Search Flights from San Francisco to Phoenix

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

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

The other rail system that you can use to get to 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 San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to 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 airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to 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.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located in very close proximity to the city center, only 5 km away. The airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Phoenix metropolitan area and the largest airport in the state of Arizona. In 2015 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport handled over 44 million passengers. You can easily get to the city center from the airport by taxi or airport shuttle services. For those who prefer public transportation, you can take a bus or tram to the city center from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The city of Phoenix has a very advance public transportation system with over 100 bus routes that operate throughout the city. Many hotels in the city offer their guests airport shuttle services to and from the airport. Renting a car from one of the rental car companies located at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is another transportation alternative to get to the city center.

Bus

Taking the bus to the city center from the airport is a very easy transportation alternative. The Valley Metro Bus Route 13 provides transportation to the city center, departing from Terminal 2. Bus Route 1, Route 44 and Route 32 provide transportation to the city, departing at the 44^th Street PHX Sky Train Station. Passengers can access that station, which is only minutes away, by using the PHX Sky Train from the terminals. Bus tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or once you are on the bus. For more information about bus routes please visit Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s website.

Rail

Another method of transportation to get to the city center is by rail. The Valley Metro Rail departs from the 44^th St/Washington PHX Sky Train Station. Passengers can get to the 44^th St/Washington stop by using the PHX Sky Train from the airport terminals. For more detailed information about the rail routes and stops please visit Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s website.

Taxi

For those who don’t want to take public transportation, the most convenient way to get to the city center is by taxi. Taxis are readily available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Taxis are located outside door #8 at Terminal 2, outside door #7 and door #6 at Terminal 3, and outside door #7 and door #6 at Terminal 4. Taxi fares vary depending on your final destination in the city. You can pay the fare using a credit card in most taxis. For more information on taxi companies and rates please visit Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s website.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another convenient method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport. Renting a car is also a great option for getting around in the city during your trip. Rental car companies are located at the Rental Car Center. We recommend making a reservation for your rental car vehicle before hand. The Rental Car Center is accessible using the Rental Car Shuttles that depart curbside at the baggage claim level of each terminal. There are 14 rental car companies located at the airport, including Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Payless, Silvercar, and Sixt.

Shuttle Services

SuperShuttle provides convenient shuttle van services between the airport and the city 24 hours a day, every day of the week. From 9 am to 9 pm these shuttle van services run every 15 minutes yet after 9 pm they run less frequently. Shuttle service rates vary depending on your destination in the city but generally range between 12 and 46 USD. You can pay in cash or with a credit card. These shuttle vans are accessible curbside at each terminal.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Many hotels located in Phoenix provide their guests with airport shuttle services. To take advantage of this service make sure to discuss it with the hotel you are staying at in advance; you will need to make a reservation and provide the hotel with some information at that time. Hotel shuttle services are an extremely practical and comfortable means of transportation but it can be a bit more expensive than taking a taxi.