Can I tap with a foreign bank card?

Most systems now support open-loop contactless. Keep a backup paper ticket when traveling with a group to avoid tapping each person manually.

Buses rarely charge extra, but airport expresses may require storing big bags in designated racks.

SFOUnited StatesTPL: fare-hacker-playbook

San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco, United States

Drop-off

Downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero / Powell St BART)

Pin before customs

Fastest

BART Yellow Line (Antioch–SFO/Millbrae)

rail · 10-20m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: BART Yellow Line (Antioch–SFO/Millbrae)
Headway: 10-20
Backup: Caltrain via BART transfer at Millbrae · 30-60m

Note

Frequent rapid rail from SFO International Terminal directly to downtown San Francisco BART stations including Civic Center, Powell St, Montgomery St and Embarcadero; typical travel time to downtown is about 30 minutes. Service runs daily with reduced frequency late at night—check BART schedule for exact first/last trains and overnight gaps, especially after midnight.cite

Budget focus

San Francisco: Fare Hacker Playbook

Ways to shave costs without blowing your schedule. Targets queries likesan francisco airport busandsfo to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Cheapest viable route

Brief

Usually slower but dramatically cheaper than the flagship airport express.

Service: SamTrans Route 292
Mode: bus
Freq: 20-30m
Note: Local bus from SFO terminals to San Francisco via North McDonnell Road, serving southeastern neighborhoods and continuing to downtown along Mission Street. Operates day and evening hours and is a lower-cost but slower alternative to BART; overnight coverage is supplemented by ECR Owl and 397 routes.cite

Passes and bundles

Brief

Look for day passes that include the airport zone plus metro, tram, or ferry transfers. Load value online to avoid kiosk surcharges.

When to splurge

Brief

Worth the premium when you have back-to-back meetings or tight onward connections downtown.

Service: BART Yellow Line (Antioch–SFO/Millbrae)
Mode: rail
Freq: 10-20m
Note: Frequent rapid rail from SFO International Terminal directly to downtown San Francisco BART stations including Civic Center, Powell St, Montgomery St and Embarcadero; typical travel time to downtown is about 30 minutes. Service runs daily with reduced frequency late at night—check BART schedule for exact first/last trains and overnight gaps, especially after midnight.cite

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FAQs

01Can I tap with a foreign bank card?: Most systems now support open-loop contactless. Keep a backup paper ticket when traveling with a group to avoid tapping each person manually.
02Any luggage fees?: Buses rarely charge extra, but airport expresses may require storing big bags in designated racks.