SFO to Downtown San Francisco and Silicon Valley
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, and the quickest ways from SFO to downtown San Francisco are BART, which leaves from the International Terminal, or a car north on US-101. For Silicon Valley, a car heading south is usually simplest, while rail travelers can change from BART to Caltrain at Millbrae.
This guide compares each option for both directions out of the airport, explains how to reach BART from any terminal, and helps you choose the right vehicle for your trip. For all our Bay Area routes, see our San Francisco airport transfers page.
SFO at a glance
SFO sits on the bay shore in San Mateo County, between San Francisco to the north and the Peninsula and Silicon Valley to the south. It has domestic Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and an International Terminal. The free AirTrain links all terminals, the BART station, the rental car center and parking garages.
If you arrive on an international flight, allow time for immigration and customs before you reach the arrivals hall.
SFO to downtown San Francisco: options compared
| Option | Where you board | Price certainty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private car | Meeting point in your confirmation | Fixed price before booking | Families, groups, business travelers, hotel door drop-off |
| BART | SFO station at the International Terminal | Fixed transit fare | Solo travelers with light luggage going to stations on the line |
| Taxi | Taxi zones outside the terminals | Metered; varies with traffic | Travelers without a booking |
| Rideshare app | Designated rideshare zones | Estimate; varies with demand | Travelers comfortable waiting at peak times |
Pre-booked private car
A car goes straight from the terminal to your hotel, office or home, which is useful in a city of steep hills where the nearest station may be a walk away. To downtown, drivers usually take US-101 north. The road is busy at rush hour, and journey times vary with traffic, events and weather.
With us, the price is fixed before you book, in US dollars, including tolls and the airport fee. The driver tracks your flight and adjusts the pickup to your actual landing time, and you receive the driver’s name and phone number before you land. Here are our fixed fares from SFO to popular destinations:
| To (from SFO) | Sedan | Minivan |
|---|---|---|
| Union Square | $103 | $129 |
| Fisherman’s Wharf | $109 | $137 |
| Financial District | $105 | $131 |
| Palo Alto | $125 | $156 |
One way, per vehicle, from the airport, including the airport fee. Your exact price for any address is on the booking form.
Meeting your driver
SFO has separate areas for different types of commercial vehicles, and these can vary by terminal. Your driver meets you at the terminal meeting point given in your confirmation. If you cannot see your driver, call the number you received before landing rather than leaving the meeting point.
BART from SFO
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has its own station at the airport, located on the departures level of the International Terminal. From the domestic terminals, take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART stop. Travelers arriving at the International Terminal can walk to the station.
Trains run into the city and stop at the downtown stations along Market Street, including Civic Center, Powell Street, Montgomery Street and Embarcadero. SFO’s own published travel times put the ride to downtown stations at roughly half an hour. Check bart.gov for current fares and the last train of the night, especially if you land late.
Is BART right for you?
- Good fit: you are traveling alone or as a couple, with carry-on or one suitcase each, and your hotel is near a Market Street station.
- Less suitable: you have several bags, small children or a late-night arrival, or you are staying in neighborhoods away from the line, such as the Marina, Pacific Heights or the northern waterfront.
Taxi and rideshare
Taxis wait at designated zones outside the terminals and are metered, so the fare depends on traffic and route. Rideshare pickups use designated zones; several of these are on the departures level rather than at arrivals, so follow the airport signs and your app’s directions after collecting your bags.
SFO to Silicon Valley
Many SFO arrivals are heading south rather than north. Popular destinations include Palo Alto and Stanford University, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. Drivers usually use US-101 or I-280 south, depending on the destination and traffic.
By car
For business travelers, a pre-booked car is often the most practical choice: many tech campuses are spread out, and offices and hotels may be some distance from the nearest station. A fixed price makes expense reporting simple, and a Sprinter Van can move a whole team from the airport to an offsite at once.
By rail
The rail route south uses BART to Millbrae, where you can change to Caltrain on a shared platform. Caltrain runs down the Peninsula to Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. It works well if your destination is near a Caltrain station and your schedule fits the timetable; check caltrain.com for service before you travel.
| Destination | Typical road route | Rail option |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Francisco | US-101 north | BART direct to Market Street stations |
| Palo Alto, Stanford, Menlo Park | US-101 or I-280 south | BART to Millbrae, then Caltrain |
| Mountain View, Sunnyvale | US-101 south | BART to Millbrae, then Caltrain |
| Santa Clara, San Jose | US-101 or I-280 south | BART to Millbrae, then Caltrain |
Choosing a vehicle
| Vehicle | Passengers | Bags | Typical Bay Area use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | Business trips downtown or to Silicon Valley |
| Minivan | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | Families, small teams |
| Sprinter Van | Up to 14 | Check when booking | Company offsites, conference groups, weddings |
Child seats are available on request; add them when you book.
SFO arrival checklist
- Check your arrival terminal and whether you will clear customs at the International Terminal.
- Book with your flight number so the driver can track delays.
- Save the driver’s name and phone number sent before landing.
- Go to the meeting point in your confirmation after baggage claim.
- Give the full address, especially for tech campuses with several buildings.
- Pick a larger vehicle if your luggage is close to the limit.
- Check whether gratuity is included in your confirmation.
Plans change, especially on business trips. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup, in local time at the pickup, and your card is authorized at booking and charged 24 hours before pickup. See our refund and cancellation policy for details.
For more Bay Area routes and destinations, visit our San Francisco airport car service hub. If your trip continues south, our guide to LAX to Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown LA covers the Los Angeles arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is SFO from downtown San Francisco?
San Francisco International Airport is about 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, in San Mateo County. By road, drivers usually take US-101 north. Travel time depends heavily on traffic, which is heaviest during weekday rush hours, so allow extra time if you have a fixed appointment after landing.
Where is the BART station at SFO?
The SFO BART station is on the departures level of the International Terminal. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, take the free AirTrain to the Garage G/BART stop. If you arrive at the International Terminal, you can walk to the station. Trains run directly to downtown stations along Market Street.
How do I get from SFO to Silicon Valley?
By road, drivers use US-101 or I-280 south to Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. By rail, take BART from SFO to Millbrae and change to Caltrain on the shared platform. A pre-booked car is often easier for spread-out tech campuses and for travelers with luggage.
Is BART or a car better from SFO to downtown?
BART avoids highway traffic and suits light travelers staying near Market Street stations. A pre-booked car is better with several bags, children, a group or a hotel away from the BART line, because it takes you door to door at a fixed price agreed before you travel.
Where do I meet my driver at SFO?
Your driver meets you at the terminal meeting point given in your booking confirmation. You also receive the driver’s name and phone number before landing, so you can call if you cannot find each other. Because airport rules can vary by terminal, always follow the confirmation rather than general signs.
What if my flight into SFO is delayed?
Include your flight number when you book. Our drivers track your flight and adjust the pickup to your actual landing time, including delays caused by weather or air traffic. If your trip is cancelled, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup, in local time at the pickup.
Land at SFO knowing your ride is arranged. Enter the airport, your destination in San Francisco or Silicon Valley and your arrival date in the search form on our home page to see the fixed price for each vehicle, then book in a few minutes.