Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located across the Bay from San Francisco, approximately 30 km from downtown. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) provides a direct rail connection via the AirBART shuttle, with the journey to downtown San Francisco taking about 45-55 minutes.

About Downtown San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco is the cultural and financial center of Northern California, built on a dramatic hilly peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The city's iconic skyline features the Transamerica Pyramid and Salesforce Tower, while its neighborhoods each have distinct personalities — from the upscale boutiques of Union Square to the historic streets of Chinatown, the oldest in North America.

The waterfront area stretching from the Ferry Building to Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most visited stretches in the city. The Ferry Building Marketplace is a gourmet food hall hosting artisan vendors and a famous farmers' market, while Fisherman's Wharf offers seafood restaurants, sourdough bread, and views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco's cultural scene is extraordinary, with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), the Asian Art Museum, and world-class performing arts venues in the Civic Center. The city's legendary cable cars still climb the steep hills between downtown and the waterfront, providing both transportation and one of the most quintessential San Francisco experiences.

Nearby Landmarks

Golden Gate Bridge Fisherman's Wharf Chinatown Union Square Ferry Building

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $55-75
Time 25-40 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $40-60
Time 25-40 minutes

Train (BART (Blue/Green/Orange Line))

Cost $11
Time 35-40 minutes
Frequency Every 10-15 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Follow signs from OAK arrivals to the BART connector (automated people mover)
2. Ride the free connector to Oakland International Airport BART station (4 min)
3. Purchase a Clipper card or BART ticket to your SF destination ($11-12)
4. Board a San Francisco-bound BART train (Richmond or Daly City direction)
5. Ride through the Transbay Tube to Embarcadero, Montgomery, or Powell St station (35-45 min)

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $55-75 25-40 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $40-60 25-40 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train $11 35-40 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

BART runs until approximately midnight on weekdays and 12:30 AM on weekends. After BART closes, taxis and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are available but the ride to downtown SF via the Bay Bridge takes 30-45 minutes and costs $50-70. No night buses connect OAK directly to San Francisco.

Luggage Tips

BART trains have open floor plans that accommodate luggage, but during rush hours finding space can be difficult. There are no luggage racks on BART. The AirBART people mover from the terminal to the BART station is flat and luggage-friendly. No luggage storage at OAK BART station.

Accessibility

The OAK AirBART people mover and all BART stations are fully ADA accessible with elevators and level boarding. BART trains have designated wheelchair spaces. Downtown San Francisco stations (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell) all have elevator access, though some elevators occasionally experience outages.