Getting Around San Francisco
San Francisco offers visitors a well-developed public transportation network that makes exploring the city accessible without a car. The Bay Area is frequently recognized as one of the best and most extensive metropolitan regions in the United States for public transportation. Within the city itself, you'll find buses, light rail, cable cars, and connections to regional rail services that link San Francisco to the broader Bay Area.
Public Transit Payment
Most public transportation systems in the San Francisco Bay Area accept the Clipper Card, a reloadable electronic payment card that works across different agencies. This makes it convenient to move between buses, trains, and ferries without needing separate tickets for each mode. You can load money onto a Clipper Card and use it across the various transit systems throughout your visit.
The Rapid Transit System (BART)
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the sole rapid transit system in the Bay Area and the dominant provider of regional transportation. Within San Francisco, BART operates as a subway beneath Market Street with several underground stations that provide easy access to downtown areas. BART trains run frequently—typically three or four trains per hour on each route, meaning you'll generally wait less than five minutes between trains within the city. Trains run from early morning (4 AM on weekdays, 6 AM on Saturdays, and 8 AM on Sundays) through midnight.
BART also extends beyond the city, connecting San Francisco to the East Bay, the Peninsula, and San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. If you're traveling longer distances within the region, BART is often your best choice. The system also provides transfers to other regional rail services at key stations like Millbrae (where you can connect to Caltrain) and various East Bay stations.
Light Rail and Trams
San Francisco operates a light rail network called Muni Metro, which complements the bus service throughout the city. San Francisco is also home to the world's last manually-operated cable car system, offering both practical transportation and a distinctive tourist experience.
Bus Services
Local trips on transit within San Francisco are frequently accomplished by bus services operated by San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni). Buses are the primary way many residents make short trips around the city. Muni also operates some light rail services. The transit agency is pursuing improvements to bus service, including bus rapid transit systems with separated right-of-ways and traffic signaling on busy corridors like Geary and Van Ness.
Regional Rail Connections
If you're traveling beyond San Francisco to other parts of the Bay Area or further afield, several rail options are available:
- Caltrain provides commuter rail service on the San Francisco Peninsula, connecting San Francisco, San Jose, Gilroy, and numerous communities in between. The San Francisco terminal is located at Fourth and King Streets in the SoMa neighborhood, which is served by Muni Metro, giving you connections to the rest of the city.
- Commuter rail services also include SMART (Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit) serving Sonoma and Marin counties, and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), which connects the Central Valley to Silicon Valley and terminates at San Jose.
- Amtrak intercity and long-distance trains serve the Bay Area, though the long-distance station is located in Emeryville across the bay. Connections to San Francisco are available via Amtrak Thruway buses or transfers to BART and Caltrain.
Ferries
Ferry service is available across San Francisco Bay, connecting different parts of the region. Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry operate services that link various bay communities.
Bicycles on Transit
Most transit systems in the Bay Area allow bicycles with no additional charge. Bay Wheels bike share service is available in certain parts of San Francisco, as well as in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, making it easy to rent bicycles for exploring the city and surrounding areas.
Walkability
San Francisco's neighborhoods vary in character and street layout, from urban cores with dense, slower streets to wider stroads in other areas. The city's downtown areas and many neighborhoods are quite walkable, allowing you to explore on foot once you've arrived in your destination area via transit.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services
Taxis are available throughout San Francisco but are considerably more expensive than public transportation options. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft operate in the city as well. Both taxis and ride-sharing services are more costly than BART or bus options, particularly during busy times. Ride-sharing pickups have designated locations separate from traditional taxi stands.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located about 10 miles south of the city and is the Bay Area's major international airport. Getting into the city from SFO is straightforward using several options:
BART from SFO
The most practical option for reaching downtown San Francisco is BART. The BART station is adjacent to the International Terminal. From the United domestic terminal, you can walk to BART in about five minutes, or use the free inter-terminal AirTrain shuttle service to reach the station. The BART ride to downtown San Francisco costs $8.95 one-way and runs frequently, typically every 15 or 20 minutes depending on the time of day. BART trains serve downtown stations directly, from where Muni can take you anywhere in the city.
Bus from SFO
SFO is also connected to San Francisco by SamTrans routes 292, 397, and 398, which operate non-stop service at $2 per trip.
Caltrain Connection
You can transfer from BART at the Millbrae station to reach Caltrain, which provides service to the Peninsula and South Bay.
Private Transportation from SFO
Taxi fares from SFO to the city can easily exceed $40 or more. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft may cost around $35 at low traffic times but can exceed taxi prices during busy periods. If you're renting a car, you can take the 101 freeway to reach downtown San Francisco.
Getting from Oakland and San Jose Airports
If you're arriving at one of the other major Bay Area airports, public transit options are also available:
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK): A people mover connects the airport to BART's Coliseum station. The total fare from Oakland Airport to downtown San Francisco via the connector and BART is approximately $10.20. Oakland is closer to downtown San Francisco than SFO and is typically fog-free, making it a practical alternative.
San Jose International Airport (SJC): A free shuttle service (VTA Route 10, called the Airport Flyer) connects the airport to both VTA light rail and Caltrain. From San Jose, you can take Caltrain directly to San Francisco's Fourth and King terminal at a modest fare, or use the shuttle to access other regional connections.