The fastest way from SFO to Union Square is Uber, Lyft, or a taxi, taking about 20 to 30 minutes and costing $45 to $80 depending on traffic and time of day. The cheapest option is BART, which runs directly to Powell Street Station a few blocks from Union Square for around $10 to $11.15 one way and takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
| Option | Cost (one way) | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BART | $10–$11.15 | 30–40 min | Budget travelers, light luggage |
| Uber/Lyft | $45–$80 | 20–30 min | Convenience, door-to-door |
| Taxi | $45–$65 (higher during rush hour) | 20–30 min | Professional driver, no app needed |
| Private car | $75–$150 | 20–30 min | Groups, luggage help, late arrivals |
| Rental car | Gas + $35–$75/night parking | 20–30 min | Side trips outside the city |
Taking BART from SFO to Union Square
BART is the only direct rail link between SFO and downtown San Francisco, and it beats sitting in Bay Bridge traffic every time. The station sits inside the International Terminal, a short walk from Terminals 1 and 3, or a quick ride on the free AirTrain if you land elsewhere.
Board a Yellow Line or Red Line train and get off at Powell Street Station, the closest stop to Union Square. From there it’s a five to seven minute walk south to the plaza. Trains run every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the hour, and the full trip takes about 30 to 40 minutes including the walk.
You’ll need a Clipper card or a contactless bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to tag on and off. BART stopped selling paper tickets, so if you’re arriving without a US bank card, load Clipper onto your phone before you land to skip the station line.
Uber, Lyft, and Taxis
If you value speed and door-to-door convenience over saving a few dollars, rideshare or taxi is the better call. SFO routes all rideshare pickups to Level 5 of the parking garage across from Arrivals, and getting there on foot from your gate takes 10 to 15 minutes, longer if you’re hauling bags through the mostly open-air walkway.
Taxis line up right outside the arrivals doors, so there’s no walk involved, and a licensed, professional driver takes some of the guesswork out of a first-time visit. Expect $45 to $65 for a taxi and closer to $60 to $65 during the morning or evening commute. Rideshare runs $45 to $80 depending on demand, with UberX Share sometimes shaving a chunk off the fare if you’re traveling solo and don’t mind a shared ride.
Private Car and Driving Yourself
A pre-booked private car costs more, usually $75 to $150, but the driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, helps with luggage, and takes you straight to your hotel door. It’s the least stressful option if you’re landing late at night or traveling with young kids.
Driving yourself is the priciest route once you factor in parking. Union Square hotels rarely have their own garages, so you’re looking at $35 to $75 a night at a public lot on top of the rental fee. The drive itself only takes 20 to 30 minutes without traffic, picked up from the Rental Car Center via the free AirTrain Blue Line.
Which Option Actually Fits Your Trip
If you’re arriving during weekday rush hour (roughly 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. or 4 to 6:30 p.m.), BART sidesteps the Bay Bridge backup entirely and is usually your fastest option, not just your cheapest. If you’re landing after midnight, skip BART: the last SFO train leaves just after midnight, and missing it by minutes is a common mistake among tired travelers. A taxi or rideshare is the safer bet after dark.
Traveling with a stroller, a car seat, or more than one large suitcase? Rideshare and taxi drivers rarely carry car seats, and California law requires one for kids under 8, so a private car booked in advance, which can arrange a seat ahead of time, saves a headache at curbside.
Real-World Warnings Before You Go
- The hill matters. Union Square sits on a slope that gets steeper north of the plaza. If your hotel is north of Union Square itself, dragging bags uphill from Powell Street Station adds real effort, especially with a rideshare drop-off that can’t always pull curbside.
- BART fares are distance-based. You tag on at SFO and tag off at Powell Street, and skipping either step flags your card and can trigger a maximum fare charge at the gate.
- No free hotel shuttles exist for this route. SFO sits in a different county from San Francisco, so unlike airport-adjacent hotels, nothing in Union Square runs a courtesy shuttle, no matter how upscale the property.
If you’re planning a longer stay and comparing airport transfers elsewhere, our guide on getting from JFK to Manhattan by subway breaks down a similarly priced rail option on the other coast, and our Newark Airport to Manhattan by train guide covers another budget-friendly rail alternative worth bookmarking before your next trip.
FAQs
Is there a direct train from SFO to Union Square?
BART runs directly from SFO to Powell Street Station, about five to seven minutes on foot from Union Square, with no transfers required.
How much does BART cost from SFO to Union Square?
A one-way BART ride from SFO to Powell Street currently costs around $10 to $11.15 per person, paid via Clipper or a contactless card.
What time does the last BART train leave SFO?
The last weekday train departs SFO just after midnight, so late-night arrivals should plan on a taxi or rideshare instead.
Where do I catch an Uber or Lyft at SFO?
Rideshare pickups happen on Level 5 of the parking garage across from Arrivals and Departures, about a 10 to 15 minute walk from most gates.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or Uber from SFO to Union Square?
Taxis and rideshare cost roughly the same, $45 to $80, though taxis get more expensive during rush hour while rideshare pricing shifts with real-time demand.
Can I bring a car seat on BART instead of driving?
Yes. California’s car seat law only applies to vehicles, so BART, buses, and cable cars are exempt, making public transit the simplest option if you don’t want to arrange a car seat.
How far is Union Square from SFO?
It’s about 14 to 15 miles, roughly a 20 to 40 minute trip depending on whether you drive, take BART, or hit rush hour traffic.
Do any hotels in Union Square offer free airport shuttles?
No. SFO is located in a separate county from San Francisco, so no Union Square hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to or from the airport.
