San Francisco BART from SFO Guide
SFO Airport to Downtown SF — Updated 2026
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the fastest way from SFO airport to downtown San Francisco — 30 minutes for $11.05. From any terminal, take the free AirTrain monorail to the BART station at the International Terminal, then a Yellow Line train through Daly City to Embarcadero. The line passes Civic Center, Powell (Union Square), and Montgomery (Financial District). BART also connects SFO → Oakland Airport via Coliseum AirBART ($14.40) and to Silicon Valley via Millbrae + Caltrain.
BART Yellow Line — Key Stops
| Station | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SFO Airport | 0 min | Single integrated station, accessed via AirTrain |
| San Bruno | ~5 min | BART east-bay branch divides here |
| Daly City | ~12 min | SF border — bus + Muni connection |
| Balboa Park | ~16 min | Muni Metro J + K + M + N lines |
| Glen Park | ~19 min | Bernal Heights / Noe Valley access |
| 24th Street Mission | ~22 min | Mission District |
| 16th Street Mission | ~24 min | Mission + Castro |
| Civic Center | ~26 min | City Hall, Tenderloin, SoMa |
| Powell Street | ~28 min | Union Square, Westfield mall, cable car |
| Montgomery Street | ~29 min | Financial District, Salesforce Tower |
| Embarcadero | 30 min | Ferry Building, waterfront, hotels |
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BART vs Taxi vs Rideshare
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BART | $11.05 | 30 min | Fastest — direct, reliable, $5 cheaper than rideshare |
| SamTrans bus 292/398 | $2.50 | 60–90 min | Cheapest — local bus, no luggage racks |
| Caltrain (via Millbrae) | $8.75 | 45 min | Useful for Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, San Jose) |
| Taxi (metered) | $60–80 | 25–45 min | Door to door, with traffic |
| Uber / Lyft (UberX) | $45–65 | 25–45 min | App — surges during peak hours |
| Lyft Shared | $30–45 | 40–60 min | Cheaper rideshare — multiple stops |
FAQ
How do I get from my SFO terminal to BART?+
BART has its own station at SFO, but you need to take the free AirTrain monorail to reach it. From any terminal: follow "AirTrain" signs (red line color). The AirTrain runs every 4 minutes 24/7. From International Terminal: AirTrain is connected directly — 2 min ride. From Terminal 1, 2, or 3: AirTrain red line to International Terminal, then walk to BART station. Total transit time terminal → BART platform is 8–15 minutes including walking.
How does BART fare work for SFO?+
BART charges per zone and distance. SFO → downtown SF (Embarcadero) is $11.05 one-way. SFO → Oakland Airport (via BART then Coliseum AirBART) is $14.40. SFO → Berkeley is $13.95. Buy a Clipper card at the airport BART station — $3 fee, reloadable, works on BART + Muni + Caltrain + ferries. Or use contactless Visa/Mastercard at the gate. Avoid the paper magnetic ticket — same fare but easy to lose.
Which BART line do I take from SFO?+
From SFO, take a Yellow Line train (also called Antioch–SFO/Millbrae). Trains alternate destinations — some go all the way to Antioch via downtown SF + Oakland, others terminate at SFO+Millbrae shuttle. Check the destination board: any train marked "Antioch" or "Pittsburg/Bay Point" or "Richmond" via downtown SF works for tourists. Trains run every 15–20 minutes 06:00–21:00, every 20–25 min outside those hours.
How do I get from SFO to Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, San Jose)?+
Take BART south one stop to Millbrae ($4.45), then transfer to Caltrain southbound. Caltrain to Palo Alto is $5.75 + 30 min. Caltrain to San Jose Diridon is $8.75 + 60 min. Total SFO → San Jose: ~$13.20 and 90 min. For Palo Alto or Stanford, allow ~70 min total. The Caltrain platform at Millbrae is across the street from BART — no transfer in the same building.
Is BART safe at night?+
Generally yes for tourist routes (SFO → downtown SF). BART runs 04:54 to midnight on weekdays, slightly shorter on weekends. Late-night BART can have visible homelessness, especially at Civic Center and Powell stations — most travellers feel fine but some prefer rideshare after 22:00. Stations are staffed, well-lit, and have security cameras. If you arrive after midnight, take a taxi or rideshare ($45–65). Avoid getting off at Civic Center or 16th Street Mission solo at night; Embarcadero and Montgomery are safer.
Can I take BART to Oakland Airport (OAK)?+
Yes — take BART from SFO (Yellow Line, ~30 min) to Coliseum/Oakland Airport station. From Coliseum, transfer to AirBART (the connector to OAK terminal) — included in the BART fare since 2014 ($14.40 total SFO → OAK). Total time: 75–90 min. For tight connections between SFO and OAK, allow 2 hours. There is also a direct shared shuttle service (SuperShuttle, Bay Porter) — $35–55, 60–90 min, less reliable.
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