San Francisco Airport (SFO) to the city
BART reaches the International Terminal and takes 30 minutes to downtown, but it charges a large premium for entering at the airport. The SamTrans bus at the same kerb charges $2.25 to go the whole way.
- BART from SFO to downtown San Francisco is $11.80, checked on 22 August 2026.
- The premium is in the airport entry, not the distance. SFO to San Bruno, one stop, is $10.10. San Bruno to downtown, ten stops, is $5.70.
- SamTrans route 292 runs San Francisco to SFO to Hillsdale Mall for $2.25 cash, $2.05 with Clipper. It is far slower and a fifth of the price.
- Route 130 runs to Daly City BART, from where downtown is $4.30, so bus plus train is about $6.55 all in.
- The BART station is inside the International Terminal, a walk from Terminals 1 and 3.
- The SFO AirTrain to the BART station is free and runs from every terminal.
- Tap a contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay at the gates. No card to buy, but use the same card in and out.
- Millbrae is $5.85 from SFO and is where you change for Caltrain down the peninsula.
The fare, and why it looks wrong
- BART charges $11.80 from SFO to Powell Street, Embarcadero, Montgomery or Civic Center, all of which are central San Francisco, on a ride of about 30 minutes.
- Compare that with the neighbouring station. SFO to San Bruno, a single stop, is $10.10. San Bruno all the way into Powell Street is $5.70. The airport entry, not the mileage, is what you are paying for.
- Downtown Berkeley is $12.60, Millbrae $5.85.
- These were checked on 22 August 2026 with BART's own fare calculator; BART's fares are distance-based and are revised periodically.
- Senior, disabled and youth fares are much lower: the same downtown trip is $4.40 with a Senior/Disabled Clipper card and $5.90 on a Youth Clipper or Clipper START card.
Paying
- The fare gates take contactless bank cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay directly, with nothing to set up.
- Every rider aged 5 and over needs their own card or device. A family sharing one credit card number can still tap, as long as each person uses a different physical card or phone.
- Use the same payment method to enter and to exit, or the gate cannot work out what you owe.
The bus, if the fare offends you
- SamTrans route 292 runs San Francisco to SFO to Hillsdale Mall. Adult fare $2.25 in cash, $2.05 with Clipper, and a day pass is $4.50.
- That is one bus, no transfer, into the city, for less than a fifth of the BART fare. It is also much slower, and it is a local bus with local stops, so it suits a light bag and a flexible afternoon rather than a tight connection.
- Route 130 goes to Daly City BART instead, from where Powell Street is $4.30. Bus plus train comes to about $6.55 and is quicker than the 292 into town.
- Route 141 runs to Skyline College by way of Airport/Linden.
Getting to the station at all
- BART's platform is in the International Terminal. From Terminals 1 and 3 it is a walk.
- From anywhere else take the SFO AirTrain, which is free, runs from all terminals, and is signposted upstairs.
- For Caltrain and the peninsula, ride BART two stops to Millbrae and change there.
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