Getting Around San Francisco
San Francisco Airport Information
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It sits about 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, making it easy to reach the city quickly—whether you’re heading to a hotel, an event venue, or a conference center. The airport is designed to give visitors a real “San Francisco” feel with local restaurants, cafes, and shops that show off the city’s unique culture.
For event planners, this airport is a great arrival point because it’s highly connected—with public transport links, rental cars, taxis, and parking all close by. Travelers can also explore some fun spots inside the airport, including a free aviation museum and art exhibits, perfect for keeping guests entertained during layovers or delays.
Quick Facts & Helpful Tips:
Location: 14 miles (about 22 km) south of downtown San Francisco.
Approx. taxi fare: Around $40–$45 USD to downtown.
Public transport: Direct connection to the BART train and SamTrans bus.
Getting around: The AirTrain runs 24/7 between all terminals, garages, BART station, and the Rental Car Center.
Facilities: 3 terminals, over 90 gates, and local food options like cafes, wine bars, and markets.
Event-friendly spaces: The airport’s Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum offers free admission and can host private group events.
Airlines: Major international carriers like United, Delta, American, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Air India operate here, along with local favorites like Alaska Airlines and Southwest.
For event planners, this airport is a great arrival point because it’s highly connected—with public transport links, rental cars, taxis, and parking all close by. Travelers can also explore some fun spots inside the airport, including a free aviation museum and art exhibits, perfect for keeping guests entertained during layovers or delays.
Quick Facts & Helpful Tips:
Location: 14 miles (about 22 km) south of downtown San Francisco.
Approx. taxi fare: Around $40–$45 USD to downtown.
Public transport: Direct connection to the BART train and SamTrans bus.
Getting around: The AirTrain runs 24/7 between all terminals, garages, BART station, and the Rental Car Center.
Facilities: 3 terminals, over 90 gates, and local food options like cafes, wine bars, and markets.
Event-friendly spaces: The airport’s Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum offers free admission and can host private group events.
Airlines: Major international carriers like United, Delta, American, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Air India operate here, along with local favorites like Alaska Airlines and Southwest.
San Francisco Train Information
You might be surprised to learn that San Francisco itself doesn’t have an Amtrak station inside the city. But that’s no problem—the nearby cities of Oakland and Emeryville (each about 8 miles away) make train travel easy. Shuttle connections, taxis, or rideshares can take you there from downtown or the airport.
Both Oakland and Emeryville Amtrak stations connect San Francisco to popular California cities and even cross-country routes, making them great for travelers or event guests arriving from other states.
Key Train Details:
Oakland Amtrak Station: Serves the Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and San Joaquin lines.
The Capitol Corridor runs between San Jose and Auburn with stops near San Francisco.
The Coast Starlight travels daily from Seattle to Los Angeles—a scenic choice for long-distance travelers.
The San Joaquin connects Sacramento to Bakersfield through California’s Central Valley.
Emeryville Amtrak Station: Includes the same three routes plus the California Zephyr, which goes all the way to Chicago, a perfect option for cross-country business travel.
Getting there: Use local buses, rideshares, or shuttle services from San Francisco to reach either station in about 20–30 minutes.
Both Oakland and Emeryville Amtrak stations connect San Francisco to popular California cities and even cross-country routes, making them great for travelers or event guests arriving from other states.
Key Train Details:
Oakland Amtrak Station: Serves the Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and San Joaquin lines.
The Capitol Corridor runs between San Jose and Auburn with stops near San Francisco.
The Coast Starlight travels daily from Seattle to Los Angeles—a scenic choice for long-distance travelers.
The San Joaquin connects Sacramento to Bakersfield through California’s Central Valley.
Emeryville Amtrak Station: Includes the same three routes plus the California Zephyr, which goes all the way to Chicago, a perfect option for cross-country business travel.
Getting there: Use local buses, rideshares, or shuttle services from San Francisco to reach either station in about 20–30 minutes.
San Francisco Public Transportation Information
San Francisco’s public transit system makes it simple to get around without a car. Options include the BART rapid train, the San Francisco Muni system, Golden Gate Transit, and SamTrans buses. Together, they cover almost every corner of the city and nearby counties—ideal for conference guests, event organizers, or sightseeing visitors.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
BART connects San Francisco International Airport directly to downtown and nearby cities. It’s one of the fastest ways to reach your hotel or event venue.
Service hours: Weekdays 4 AM–midnight, Sat 6 AM–midnight, Sun 8 AM–midnight.
Frequency: About every 15 minutes.
Fare example: Around $5.15 USD from the airport to downtown.
Tip: Great for group transfers from the airport to the city center.
San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni)
The Muni system is the heart of local transportation, running buses, streetcars, cable cars, and light rail throughout the city. It’s perfect for nearby event travel or sightseeing.
Coverage: Over 80 routes, plus historic cable cars and F-line streetcars.
Popular routes:
The F-line connects the Castro District to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street cable cars reach key tourist areas.
Fares: About $2 USD for buses/streetcars; $8 USD for cable cars (one way).
Children under 5 ride free.
Golden Gate Transit
This service connects San Francisco with Marin and Sonoma counties via buses and ferries—great for event guests staying outside the city.
Ferry routes: San Francisco ↔ Larkspur and Sausalito.
Bus routes: Cover six zones across the Bay Area.
Fares: Approx. $4.90–$7.85 for ferries and $1.70–$9.25 for buses.
SamTrans (San Mateo County Transit)
SamTrans connects San Francisco with smaller cities south of the city, including Palo Alto and the Peninsula region.
Coverage: 54 routes across 446 square miles.
Fares: Around $1.75 for adults, $1 for youth.
Direct connections: Available to SFO Airport and the Moscone Center—handy for trade shows or conventions.
Rental Cars & Taxis
If your group prefers private transport:
Rental cars: Major brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National operate from SFO’s Rental Car Center (accessible via the AirTrain Blue Line).
Taxis: Easily available at each terminal’s arrivals zone. Expect about $40–$45 to downtown, plus a small airport fee.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
BART connects San Francisco International Airport directly to downtown and nearby cities. It’s one of the fastest ways to reach your hotel or event venue.
Service hours: Weekdays 4 AM–midnight, Sat 6 AM–midnight, Sun 8 AM–midnight.
Frequency: About every 15 minutes.
Fare example: Around $5.15 USD from the airport to downtown.
Tip: Great for group transfers from the airport to the city center.
San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni)
The Muni system is the heart of local transportation, running buses, streetcars, cable cars, and light rail throughout the city. It’s perfect for nearby event travel or sightseeing.
Coverage: Over 80 routes, plus historic cable cars and F-line streetcars.
Popular routes:
The F-line connects the Castro District to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street cable cars reach key tourist areas.
Fares: About $2 USD for buses/streetcars; $8 USD for cable cars (one way).
Children under 5 ride free.
Golden Gate Transit
This service connects San Francisco with Marin and Sonoma counties via buses and ferries—great for event guests staying outside the city.
Ferry routes: San Francisco ↔ Larkspur and Sausalito.
Bus routes: Cover six zones across the Bay Area.
Fares: Approx. $4.90–$7.85 for ferries and $1.70–$9.25 for buses.
SamTrans (San Mateo County Transit)
SamTrans connects San Francisco with smaller cities south of the city, including Palo Alto and the Peninsula region.
Coverage: 54 routes across 446 square miles.
Fares: Around $1.75 for adults, $1 for youth.
Direct connections: Available to SFO Airport and the Moscone Center—handy for trade shows or conventions.
Rental Cars & Taxis
If your group prefers private transport:
Rental cars: Major brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National operate from SFO’s Rental Car Center (accessible via the AirTrain Blue Line).
Taxis: Easily available at each terminal’s arrivals zone. Expect about $40–$45 to downtown, plus a small airport fee.
