Where is San Francisco International Airport and what is the best way to get into the city?
San Francisco International Airport is situated 12 miles south of the Downtown area of the city. Hiring a car is an easy way to get around this city and to and from the airport, and gives you the freedom to take day trips to the coast or road trips.
There are several taxi ranks at the airport, and the cost to San Francisco is between $50-$70 (don’t forget there may be an airport surcharge on taxis). Take the hassle out of your airport transfer by pre-booking a Shuttle Transfer with us, simply choose the best option for you when you make you flights or holiday reservation. The cost is around $17 and the time they take to reach your destination will depend on the number of passengers.
A no-reservation-required bus, the SAM Trans, costs just $2-$5 and runs from the airport to various destinations en route to Downtown. Or prebook the BART bus on its website, it departs from outside the International Terminal and costs from just $8.40 for a trip into the city.
Arriving into Oakland (OAK)?
Where is Oakland in relation to San Francisco?
Oakland is just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco – it is around 30 minutes by car and 40 minutes on the BART line train to Downtown San Francisco. Jump on the BART train from Oakland Airport to the Oakland Coliseum and then change to the Downtown SF train to get into the heart of the action.
For more tips and advice on travelling in and around San Francisco, check out our travel guide.
Do I need a visa to travel to San Francisco?
If you’re travelling on a British passport, there’s no need to get a visa in advance – but you do need to apply for an ESTA at least 72 hours before you travel. There is a $14 fee for registration and, once approved, your ESTA is valid for multiple journeys for two years or until your passport expires.
Find out more about visa requirements