San Francisco Airport Transfers: SFO & Oakland Guide

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) sits 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco in San Mateo County. It is uniquely served by BART rail directly within the terminal campus — making it one of the best-connected airports for public transit in the US. Oakland International Airport (OAK) across the Bay is a popular alternative, also served by BART via a connector shuttle.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

BART is the fastest and most reliable way to reach San Francisco from SFO. The airport’s AirTrain (free, runs 24 hours) connects all terminals and the International Terminal to the SFO BART station, which is inside the airport campus.

Key BART stops from SFO:

• Millbrae — transfer point for Caltrain (for Peninsula and Silicon Valley)
• 16th Street Mission — Mission District, approximately 25 minutes
• 24th Street Mission — Noe Valley / Mission, approximately 27 minutes
• Civic Center/UN Plaza — Tenderloin/City Hall area, approximately 28 minutes
• Powell Street — Union Square, approximately 31 minutes
• Montgomery Street — Financial District, approximately 32 minutes
• Embarcadero — Ferry Building, approximately 29 minutes

Cost (as of 2026): Approximately $11.65 from SFO to downtown SF stations. Pay with a Clipper card (contactless) or purchase a BART ticket at station machines. The Clipper card charges exact fares electronically.

Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes during off-peak hours; every 10–15 minutes during peak commute periods. BART operates approximately 5am–midnight Monday–Friday, 6am–midnight Saturday, 8am–midnight Sunday.

Note: BART does not run overnight. For late-night arrivals, rideshare or a taxi is necessary.

SamTrans Bus

SamTrans Route 398 (“PresidiGo Downtown” and local routes) provides a direct bus connection between SFO and downtown San Francisco. It departs from the lower level of the International Terminal.

The service stops at Millbrae BART, Bayshore, and continues to the Temporary Transbay Terminal (1st and Howard Streets, near Salesforce Park).

Cost (as of 2026): Approximately $5 flat fare. Accepts Clipper card.

Journey time: Approximately 45–70 minutes to downtown, depending on traffic on the 101 Freeway and surface streets. Less predictable than BART but useful if BART is not running (late night) or your destination is on the SamTrans route.

SamTrans Route 292 also runs to the Daly City BART station, where you can connect to BART for San Francisco destinations.

Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

Rideshare pickups at SFO are at the designated rideshare zones on the upper level of the Domestic Terminals (at each terminal’s departures level) and the International Terminal’s upper level. Follow in-app directions — do not wait at the regular taxi queue.

Approximate fares to San Francisco (as of 2026):

• Union Square / Downtown: approximately $35–$60
• Mission District: approximately $35–$55
• Pacific Heights / Marina: approximately $40–$65
• Fisherman’s Wharf: approximately $40–$65
• Castro: approximately $38–$60

Surge pricing is common during the Friday evening commute (4–7pm) and on days with major events at Oracle Park, Chase Center, or Golden Gate Park.

Taxi

Taxis queue at the dedicated taxi stands on the lower (arrivals) level of each terminal. San Francisco taxis are metered.

Approximate fares from SFO (as of 2026):

• Downtown / Union Square: approximately $50–$65 before tip
• Mission District: approximately $50–$65
• Fisherman’s Wharf: approximately $55–$70

An additional airport surcharge of approximately $4–$5 applies at SFO. Taxis are available 24 hours.

Private Transfer

For arrivals with fixed timetables, business travel, or groups, pre-booked private transfers eliminate uncertainty and provide a fixed rate. Book through [/go/transfers-usa] (Kiwitaxi), compare with [/go/transfers-usa-gettransfer] (GetTransfer), or book through [/go/welcome-pickups-usa] (Welcome Pickups).

Typical rates from SFO (as of 2026):

• To downtown San Francisco: approximately $70–$95 for a standard sedan
• To Union Square / Fisherman’s Wharf: approximately $70–$95
• To Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Mountain View): approximately $80–$120

Private transfers operate 24 hours and adjust for flight delays automatically.

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Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Oakland Airport is 20 miles east of downtown San Francisco across the Bay. It serves budget airlines and Southwest routes at lower fares than SFO on many routes, and is worth considering if you’re staying in the Mission, SOMA, or anywhere near a BART line.

BART Oakland Airport Connector

The Oakland Airport Connector (automated people mover) runs between OAK terminals and the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART station in approximately 8 minutes. It operates 24 hours a day.

Cost (as of 2026): Approximately $3.20 for the Connector, paid at the BART station. BART fare from Coliseum to San Francisco stations (Embarcadero, Powell, Civic Center) is approximately $9.00–$10.20 additional. Total OAK to downtown SF: approximately $12–$13 and approximately 45–55 minutes.

Clipper card is accepted. BART from Coliseum runs the same hours as from SFO.

Rideshare

Rideshare pickups at OAK are at the Ground Transportation Center on the lower level. Fares to San Francisco are comparable to SFO.

Approximate rideshare fares from OAK (as of 2026):

• Downtown San Francisco: approximately $40–$65
• Mission District: approximately $38–$60
• Berkeley: approximately $18–$30

Note that OAK rideshare fares include the Bay Bridge toll (approximately $7–$8), which is often factored into the fare estimate.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked transfers from OAK to San Francisco typically run approximately $75–$100. Book via [/go/transfers-usa] or [/go/welcome-pickups-usa].

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Comparing Your Options

Route	Method	Approx. cost	Approx. time
SFO → Downtown SF	BART	$11.65	29–32 min
SFO → Downtown SF	SamTrans 398	$5	45–70 min
SFO → Downtown SF	Rideshare	$35–$60	25–45 min
SFO → Downtown SF	Private transfer	$70–$95	25–45 min
OAK → Downtown SF	BART Connector + BART	$12–$13	45–55 min
OAK → Downtown SF	Rideshare	$40–$65	30–50 min

Costs and times as of 2026. BART times are consistent; surface routes vary with Bay Bridge and freeway traffic.

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Tips for San Francisco Airport Transfers

BART is almost always the best option from SFO. It is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than rideshare during rush hours. The only exception: late-night arrivals (after midnight) when BART doesn’t run, or large groups with multiple bags.

Use a Clipper card. BART is slightly cheaper with a Clipper card vs. a single-use ticket, and it’s accepted across all Bay Area transit systems — Muni, BART, SamTrans, and Caltrain. Add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay before you travel.

Oakland is a solid choice for BART-accessible neighbourhoods. If you’re staying in the Mission, SOMA, or anywhere near a BART line, OAK arrivals + BART can be more convenient than the cab/rideshare ordeal at peak SFO times.

Late-night arrivals need a backup plan. BART stops around midnight. For flights landing after midnight, pre-book a transfer through [/go/transfers-usa] to avoid surge-priced rideshare at 1am.

Fog doesn’t affect ground transfers. SF is famously foggy, but it doesn’t cause the kind of road disruption that snow creates elsewhere. Your transfer time will be consistent regardless of weather.

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