USA 🇺🇸 · 21km to Downtown SF
San Francisco International (SFO) — Taxi vs Uber vs Public Transit
BART from SFO to Downtown SF is $11.05 and 30 minutes with no transfers — dead cheaper and often faster than Uber on 101 traffic. It's the correct pick for anyone staying in Downtown, SoMa, Financial District, or Mission (transfer to Muni at Powell).
Prices verified 2026-08-27 — check operator sites before travel.
All options — sorted cheapest first
| Service | Price (USD) | Local price | Time | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SamTrans Bus | $2.30 | — | 60-75 min to Temporary Transbay Terminal | SamTrans Bus 292 from ground transportation |
| BART Direct to Powell St / Embarcadero | $11.05 | — | 30-40 min to Downtown SF | BART station in International Terminal — 5-min walk from domestic |
| Uber X | $35-55 | — | 25-60 min | Domestic Terminals: Level 5 SFO Ride App Level. International: Level 5 |
| Lyft | $35-55 | — | 25-60 min | Same as Uber |
| Yellow Taxi (metered) | $60-75 | — | 25-60 min | Taxi rank outside Level 1 arrivals |
Which one to pick — the real answer
BART from SFO to Downtown SF is $11.05 and 30 minutes with no transfers — dead cheaper and often faster than Uber on 101 traffic. It's the correct pick for anyone staying in Downtown, SoMa, Financial District, or Mission (transfer to Muni at Powell).
Uber vs Yellow Taxi: Uber is meaningfully cheaper at SFO ($35-55 vs $60-75). Both leave from Level 5 (upper) departure roadway — you need to know this walking off the plane to save 10 minutes.
Ways to lose money: taking Uber Comfort or Uber XL for a solo trip (30% markup), not knowing the toll ($8) added by app to the trip if via SF-Oakland Bay Bridge (not a factor for city-only trips).
Insider tip
For Berkeley/Oakland/Bay Area destinations, BART is easily the best option — SFO to Berkeley BART $8.35 / 60 min vs $85+ Uber. Fly to OAK next time for those trips — 20% cheaper Uber to Downtown SF via the Bay Bridge on cheap days.
Prefer a pre-booked private transfer instead?
Skip the taxi rank, no surge pricing, driver waits at arrivals with your name.
Getting out of San Francisco International
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.San Francisco International taxi vs Uber — FAQ
How much is a taxi from San Francisco International to Downtown SF?
Yellow Taxi (metered) costs $60-75 — journey time 25-60 min.
Is Uber cheaper than taxi at San Francisco International?
Taxi $60-75, Uber $35-55. BART from SFO to Downtown SF is $11.
What is the cheapest way from San Francisco International to San Francisco?
SamTrans Bus at $2.30.
Are there taxi scams at San Francisco International?
No prominent scam patterns reported at San Francisco International. Always use official ranks or app-booked rides.
How long does it take to get from San Francisco International to Downtown SF?
21km. Journey times: Yellow Taxi (metered) 25-60 min, Uber X 25-60 min, Lyft 25-60 min.