How much is a taxi from SFO to downtown San Francisco?

Taxi fares: about $50–$70. The ride takes 20–40 min depending on traffic.

Which airlines fly from SFO?

Airlines at SFO include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Aeroméxico, Volaris, Copa Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air France, KLM, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, China Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Air India. It's not a complete list: smaller and seasonal airlines come and go, so check the airport's flight board for your route.

Can I leave SFO on a layover?

Yes, if you have at least 3 h: that covers getting out of the airport, the round trip to downtown San Francisco, an hour there and getting back through security.

Are there lounges at SFO?

United Clubs and Polaris Lounge (International Terminal G); Amex Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3); Alaska Lounge (Terminal 2).

Is there a hotel at SFO?

Grand Hyatt at SFO, on the AirTrain line.

How long do I need to connect at SFO?

We recommend at least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal, and more for a terminal change or after an international arrival. Our SFO connection guide breaks it down step by step.

Where is the cheapest parking at SFO?

Long-term parking, linked by AirTrain, the cheapest. Rates change with demand, so check and book ahead on the airport's site.

Where do international flights arrive at SFO?

Arriving from abroad, you clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), collect your checked bags, drop them at the recheck belt and go through TSA security again before your connection. International flights arrive at the International Terminal.

How do I find cheap flights from San Francisco?

Add SFO as a home airport on Good Flight Deals and we'll email you when fares from San Francisco drop well below normal. You book directly with the airline.

San Francisco · airport guide

SFO Airport guide

Q: Do I have to go through security again if I change terminals at SFO?

No. Since 2024 all terminals are connected inside security in a ring. There's no direct link between International A and G gates: you walk through the domestic terminals, about 20–25 minutes.

San Francisco International Airport has Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the International Terminal (A and G gates). The quickest way from SFO to downtown San Francisco is the BART (about 30 minutes, about $11).

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Transit to downtown San Francisco

30 min

BART, about $11

Taxi

20–40 min

about $50–$70

Connecting here

50 min

Domestic to domestic, same terminal

Leave on a layover

3 h+

Layover you need to visit the city

Quick answer

The quickest way from SFO to downtown San Francisco is the BART (about 30 minutes, about $11). Connecting here, allow at least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal. Airlines here include United, Alaska, American, Delta and Southwest.

Terminals: Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the International Terminal (A and G gates)
Taxi: 20–40 min, about $50–$70
Connecting: At least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal
Lounges: United Clubs and Polaris Lounge (International Terminal G); Amex Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3) and more
Hotel: Grand Hyatt at SFO, on the AirTrain line

Getting from SFO to downtown San Francisco

Fares are one way and approximate; check the operator before you travel.

BARTto Powell Street, downtownabout 30 minabout $11
Taxi or rideshare20–40 minabout $50–$70

Inside SFO

Terminals and connections

Since 2024 all terminals are connected inside security in a ring. There's no direct link between International A and G gates: you walk through the domestic terminals, about 20–25 minutes.

How long a layover you need at SFO

Lounges

•United Clubs and Polaris Lounge (International Terminal G)
•Amex Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3)
•Alaska Lounge (Terminal 2)

Sleep, showers and hotels

•Grand Hyatt at SFO, on the AirTrain line

Parking at SFO

•Long-term parking, linked by AirTrain, the cheapest
•Domestic and International garages

Rates change with demand and booking ahead is usually cheaper: check SFO's official site.

SFO tips

•United is mainly in Terminal 3 and International G.

Can you leave SFO on a layover?

With at least 3 h between flights, yes. Here's where the time goes.

Off the plane and out of the airport20 min
To downtown San Francisco and back, the fastest way40 min
Time in town worth the trip1 h
Back through security to your gate1 h
Layover you need3 h

Keep your bags checked through and carry your boarding pass for the next flight. On a long layover, a hotel day room or lounge can be a better use of the time than a rushed trip into town.

Airlines at SFO

Major airlines that fly from SFO (not a complete list). Check the bag rules before you pack.

United Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Alaska Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
American Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Delta Air Lines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Southwest Airlines Carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in Bag fees
JetBlue Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Hawaiian Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Frontier Airlines Carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in Bag fees
Sun Country Airlines Carry-on 24 × 16 × 11 in Bag fees
Air Canada Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
WestJet Carry-on 53 × 38 × 23 cm Bag fees
Aeroméxico Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Volaris Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Copa Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 10 in Bag fees
Avianca Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
British Airways Carry-on 56 × 45 × 25 cm Bag fees
Virgin Atlantic Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Lufthansa Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
SWISS Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Air France Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
KLM Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
Iberia Carry-on 56 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Aer Lingus Carry-on 55 × 40 × 24 cm Bag fees
Icelandair Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm Bag fees
Turkish Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Emirates Carry-on 55 × 38 × 20 cm Bag fees
Qatar Airways Carry-on 50 × 37 × 25 cm Bag fees
Singapore Airlines Carry-on 115 cm total Bag fees
Cathay Pacific Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Japan Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Korean Air Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm Bag fees
Qantas Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Air New Zealand Carry-on 118 cm total Bag fees
EVA Air Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
China Airlines Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Philippine Airlines Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Air India Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm

SFO airport FAQ

The quickest option is the BART to Powell Street, downtown: about 30 minutes for about $11. A taxi takes 20–40 min (about $50–$70).

Cheap flights from San Francisco (SFO)The latest fare drops we've found from SFO.

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fares, lounges, airlines and parking change; check with the operator or airport before you travel.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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