BART is the fast, easy, inexpensive way to get to San Francisco and around the Bay Area. Trains arrive at the SFO International Terminal every 15 minutes and it's just 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco. A one-way ticket from SFO to downtown is $8.10; find fares from the airport to any station by using the QuickPlanner .
The BART station at SFO is located in the International Terminal. It's a short walk from United Airlines in Terminal 3 and a slightly longer walk from Terminal 1. You can also take the free AirTrain from both terminals directly to the BART station. Just follow the signs to AirTrain and board the Red Line train. When you arrive, take the escalator down to the departures level and walk straight ahead to the BART station. Terminals 1, 2 & 3 are approximately a one to three-minute AirTrain ride to the BART station.
International passengers should turn right when leaving customs, walk to the escalator and go up to the departures level. Walk straight ahead and turn left at the art exhibit and you’ll see the station entrance.
Board the Pittsburg/Bay Point train to the City Center/12th Street Station and you'll be right in downtown a few blocks from Oakland Chinatown and Jack London Square. To return to SFO, take an SFO-bound train.
Board the Pittsburg/Bay Point train to one of four downtown San Francisco stations that are an easy walk or short cab ride to most San Francisco hotels. BART shares these stations with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI) which can also take you throughout the City.
Getting back to San Francisco International Airport
Take any SFO-bound train from any downtown BART station. If you are going to SFO from another city it may be necessary to transfer to the SFO bound train, which originates on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line. Check the BART System Map for transfer points.
Upon arriving at SFO, take the AirTrain Red Line from BART to Terminal 1, 2 or 3 for domestic flights. You can also walk to Terminal 1 or 3 in 5 to 10 minutes. International terminal passengers should exit the train and walk to the front of the station. The international flight check-in counters are a very short walk from the BART station main entrance.
Children 4 and under ride free. Everyone else must have a BART ticket. BART tickets are like debit cards with stored value. Your best bet is to buy a BART SFO Ticket Voucher in advance . If not, you'll need to use the ticket machines.
All BART stations have automatic ticket vending machines that accept nickels, dimes, quarters and $1 coins, as well as $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. You can also use a credit card in select machines. BART's fare structure is built on a mileage-based formula therefore weekly or monthly passes are not available.
When you enter BART, insert your ticket into the fare gate and it will be returned to you. Use the same ticket when you exit. The correct fare will be automatically deducted and tickets with remaining value will be returned. If your ticket has too little value, a sign on the fare gate will read "Underpaid: Go to Addfare." A nearby Addfare vending machine will tell you how much additional fare you must add to your ticket to exit the BART system.
BART has one of the highest on-time performance records in the nation, but to be prudent you should give yourself a little extra time in case you miss a transfer or an unanticipated delay occurs. Visit the BART QuickPlanner to look up BART times and use the convenient printable schedule version to take a copy with you.
Please make alternative airport travel plans if this schedule conflicts with early morning weekend flights.
Please keep the aisles clear by storing your luggage under your seat or holding it on your lap. Some cars have space cleared by the doors to accommodate wheelchairs, bikes or strollers. If the space is not being used by a person with a disability, you may store your luggage there, but please keep it within your control at all times.
All BART stations are accessible to persons with disabilities. Elevators and fare gates designated for persons with disabilities may also be used by airline passengers with luggage.
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