Search Flights from Chennai to San Francisco

The distance between the city center of Chennai in India and Chennai International Airport is approximately 21 kilometers. You can cover this distance by taking a train, bus, taxi or by renting a car, in 50 minutes on average.

Train

Train is the most used means of transportation of Chennai, which is a large and crowded city. Trains depart every 5-6 minutes, and their period between the stops is 2 minutes. When you want to go to the airport from the city center, there are no stops right in front of the terminal; however, you can take a short walk when you get off at Tirusulam stop. The duration of your journey depends on the station you take the train at in the city. To get off at this stop, you must come to Park Train Station in the city center and then take one of the local trains going to Tambaram or Chengalpet direction. 

Contrary to the general perception in the country, the wagons of the trains in Chennai are quite clean and have air conditioners. One train ticket costs maximum 40 Indian Rupees (1 INR=0.015 USD), and you can buy the tickets at every station. This cost is more reasonable than the airport transfers with a rented car or taxi; it is the most economical transportation alternative.

Bus

In your transfers to the airport from the city center, another economical alternative is to take a bus. This journey, by local buses, takes approximately 40 minutes. You can come close to the airport by the buses that you can take from the bus stops in the city center and goes from the direction of Thindivam (Trichy). The first bus departs from the harbor in the city center at 10:00 every day. Because the drivers are quite used to tourists, you can get their help for the stop you are going to get off at.

Taxi

If your backpack is not the only thing with you and you do not want to wait at bus stops or train stations, the most practical option you can prefer for transfer to the airport from the city center of Chennai is to take a taxi. Taxis, which you can stop within the traffic or reserve on the Internet, are active 24/7, and you can complete your transfer in about 30 minutes by taking them. For your transfer, which will cost 350-500 Indian Rupees on average, you can call a taxi from the well-known companies such as City Taxi (+91 82972 82979) and Fast Track (+91 44288 89999). You can also save money by benefitting from joint taxis, which are among the alternatives that tourists mostly resort to.

Car Rental

If your flight is at an early hour and you want to go to the airport with your own car, you will encounter several companies in the city, offering options in this matter. In order to see compared prices in the type of vehicle you prefer, you can search regional companies on the Internet and get offers from international brands such as Hertz, Avis, Alamo and Europcar.

Airport Information

Chennai International Airport serves Chennai, which is one of the biggest cities of India. With its active traffic, it is the fourth busiest airport of India following Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The airport, which is visited by approximately 20 million passengers per year and has adjacent international and domestic flights terminals, is located 21 kilometers far from the city center. While the domestic flights terminal is named after K. Kamaraj, one of the former Indian ministers, the international flights terminal is named as CN Annadurai.

While waiting for the departure of your plane in Chennai International Airport, which is the busiest airport of South India, you can visit shops and spend time in restaurants and cafes. Besides, the airport provides services such as free Wi-Fi, car rental offices and ATMs.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in San Francisco California, 21 km from the city center. The airport is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California and one of the first major airports to have an automated baggage system in place.  

San Francisco International Airport is an important hub for United Airlines and Virgin America. There are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get to the city center from the airport. You can get to various parts of the city from San Francisco International Airport by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to the city center from San Francisco International Airport. The first is the BART, a rapid-rail system. The BART station is located in the international terminal at the airport. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between the airport and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to the city center from SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between SFO and San Francisco and San Jose.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to the city center from SFO is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from the airport to downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. Taxis are readily available at each terminal at the airport and depart from the taxi zones located on the arrivals/baggage claim level. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between San Francisco International Airport and the city center. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Francisco International Airport and San Mateo and various parts of San Francisco. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 stop at the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the city center. There are many rental car companies that have offices at the airport. Renting a car is also a great way to get around the city during your trip. The AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the Rental Car Center from the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who are traveling with their bike or who want to leave their bike at the airport. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes.