Ride BART to SFO
BART offers train service to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). To ride BART to SFO, you'll need a ticket, but the journey is short and sweet.
Contents
Steps
To SFO
- Determine whether BART is feasible for you. If you are a single rider with a reasonable amount of luggage, BART is not going to be a problem. If you are a large family or have lots of luggage, though, it may be better to get a shuttle or an Uber or a Lyft or drive to SFO. It can be hard to haul lots of baggage on the train.
- Purchase a BART ticket. You need a BART ticket or Clipper Card to access BART's public transit. If you have a BART ticket or Clipper Card, make sure that it has enough money as used on BART's fare calculator, and reload if necessary.
- Enter through BART's turnstiles. Insert your ticket or scan your Clipper card, then wait for the ticket to come out or the turnstiles to open. If you are a person with a stroller or wheelchair, let the attendant know, and they will take you to the elevator.
- If you need to take the elevator, you may have to use the phone to contact the attendant.
- Be sure to also pay the attendant for parking as you enter to avoid a parking citation. On the weekends, parking is free.
- Never take your strollers on the escalators. Not only is it unsafe, it creates an inconvenience for other BART passengers.
- Proceed up to the appropriate platform. If you see a sign that says "Millbrae ✈SFO", then you are on the correct platform. If you do not see any signs on either platform, then proceed to MacArthur station and follow the signs for "Millbrae✈SFO".
- Also make sure that your train is bound for Millbrae. Only the yellow line serves SFO, so if you are not on the Antioch-Millbrae line, then proceed to MacArthur station and continue your journey there.
- Board the train headed for Millbrae/SFO. Look at the station map, and count the number of stops until you reach SFO.
- Pay attention to all announcements and information screens inside of the train. They will tell you when you will reach SFO.
- Guard your luggage. To avoid theft of your belongings, keep your luggage with you at all times. Do not let anyone smuggle or steal your belongings. Exercise street smarts.
- Get off at SFO BART station. You are almost there. You just need to make it to the terminal of your departures. Go through the exit turnstiles, and do either of the following:
- Proceed up the escalators or elevators to exit at the AirTrain, or
- Proceed through the revolving door to exit at the International terminal.
- Check in. You have made it to your terminal. All that there is left to do is passport control (if flying internationally), clearing security, and waiting for your adventure to start at your gate.
From SFO
- Determine whether BART is feasible for you. If you are a single rider with a reasonable amount of luggage, BART is not going to be a problem. If you are a large family or have lots of luggage, though, it may be better to get a shuttle or an Uber or a Lyft or take a rental car from SFO.
- The pickup/drop-off area is located outside of the main entrance on either the departures or arrivals level.
- The rental car center is accessible via AirTrain.
- The BART station is located outside of International Terminal G, and is accessible via the parking garage.
- Purchase a BART ticket. You need a BART ticket or Clipper Card to access BART's public transit. If you have a BART ticket or Clipper Card, make sure that it has enough money as used on BART's fare calculator, and reload if necessary.
- Enter through BART's turnstiles. Insert your ticket or scan your Clipper Card, then wait for the ticket to come out or the turnstiles to open. If you are a person with a stroller or wheelchair, let the attendant know, and they will take you to the elevator.
- If you take the elevator, you may have to use the phone to contact the attendant.
- Never take your strollers on the escalators. Not only is it unsafe, it creates an inconvenience for other BART passengers.
- Proceed up to the appropriate platform. This depends on where your destination is; if you are going to San Jose, ride to Millbrae station and transfer to Caltrain to get to your desired destination.
- Board the train headed for your appropriate destination. Look at the station map, and count the number of stops until you reach your destination.
- Pay attention to all announcements and information screens inside of the train. They will tell you when you will reach your destination.
- Guard your luggage. To avoid theft of your belongings, keep your luggage with you at all times. Do not let anyone smuggle or steal your belongings. Exercise street smarts.
- Get off at your station. Now you can travel to your hotel or your home.
- If your hotel is somewhere in San Francisco, but not near any of the BART stations, then take Muni to the desired part of the city.
Tips
- A station map can be found here.
Warnings
- Be careful when riding BART. Like any public transport system, it has its limitations, and you need to exercise caution when riding during specific times of day.
