Book and Go
Latest features
Travel to San Francisco
Flying to San Francisco
San Francisco International is a hub airport for Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin America. In in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland International Airport has become a focus airport for Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air.
Airlines offering direct flights to San Francisco from the UK include British Airways, Norwegian, United and Virgin Atlantic. Multiple airlines fly to San Francisco from within the USA and the city is a year-round destination, its popularity also means that prices are steady.
From London - 11 hours; New York - 6 hours; Los Angeles - 1 hour 15 minutes; Toronto - 5 hours 10 minutes; Sydney - 14 hours.
City Airports:
Telephone:+1 650 821 8211
Website:https://www.flysfo.com
Location:
Money:
Luggage:
Website:https://www.flysfo.com
Location:
San Francisco International Airport is about 24km (15 miles) south of Fisherman's Wharf, a busy tourist area on the northern waterfront.
Money:
ATMs are available in all terminals.
Luggage:
Luggage trolleys, or carts, are available free of charge for arriving passengers in the International Terminal. In other areas of San Francisco International Airport, trolleys can be rented for a fee of US$8 each. The dispensers accept bills up to US$20, with change provided in US$1 coins.
Baggage storage is available on Level 3, International Terminal. Prices vary based on the size of the item. For more information, call +1 650 877 0422.
If you have misplaced items within the confines of San Francisco International Airport, including areas such as baggage claim, gates, parking lots, and other public spaces (except TSA checkpoints), contact the San Francisco Police Department Lost and Found. The office is on Arrivals Level, Terminal 1, near Domestic Garage Core C Tunnel (hours: 08:00 to 22:00). Alternatively, call +1 650 821 7014 or email sfolostandfound@flysfo.com.
If you have misplaced items at security checkpoints, call +1 650 457 2670 or email: lostandfound@covenantsecurity.com.
Should you lose an item on an airplane, contact the airline you flew with for help in retrieving your belongings.
Telephone:+1 510 563 3300
Website:www.oaklandairport.com
Location:
Money:
Luggage:
Website:www.oaklandairport.com
Location:
Oakland International Airport is located 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city of Oakland, in the US state of California.
Money:
ATMs can be found throughout Oakland International Airport.
Luggage:
Left-luggage and lost property services (tel: +1 510 563 3982) are located in the Airport Administrative offices at the corner of Alan Shepard Way and John Glenn Drive prior to Terminal 1. Luggage trolleys are available throughout Oakland International Airport.
Travel by road
Summary:
The minimum driving age in California is 16 years and cars drive on the right. All valid national licences are acceptable, but car hire companies may prefer an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in English. US insurance is mandatory. National Interstate Highways have even numbers from east to west and odd numbers north to south.
Tolls on roads, bridges and tunnels are commonplace. Speed limits are typically 40-56kph (25-35mph) in built-up areas and 113kph (70mph) on the Interstate, unless otherwise posted. All occupants of the car must wear seat belts and passengers under 12 must be seated in the back. Drivers may turn right at a red light and a flashing red traffic light is the same as a stop sign. Driving and parking on steep hills requires special care.
The AAA (tel: 1 800 222 1134; www.aaa.com) provides information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.
Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357; www.aaa.com).
Routes:
Major highways are Route 80 from the east via Salt Lake City, Interstate 5, stretching to Seattle in the north and San Diego in the south, and Route 101, the north-south thoroughfare. The scenic coastal road, Highway 1 or PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), has incomparable ocean views, but also many intersections and traffic lights. Both Santa Cruz and Monterey are on Highway 1.
Driving times:
Los Angeles - 6 hours; San Diego - 8 hours; Las Vegas - 8 hours 30 minutes; Seattle - 13 hours.
Coaches:
Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) provides the most extensive bus service throughout the USA. Buses leave from the Transbay Temporary Terminal on Folsom Street. Regular long-distance services include Los Angeles, Seattle and Lake Tahoe.
Travel by rail
Services:
The two main railway stations are situated across the Bay, in Oakland. The newer station is located in Jack London Square, 245 Second Street. A second station, situated at 5885 Horton Street, Emeryville is where most trains arrive and depart. In San Francisco itself, there's an Amtrak ticket office in the Transbay Temporary Terminal, 200 Folsom Street.
Amtrak trains cross the USA and are comfortable, though sometimes subject to delays.
Operators:
Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the national railway provider.
The Coast Starlight travels north from Los Angeles to Seattle, with a stop in the Bay Area. The California Zephyr route travels from the Bay Area to Chicago via Reno and Salt Lake City.
Denver CalTrain (tel: +1 800 660 4287; www.caltrain.com), a regional train, serves Palo Alto, San Jose and many other small cities from the station at Fourth Street and King Street. These stop at 22nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Journey times:
To Emeryville: from Los Angeles - 12 hours; Seattle - 23 hours; Chicago - 50 hours.
Transport to the city:
Emeryville has an Amtrak Thruway bus service into San Francisco.
Travel over water
Summary:
The Port of San Francisco (www.sfport.com) operates the 110-year-old Ferry Building on The Embarcadero, situated at the end of Market Street. The port is technically the 11km (7 miles) of San Francisco Bay waterfront, stretching from Hyde Street Pier in the north to India Basin in the south. It includes restaurants, promenades and the attractions of Fisherman's Wharf. The Ferry Building Marketplace celebrates food in all its forms.
Ferry services:
The Ferry Building is a terminal that serves sightseeing boats and local and Marin County ferries. The Ferry Building and Pier 41 are where the various ferries dock - many companies use several of the docks, depending on the routes served.
Golden Gate Transit Ferry (tel: +1 415 455 2000; www.goldengateferry.org) operates services to Marin County. Bay Crossings tour information centre (tel: +1 415 362 0717; www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com) is located centrally in the Ferry Building. You can buy tickets at the ticket office behind the Ferry Building.
Transport to the city:
Transit options near the San Francisco Ferry Building include BART and MUNI buses, trolleys, light rail and cable car.
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2024 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.
You know where