Flights to San Francisco - SFO, OAK, and SJC Airports
San Francisco is served by three airports, each with different strengths. Comparing all three can save you money and open up routing options you might not find on a single-airport search. Here's what you need to know about each one.
San Francisco International (SFO)
SFO is the primary airport and the most convenient for reaching downtown San Francisco. It's located about 13 miles south of the city center and is directly connected to downtown via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). The BART ride to downtown takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately $10.
SFO handles the most international flights of the three airports and is a major hub for United Airlines. The airport offers extensive facilities including free Wi-Fi throughout, a yoga room, museum galleries, a medical clinic, and numerous dining options.
Oakland International (OAK)
Oakland is often the budget-friendly alternative. Southwest Airlines and budget carriers operate heavily out of OAK, and fares can run $50–$150 less than comparable SFO flights on popular routes.
Getting to San Francisco from OAK is straightforward: the Oakland Airport Connector (an automated people mover) takes you directly from the airport to the Coliseum BART station in about 8 minutes, and from there BART runs straight into downtown San Francisco. Total travel time is about 40–50 minutes; total cost is approximately $11.
San Jose International (SJC)
SJC is the southernmost option, located in the heart of Silicon Valley about 50 miles from San Francisco. It's ideal if your destination is the South Bay, but getting to San Francisco proper takes longer. A free airport shuttle connects to the Caltrain station, which runs commuter trains to San Francisco for about $10. The Caltrain ride takes roughly 70–90 minutes.
SJC tends to have competitive fares on domestic routes, particularly on Southwest, Alaska, and JetBlue.
Which Airport Should You Choose?
| Priority | Best Airport | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest to downtown SF | SFO | Direct BART connection, 30 minutes |
| Cheapest fares | OAK | Budget carriers, lower fees |
| International flights | SFO | Far more international routes |
| South Bay / Silicon Valley | SJC | Minutes from downtown San Jose |
| Southwest flights | OAK or SJC | Heavy Southwest presence at both |
What to See and Do in San Francisco
San Francisco's neighborhoods blend together into an unforgettable mosaic of cultures, architecture, and natural beauty. Here are the highlights:
- Golden Gate & The Presidio - The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio national park, and upscale neighborhoods like Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights with sweeping bay views.
- Fisherman's Wharf - The classic waterfront destination with world-class seafood, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and sea lion watching. Touristy but genuinely fun.
- Chinatown & North Beach - One of the largest Chinatowns outside of Asia sits right next to North Beach (Little Italy). Walk from dim sum to espresso in five minutes.
- SoMa (South of Market) - The city's most transformed district, home to Oracle Park (San Francisco Giants), the SFMOMA, and a thriving food scene.
- The Mission - San Francisco's sunniest neighborhood, famous for its murals, incredible taquerias, and vibrant nightlife along Valencia Street.
- Castro & Noe Valley - The historic heart of San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community, with Noe Valley offering excellent restaurants and tree-lined streets next door.
- Japantown & Western Addition - Beautiful Victorian houses and Japantown - one of only three remaining Japantowns in the U.S. - with Japanese restaurants, shops, and cultural events.
- Twin Peaks & Lake Merced - A retreat from urban life with panoramic city views from Twin Peaks and the San Francisco Zoo near Lake Merced.
For a complete neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown, check out our San Francisco travel guide, including detailed guides to where to eat, nightlife, and neighborhoods.
Getting Around San Francisco
At just 7 miles from north to south and east to west, San Francisco is compact and well-connected by public transit.
- Muni - San Francisco's municipal transit network includes metro subway lines, buses, trolley buses, historic streetcars along the waterfront, and the world-famous cable cars. A one-day Muni Passport covering all services (including cable cars) costs $24.
- BART - The regional rail system connects downtown San Francisco to the Mission, the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland), SFO airport, and Oakland airport.
- Walking - San Francisco is wonderfully walkable despite the hills. Don't miss the climb up the Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower for one of the city's best views.
- Cycling - The ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito is a bucket-list experience. The Mission, Richmond, and SoMa are flat and bike-friendly. Bay Wheels (bike share) stations are everywhere.
For detailed getting-around advice, see our San Francisco transportation guide.
Good to Know
- Microclimates are real. It can be sunny in the Mission and foggy at Ocean Beach at the same time. The city's hills block fog and wind from the Pacific, creating wildly different weather across neighborhoods. Always layer.
- Harbor tours are worth it. On a clear day, seeing the city from the bay is unforgettable. Tours depart from Fisherman's Wharf near Pier 39, starting around $30–$45.
- Summer is foggy. San Francisco's warmest months are September and October, not July and August. Mark Twain (probably) said it best: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
