For a public-transit route from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown San Francisco and the Union Square area, take BART to Powell Street. Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK) is another option, with a drive of about 30 minutes to Inn on Broadway.
- SFO to downtown: BART takes about 30 minutes.
- SFO station: In the International Terminal, with AirTrain connections from all terminals.
- OAK to Inn on Broadway: About 30 minutes by car.
- SFO taxi: Metered fares include a $6.00 airport exit surcharge.
Which airport are you arriving at?
SFO has a direct BART connection to San Francisco, while the drive from OAK takes about 30 minutes to Inn on Broadway. If you’re choosing between the two, SFO offers a rail connection to downtown; OAK’s specified journey is by car.
How do you get from SFO to the Union Square area by transit?
BART connects SFO with downtown San Francisco, and the ride to downtown takes about 30 minutes. At SFO, the BART station is in the International Terminal; you can walk there from Terminals 1 and 3, or use the free AirTrain, which connects all terminals to the station.
Board a Yellow Line train toward Antioch or a Red Line train toward Richmond to reach one of BART’s four downtown San Francisco stations. Powell Street station is near Union Square, at Powell and Market Streets. From there, Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars and San Francisco Muni transit offer onward connections.
BART fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay. Each rider aged 5 or older needs their own card or device, and must use the same payment method to enter and exit. BART’s service hours vary by day, so check the official site before you go.
What are the SFO taxi and car options?
At SFO, taxis depart from designated zones on the roadway center islands at the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals. Uniformed taxi coordinators are stationed at the taxi zones from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available; you can request one from a coordinator or call *1107 from an airport courtesy phone.
SFO taxi fares are metered, with a $6.00 exit surcharge included in San Francisco taxicab meter fares for rides originating at the airport. Lyft and Uber use designated pickup locations that vary by terminal. The airport’s Rental Car Center is accessible by the AirTrain Blue Line.
What do you need to know about OAK to San Francisco?
The drive from OAK to the hotel takes about 30 minutes. For other ways to reach San Francisco from OAK, local transport connections and fares are worth checking before you travel.
How should you compare time, cost and luggage convenience?
SFO gives you a clear rail option to downtown: BART takes about 30 minutes, and its airport station connects with every terminal. A taxi or car is another option, with a taxi fare metered and including the airport surcharge.
For OAK, the drive takes about 30 minutes. Compare current fares and transit options for your travel time, and consider how you’ll manage luggage on your chosen route and any transfers. A one-day San Francisco itinerary can help you plan what to do after arriving.
FAQs
Does BART run from SFO to Union Square?
BART serves downtown San Francisco, and Powell Street station is near Union Square. From SFO, take a Yellow Line train toward Antioch or a Red Line train toward Richmond to reach one of BART’s four downtown stations.
Where is the BART station at SFO?
The station is in the International Terminal, on the Departures/Ticketing Level on the G Gates side. The free AirTrain connects all terminals to the station.
Where do taxis pick up passengers at SFO?
Taxis depart from designated roadway-center-island zones on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals. Uniformed taxi coordinators are stationed there from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Can you use a contactless card for BART?
Yes. BART fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay; each rider aged 5 or older must use their own card or device for entry and exit.