For OAK to San Francisco, you can take BART after connecting at Coliseum, while SFO has a BART station in its International Terminal. Bay Hotel is about 28 minutes by car from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport and about 17 minutes by car from San Francisco International Airport.
- OAK: Connect from the airport connector to a San Francisco-bound BART train at Coliseum.
- SFO: Take a Yellow or Red Line train from the airport station toward downtown.
- Downtown BART trip from SFO: 30 minutes.
- Downtown stations: Powell Street and Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Where the hotel area sits
Civic Center and Powell Street are BART stops in central San Francisco. Powell Street Station is at Powell and Market Streets, near Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, the Moscone Convention Center, cable cars, and the Theatre District.
If you are planning a day around central sights, the one-day San Francisco itinerary from the Bay Hotel area includes a route through the city.
How do you get from OAK to downtown San Francisco?
From OAK, take the airport connector to Coliseum, then transfer to a BART train bound for San Francisco. The airport BART station is just across from Terminal 1 baggage claim and a short walk from Terminal 2; the trip between OAK and Coliseum takes 8 minutes.
At Coliseum, change from the airport connector to a BART train for San Francisco. Yellow and Red Line trains serve downtown San Francisco. Fares depend on your final BART stop, and airport station hours follow general BART hours.
For a road transfer, OAK rideshare pickups are on the 3rd Curb at Sections 3C2–3C9 for Lyft, Uber, and Wingz.
How do you get from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
SFO has a BART station in the International Terminal, a short walk from Terminals 1 and 3. The free SFO AirTrain connects all terminals to the BART station, so you can use it if you are arriving at another terminal.
Board a Yellow Line train toward San Francisco/Antioch or a Red Line train toward San Francisco/Richmond, then get off at a downtown station such as Powell Street or Civic Center/UN Plaza. BART says the trip from SFO to downtown San Francisco takes 30 minutes.
For a road transfer, Lyft and Uber pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage, while taxis use the center islands outside Arrivals. The Rental Car Center is accessible by the AirTrain Blue Line. Some local hotels offer complimentary shuttle service from designated zones; confirm shuttle service with your hotel.
Compare transit and road transfers
BART offers a rail connection from each airport, while rideshare and taxi pickups use designated airport locations. From OAK, rail requires a transfer at Coliseum; from SFO, the airport station connects to the downtown BART network.
BART fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Each rider aged 5 or older needs a separate card or device, and you should use the same payment method to enter and exit. All BART stations have elevators and extra-wide fare gates for large luggage and people with disabilities.
At SFO, terminal curbside is for active passenger pickup and drop-off only; vehicles may not wait at terminal curbside or on airport roadways.
Last-mile options from Powell Street or Civic Center
Powell Street Station’s location at Powell and Market Streets puts it near Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, the Moscone Convention Center, cable cars, and the Theatre District. Civic Center/UN Plaza is another downtown station served by trains from both airports.
For more on moving between central neighborhoods and transit stops, the guide to getting around from the Civic Center area covers the surrounding area.
Confirm service before departure
BART airport service from SFO runs from 4:58 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, from 5:47 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, and from 8:08 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. These first-train times refer to departures from SFO. BART advises passengers catching an early Sunday flight to make alternative airport travel plans.
For current airport and transit arrangements, check the official site before you go: use BART’s Trip Planner for departure and arrival times, and consult the airport operator for pickup and station details.
FAQs
Does OAK have a direct BART train to San Francisco?
No. From OAK, take the airport connector to Coliseum and transfer to a BART train bound for San Francisco.
How long does BART take from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
The trip takes 30 minutes. The airport station is in the International Terminal, with AirTrain connections from all terminals.
Can you pay for BART with a contactless card or phone?
Yes. Fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Each rider aged 5 or older needs a separate card or device, and must use the same payment method to enter and exit.
Where do airport rideshares pick up?
At OAK, rideshare pickups are on the 3rd Curb at Sections 3C2–3C9. At SFO, Lyft and Uber pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage.