Service Overview
SFO’s main public bus service is SamTrans, with routes serving the terminals and connecting you to San Francisco, Daly City, and communities throughout San Mateo County. It’s the most affordable way to leave the airport without using rideshare or a taxi, though it’s slower than BART and can be affected by traffic.
Best for: solo travelers and budget-minded visitors, light packers, and staff commuters. Families with lots of luggage or business travelers on a tight schedule usually prefer BART (faster) or rideshare/taxi (door-to-door). Overall reliability is good, but expect longer travel times during peak commute hours.
Route & Destinations
- SamTrans Route 292: The core airport route with terminal stops, running north toward Daly City and San Francisco (and serving many Peninsula stops along the way). It’s the most useful all-day option from SFO.
- SamTrans Route EPX: A limited-stop “Express” style route (when operating) aimed at faster Peninsula connections than local service.
- SamTrans Route 397: The key late-night/early-morning lifeline when rail options are limited, connecting SFO with major transfer points.
Travel time: to San Francisco city center, plan on 60+ minutes by bus depending on traffic and where you’re going. For comparison, BART is typically about 30 minutes to downtown from the SFO BART Station.
Connections: Buses connect well to BART (e.g., via Daly City or other transfer points) for faster access to downtown. If you’re heading beyond San Francisco, you can use BART to Millbrae and transfer to Caltrain for the Peninsula/South Bay.
Pricing & Tickets
- Typical fare range: about $2.25–$5.00 for SamTrans/Muni-style local transit trips (varies by route/zone and any premium service).
- How to pay: on most Bay Area transit, the easiest method is a Clipper card (physical or mobile wallet). Some services also accept cash fare on board (exact change policies vary), but Clipper is the smoothest at the airport.
- Discounts/passes: Clipper supports fare capping and passes on participating agencies; visitors doing multiple rides in a day should compare a day pass vs. single fares depending on itinerary.
For the most accurate current fare for your specific trip, check samtrans.com before you travel.
Schedule & Frequency
- Route 292: listed as 24/7 service from SFO, making it the most dependable bus option for very early or very late flights.
- Daytime frequency: commonly every 15–30 minutes (varies by segment and time of day).
- Evenings/overnight: less frequent; use Route 397 for late-night coverage where available.
Peak hours: allow extra time on weekday mornings and late afternoons—airport exits and Highway 101 congestion can add significant delay.
Practical Tips
- Pickup locations: SamTrans buses stop at Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. Follow airport signs for ground transportation and “Public Transit/Buses.”
- Luggage: space is limited compared with shuttles; keep bags close and be ready to move them for other riders.
- Accessibility: SamTrans buses are generally low-floor or lift-equipped; use the front-door boarding area and ask the operator if you need the ramp deployed.
- Real-time tracking: use the SamTrans app/tools or common Bay Area transit trackers (and confirm stop IDs posted at the stop).
- Best alternatives: If you want the fastest public option, take BART from the International Terminal station. If you want door-to-door convenience (especially with luggage or a group), consider Uber/Lyft or a taxi.