|
Airports
San Francisco International Airport
SFO connects non-stop with more than 60 cities in the U.S. on 21 domestic airlines offering many choices with competitive fares from its easily accessed and efficient terminals. SFO also offers non-stop flights to over 30 international destinations on 25 international carriers, making SFO the Bay Area's Airport of Choice.
Oakland International Airport, East Bay (East of SF)
This is the San Francisco Bay Area gateway. More than 200 daily none stop affordable fares on 17 major airlines and conveniently located.
City Bus System
It is a comfortable means of transportation and goes everywhere, but it's crowded at rush hour and when school gets out. Use it to get to the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and the beaches.
|
San Francisco International Airport
|
|
Public Transportation
Bay Area Rapid Transit
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is a fast, convenient way to get to San Francisco from SFO or OAK. BART fares are only $5.15 from SFO and $6.35 from OAK (including AirBART and it only takes a half hour to get downtown.) BART also goes from SFO/OAK to other Bay Area cities with fares from $2.15 - $7.40
AC Transit
AC Transit offers bus services to communities in the East Bay - Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and other cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties - via the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
Caltrain, San Jose/Silicon Valley (South of SF): Terminal at Fourth and King Streets. Operating trains daily and holidays from San Francisco to San Jose. Weekday shuttle bus from the terminal to the Financial District during peak commute periods; connects with Muni Metro (light rail) at Fourth and King streets. One block from AT&T Park.
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority County Connection, Orinda to Clayton, Martinez to San Ramon, including seven BART stations. Operates Monday-Saturday with limited service on Sunday.
Golden Gate Transit
This bus service links San Francisco to Marin and Sonoma counties via the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses depart every 30- to 60-minutes from the Financial District of San Francisco.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
Civic Center: The SFMTA includes all modes of ground transportation in, San Francisco including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit (Muni), parking and traffic (DPT) and streetscapes.
|
Ferry
Blue and Gold Ferry, Red and White Ferry and Golden Gate Ferries take you across the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel Island.
Angel Island - Tiburon Ferry, Marin County/Sausalito (North of SF) This ferry offers daily services between Tiburon and Angel Island, as well as private charters and tours. Daily year-round service. Fares $8-14 per person. Blue & Gold Fleet Fisherman's Wharf Daily narrated San Francisco Bay Cruise Adventures: $21 adults, $17 seniors (age 62+), juniors (ages 12-18) and $13 (ages 5-11), under age 5 free. Daily round-trip ferry service to Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon, Oakland's Jack London Square, Alameda's Main Street terminal and Vallejo. Motor coach tours of San Francisco, Muir Woods, Napa/ Sonoma wine country, Monterey/Carmel and Yosemite. Golden Gate Ferry, Ferries depart from behind the south end of the Ferry Building to Sausalito and Larkspur in Marin County. Services include half-hour crossings to Sausalito and 30- or 45-minute crossings to Larkspur.
Railroad
Amtrak East Bay (East of SF):
If you are coming to San Francisco for the day or for an extended stay, Amtrak Capitol Corridor service provides up to 32 trains daily from Sacramento and San Jose, while the San Joaquin route offers frequent departures to San Joaquin Valley. Thruway Service meets all trains at Emeryville and direct service to five San Francisco locations including Moscone Center and Pier 39.
|
|
Driving
You should avoid driving unless you really need to, also renting a car, because parking is expensive, adding approximately $10 or more per day for parking lots.
The best way to get around is a combination of several options. If you plan to use public transportation often (buses, cable cars, trolley), save money and buy a Muni "Passport." They're available for 1, 3 and 7 days. The double-decker Bus Tours stop at many of the most popular sights, and Grayline's Motorized Cable Car Tours are fun. To save time and ensure that you won't find them sold out, order your tickets from Viator.com. They guarantee a price as low as you'd get on the spot, and you get a print-at-home voucher right away.
|
Taxi
Taxis are reasonably priced, especially if several people are traveling, getting one can be a problem at peak times.
San Francisco Taxicab Rates of Fare
Section 1135 San Francisco Municipal Police Code
|
First 1/5th mile or flag
|
$3.10 |
| Each additional 1/5th mile or fraction thereof |
$0.45 |
| Each minute of waiting or traffic time delay |
$0.45 |
| Airport Surcharge |
$2.00 |
|
|
San Francisco Trolley
|
Historic "F" Line Trolley
It runs along Market Street and The Embarcadero from the Castro district to Fisherman's Wharf. It's a good way to get to the Ferry Building and Union Square.
Walking
Walking is probably the best way to really get to know the city, it’s inexpensive and also good exercise. Despite of the reputation San Francisco has for its hills, the waterfront is flat and most of Chinatown and North Beach is an easy walk, too.
Cable Cars
Cable cars go to most of the popular destinations, especially Union Square, Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, but the wait is frequently long. The California Line takes you to the Ferry Building, Chinatown and Nob Hill.
|
