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Can you catch the BART from San Francisco airport?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) BART trains connect SFO with downtown San Francisco, downtown Oakland and many other Bay Area destinations. BART is the best way to avoid sitting in Bay Area traffic. Trains depart from the SFO International Terminal, and it's just 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco.



Yes, you can easily catch the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) directly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The BART station is conveniently located in the International Terminal, specifically on the Level 3 departures/ticketing level (near Boarding Area G). If you arrive at one of the domestic terminals (1, 2, or 3), you can reach the International Terminal by taking the free, 24-hour AirTrain "Blue Line," which connects all terminals directly to the BART station. Trains depart frequently, typically every 15 to 20 minutes, and the ride to downtown San Francisco (stations like Powell St. or Embarcadero) takes approximately 30 minutes. As of 2026, a one-way fare to downtown is roughly $10.00. You must use a Clipper card to pay for your fare, which can be purchased as a physical card at station kiosks or, more conveniently, added to your smartphone's digital wallet (Apple Pay or Google Pay) for a contactless "tap-and-go" experience. It remains the fastest and most cost-effective way to avoid San Francisco's notorious highway traffic.

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Soon, people using transit in the Bay Area will be able to pay using a credit card. Starting next year, Bay Area transit riders won't need a Clipper card to ride a train or ferry, and instead will be able to pass BART turnstiles or board Muni buses with the simple tap of a credit card.

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Mask requirement ended 10/2/22; Masks now strongly recommended. As of October 2, 2022, masks are strongly recommended. Wearing a well fitted masks over your mouth and nose is encouraged. Masks are no longer mandatory.

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The average price for this trip is $40. Open the Uber app and input San Francisco CA in the “Where to?” box. The price estimate for each ride option will appear; scroll to see what's available. Prices will vary based on time of day and how many riders are making requests.

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BART makes it extremely easy to get a ticket from the San Francisco airport to downtown San Francisco. All you need to do is use one of the ticket vending machines to buy a one-way ticket for each passenger, which costs about $10.15 per person for a one-way ticket and $20.30 for a round trip.

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Can two people use the same card at the same time? No, every rider needs their own card or device (phone or watch) to pay for fares.

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Using Clipper® on your mobile device is fast and easy – and you avoid the $3 fee for new plastic Clipper cards.

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