and curbside in Courtyard G next to the roadway. Terminal 2: On the lower/arrivals level at the Center Island. Terminal 3: Curbside next to Courtyard 4. |
| Route 292 to San Francisco & Hillsdale: | Route: Hillsdale Shopping Center San Mateo - Burlingame - Saratoga/Park Place - San mateo cal Train Station - California/Howard - SFO Airport - United Maintenance Base South San Francisco - Brisbane Park & Ride - Downtown San Francisco (Mission & 1st, Transbay Terminal). Timings: This route runs daily 0530-0115 with buses running ~every 30 mins during the day, to every hour in the evening. Travel Time: To the airport from the city is ~1 hour. Cost: Adult: $1.50, Seniors $0.75. Youth $1. Child: 1 child 4 and younger rides free with each fare paying adult or senior. Exact money required as no change given. |
| Route KX to San Francisco & Palo Alto: | Route: San Francisco (Mission & 1st - Transbay Terminal) - SFO Airport - Belmont - San Carlos - Redwood City - Atherton - Menlo Park - Palo Alto. Timings: Weekday services run 0553-2237 twice per hour until 2023, then once per hour. On Sat and Sun the service begins at 0635 with 2 buses per hour until 1936, then 1 per hour until 2130. Bulky luggage cannot be carried on this service. Travel Time: From downtown San Francisco to the Airport ~35 mins. Cost: Adult: $4 to downtown San Francisco, or $1.50 locally, Seniors $2/$0.75. Youth $2/$1. Child: 1 child 4 and younger rides free with each fare paying adult or senior. Exact money required as no change given. |
| Route 297/397 night bus to San Francisco & Palo Alto: | Route: Runs overnight on the route Palo Alto Caltrain station - Redwood City - San Carlos - San Mateo - Burlingame - Millbrae - SFO Airport - South San Francisco - Brisbane - Downtown San Francisco (Transbay Terminal). Timings: Buses leave the airport heading North towards San Francisco every morning at 0156, 0256 & 0356. Buses leave the airport heading South towards Palo Alto every morning at 0201, 0301, 0401 & 0501. Cost: Adult: $1.50, Seniors $0.75. Youth $1. Child: 1 child 4 and younger rides free with each fare paying adult or senior. Exact money required as no change given. |
| By Long Distance Bus: | |
|---|---|
| Evans Airport Service to Vallejo & Napa: | Runs services to Vallejo & Napa. Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0630 (not weekends or holidays), 0815, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1630, 1830, 2030 & 2230. Cost: Adult $29 cash only. Children under 13 travelling to Napa half price. Contact: (707) 255 1559. |
| Santa Cruz Airporter Bus to Santa Cruz & Beyond: | Route: SFO Airport - San Jose Airport ($20) - Scotts Valley ($50) - Santa Cruz ($50) - Soquel/Capitola ($50) - Aptos ($50) - Watsonville ($50). Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800 & 2000. Buses leave Santa Cruz daily every 2 hrs 0730-1730. Contact: Tel 1 800 497 4997 or (831) 475 0234 or (831) 423 1214. Reservations on this bus are strongly recommended. |
| Monterey Airbus: | Route: San Francisco Airport - San Jose Airport (Terms A, Intl Arrivals & C) - Prunedale Chevron Station - Marina - Monterey Transit Plaza. Note: Passengers traveling from San Jose Airport to SFO airport can only board at Terminal C. Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0645, 0815, 0945, 1115, 1245, 1415, 1545, 1715, 1845, 2015 & 2200. Buses leave Monterey daily at 0400, 0530, 0700, 0830, 1000, 1130, 1300, 1430, 1600, 1730 & 1900. Buses leave Prunedale 30 mins later. Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0645, 0815, 0945, 1115, 1245, 1415, 1545, 1715, 1845, 2015 & 2200. Travel Time: To San Jose Airport 45 mins, Prunedale 1:45 & Monterey 2:15. Cost: To San Jose airport $15, to Monterey $40, to Prunedale $35. Contact: (831) 373 7777. Reservations on this bus are strongly recommended. Contact: 1 831 373 7777. Reservations on this bus are strongly recommended. |
| Marin Airporter to Sausalito & Marin County: | Route: SFO Airport - Sausalito/Spencer ($18) - Mill Valley/Manzanita/Seminary ($18) - Larkspur ($19) - San Rafael Transportation Center ($19) - Ignacio Hamilton Terminal ($21). Children under 5 free, children (5-9) half price. Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0500, then every 30-60 mins until midnight. Contact: Tel (415) 461 4222. Credit cards not accepted. |
| Sonoma County Airport Express to Sonoma County: | Route: SFO Airport - Petaluma - Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa - Sonoma County Airport. Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0515, 0645, 0800, 0900, 1000, 1100, 1230, 1400, 1530, 1700, 1830, 2000, 2130, 2300 & 0030. Cost: Adult one way $32, senior (62 and over) $30, Child (under 12) free with an adult, Airport & Airline employees $15. Contact: Tel 1 800 327 2024 or (707) 837 8700. |
| Sonoma Airporter to Sonoma County: | Route: SFO Airport - Sonoma - Infineon Raceway - Glen Ellen - Kenwood - Oakmont. Timings: Buses leave SFO airport daily at 0840, 1140, 1440 & 1740. Cost: Adult one way $50, Child (under 2) free, Child (2-11) $35. Contact: Tel (707) 938 4246 or 1 800 611 4246. |
| By Shuttle Van: | |
|---|---|
| A bewildering array of Shuttle companies operate at this airport, most serving downtown, but others to more specific areas. They usually depart from the upper/departures level at the center island. The following shuttles operate on demand and no reservation is needed for a trip from the airport. For trips back to the airport, a telephone booking is required: | |
| Advanced Airport Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Adults $15-16, children under 5 half price. Contact: Tel (650) 504 6641 or 1 888 862 8788. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| Airport Express: | Runs shuttles to the downtown area for $15-17. Runs every ~30 mins and takes 20-35 mins depending on traffic. Contact: (415) 775 5121. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| American Airporter Shuttle: | Runs shuttles to the downtown area for $16+. Contact: Tel (415) 202 0733. Shuttles depart from under the Red sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| Bay Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Adults $16, Children (2-10) $8. Whole van $55. Contact: (415) 564 3400. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| City Express Shuttle: | Runs shuttles from the airport to All Bay Area Cities. Contact: Tel 1 888 8SHUTTLE. |
| Citywide Shuttle Service: | Runs shuttles from the airport all over the Bay area. Contact: Tel 510 336 0090. |
| Go Lorrie's Airport Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Adults $16, Children (2-12) $8. Contact: (415) 334 9000. Shuttles depart from under the Red sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| M & M Luxury Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area and to Alameda & Contra Costa Counties. To Downtown $14. To Alameda County $25-39, to Contra Costa County $27-45. Contact: (415) 552 3200. |
| Pacific Airport Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Hotels & residences $16. Contact: (415) 681 6318. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| Peter's Airport Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area for $14-16. Contact: (650) 577 8858. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| Quake City Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Adults $14-16, Seniors $12, Children $8. Contact: (415) 255 4899. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| SF City Shuttle: | Run shuttles to the downtown area. Hotels & residences $15. Contact: 1 888 850 7878 or (415) 822 2648. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| South & East Bay Shuttle: | Runs shuttles to Hotels, businesses & residences in San Mateo County ($11-47), Santa Clara ($17-69), Alameda ($34-79) & Contra Costa Counties ($79-149). Contact: 1 800 548 4664 or (408) 225 4444. Shuttles depart from under the Yellow sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| Super Shuttle: | Runs to Downtown hotels from $17 and to residences from $17 for the first person & $10 for each extra person to the same address. Runs to San Mateo County $18-32. Runs to Santa Clara County $26-95. Runs to Alameda Country $32-90. Runs to Contra Costa County $49-89. Contact: Tel (415) 558 8500. Shuttles depart from under the Blue sign on the Ticketing level, on the center island of each terminal. |
| VIP Airport Express: | Runs shuttles to San Mateo County ($15-21) & Santa Clara County ($20-34) Counties. Contact: (408) 885 1800 or 1 800 235 8847. |
| The following shuttles operate with a reservation only from the airport. For trips back to the airport, a telephone booking is also required: | |
| Bayporter Express: | Run shuttles to San Mateo County ($20-55 for the first person, each extra person $12), to Alameda County $25-50 & to Contra Costa County $29-50. Contact: 1 877 467 1800 or (415) 467 1800. |
| Davis Airporter: | Serves Solano, Yola & Sacramento Counties. Cost: $40-70 for the first passenger. Each extra passenger to the same destination half price. Contact: 1 800 565 5153 or (530) 756 6715. |
| East Bay Connection: | Serves Contra Costa County hotels ($28) & residences ($28-43). Contact: Tel 1 800 675 3278 or (925) 945 0268. |
| Fairfield Airporter: | Serves Solano, Yola & Napa Counties. Cost: $25-70. Contact: 1 877 424 7767 or (707) 421 9469. |
| Marin County Airport Express: | Serves Marin, Napa & Sonoma Counties. Cost: Adults $28-109, Seniors $26-107. One child under 2 free. Contact: Tel (415) 666 0166. |
| By Train: | |
|---|---|
| Bay Area Rapid Transit Train all over the Bay Area: | BART is a metro train system which runs all over the San Francisco Bay area. It is fast, clean and efficient. There is a BART train station at the airport in the Intl terminal, G concourse. The most useful station for downtown San Francisco (city center) is Powell St. Trains take about 30 mins to get there and cost $8,65. (March15) Tickets must be bought from a machine in the station. BART Route Map. Contact: Tel 1 800 676 1611 or (650) 992 2278. Routes: The line that includes San Francisco airport is the Blue Line running from Millbrae to Dublin/Pleasanton. Details: Millbrae - SFO Airport - San Bruno - South San Francisco - Colma, Daly City - Balboa Park (change here to other lines) - Glen Park - 24th St Mission - 16th St Mission - Civic Center - Powell St - Montgomery St - Embarcadero -then to the other side of the bay via tunnel - West Oakland - Lake Merritt - Fruitvale - Coliseum/Oakland Airport - San Leandro - Bay Fair - Castro Valley - Dublin/Pleasanton. Timings: Train leave the airport heading for Dublin/Pleasanton Mon-Fri every 15 mins 0407-2346. Saturdays every 20 mins 0556-2346. Sundays every 20 mins 0756-2346. The last train leaving from the airport for Millbrae leaves at about 0100. Travel Times: To Downtown San Francisco/Powell St ~30 mins, Coliseum/Oakland Airport ~56 mins, to Dublin/Pleasanton 1:15. Cost: Fare from the airport to downtown $5.35. Millbrae (for Cal Train) $1.50, San Bruno $4.05, South San Francisco $4.05, Colma $4.50, Daly City $4.70, Balboa Park $4.70, Embarcadero $5.35, Downtown Berkeley $5.90, Coliseum/Oakland Airport $6.05 (plus another $2 on the shuttle bus to Oakland airport terminal), San Leandro $6.30, Hayward $6.70, Fremont $7.65, Walnut Creek $6.90 & Concord $7.40. |
| Air Train: | Air Train is the free monorail system which connects all the airport terminals with the BART, West Field Road Cargo Facility, Long Term Car Parking & the Car rental center. There are 2 AirTrain lines, the RED line which connects the different terminals in a loop, and the BLUE line which runs round all terminals and to the Rental Car center. It runs 24 hrs. Air Train has stops at Concourses A, B, D (currently closed), F & G. Both lines also stop at car parking garages A & G. The BART station is at garage G. |
| Caltrain to San Francisco, Santa Clara & San Jose: | Trains run from nearby Millbrae BART station to San Francisco, Santa Clara & San Jose. To get to the Caltrain station from the airport, take the BART train from the Intl terminal to Millbrae (5 mins $1.50), and change platforms there. The Caltrain station in San Francisco is not conveniently located for the city centre, being at 4th/Townsend. It is best reached by taxi (from Union Square: 10 mins $6-7) or by bus (Buses 15, 30 or 45 from Union Square). Route: San Francisco Caltrain station - 22nd St - Bayshore - South San Francisco - San Bruno - Millbrae (change here for the BART train to San Francisco Airport. $1.50/5 mins) - Burlingame - San Mateo - Hayward Park - Hillsdale - Belmont - San Carlos - Redwood City - Menlo Park - Palo Alto - California Avenue - San Antonio - Mountain View - Sunnyvale - Lawrence - Santa Clara (change here for the shuttle bus to San Jose Airport) - College Park - San Jose Diridon - Tamien (not all trains). Timings: Trains leave Millbrae heading North towards San Francisco Mon-Fri at 0533, 0608, 0624, then every 20-40 mins or so until 1953, 2113, 2213 & 2333. Saturdays at 0808, then every hour until 2208 & 2338. Sundays at 0908, then every hour until 2208. Trains leave Millbrae heading South towards San Jose Mon-Fri at 0519, 0549, 0629, then every 20-40 mins or so until 1944, 2049, 2224 & 0025. Saturdays at 0824, then every hour until 2224 & 0025. Sundays at 0824, then every hour until 2124. Trains leave San Francisco Caltrain station heading South towards Millbrae Mon-Fri at 0455, then every 20-40 mins or so until 1920, 2025, 2200 & 0001. Saturdays at 0800, then every hour until 2200 & 0001. Sundays at 0800, then every hour until 2100. Travel Times: From Millbrae to San Francisco 25 mins, Santa Clara 1 hour. San Jose 1:05. Cost: Fares are on a zonal basis, and tickets must be bought before boarding the train. To Redwood City & Burlingame $2.25, San Bruno $4, South San Francisco $4, San Francisco $4. Menlo Park $4, Santa Clara $5.75 & San Jose $5.75. Day passes are available. Tickets cannot be bought on the train. Contact: Tel 1 800 660 4287. |
| Rental Cars: | |
|---|---|
| On-Airport Rental Car Providers: | Use the AirTrain BLUE line from all terminals to reach the Car Rental Center. It is the only means of getting there. The following companies are represented: ALAMO, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, HERTZ, National & Thrifty. |
| Off-Airport Rental Car Providers: | Off Airport companies include ABC, Able, Airport, Fox, PAYLESS & Rent-A-Wreck. |
| Airport to Airport: | |
|---|---|
| To San Jose Airport: | By Taxi: $124. By Bus: Santa Cruz Airporter Bus (see bus section above). $20. South Bay Flyer Bus 1 888 463 5937 & Monterey/Salinas Airbus (831) 883 2871. |
| To Oakland Airport: | Taxi ~$84. By Train: BART train to Coliseum/Oakland Airport stop ($5.80), then a shuttle bus ($2) to the terminal). |
| To Sonoma County Airport: | Sonoma Co Airport Express Bus 41 (1 800 327 2024 or 707 837 8700). |
| Car Parking: | |
|---|---|
| Hourly & Daily Parking: | Domestic Terminals: $1 per 12 mins with a $33 maximum for 24 hrs. Intl Terminals: $1 per 12 mins with a $20 maximum for 24 hrs. |
| Long Term Parking: | Reached by a free shuttle bus. Daily maximum charge of $13. |
| ParkFAST: | Very close to Terminal 3. $1 per 12 mins. ParkFAST members daily maximum charge of $33. Non members $35. |
| ParkVALET: | $38 maximum for the first 24 hrs, then $45 per 24 hrs. |
| Cell Phone Waiting Lot: | There is now a cellphone waiting car park at this airport, where cars may wait for arriving passengers to call. There is a 60 minute max waiting time, and it is open 0500-0100. Waiting is free. It is near the long term parking lots. |
Steve's Tip: For most travellers, a taxi, or the BART are the ideal ways to reach the city center.
Baggage Storage: Lockers are available at the Airport Travel Agency on the departures level of the Intl terminal, near the security point for concourse G.
Airport Hotels: There is an information board in each arrivals area with a freephone for calling local hotels: Clarion Hotel San Francisco Airport Tel 1 800 223 7111, Travelodge San Francisco Airport South, Courtyard Marriott San Francisco Airport Tel (650) 952 3333, Red Roof Inn, Sheraton Gateway Hotel, La Quinta Tel (650) 583 2223, Westin San Francisco Airport (650) 692 3500, Airport North Travelodge Tel (650) 583 9600, Hilton Garden Inn Tel (650) 347 7800, Comfort Inn Airport West (415) 952 3200, Howard Johnson (650) 589 9055 & Hampton Inn.
Notes: ATMs/Cash machines in all terminals. Hotel and transport company courtesy phones are in the arrival halls. Luggage Carts cost $3 to hire.
Airport Website: www.flysfo.com
Airport Tel No: +1 650 821 4001. Lost & Found:(650) 821 7014.
Updated Nov13 ADV. Last Visit Sep11
