Getting to SFO Airport from Union Square

[DaveNV]

We're staying at the WorldMark San Francisco for a few days this Fall, at the end of a Bay Area trip to visit relatives. The rental car we'll have will be turned in on arrival at the resort, to save the $45 daily parking fee. We'll use public transportation to get around the city.

But that means on departure day we'll need to decide how best to get to the airport. Does anybody have good ideas on the best way to do that? The resort is two blocks from Union Square. Easiest answer is to take a cab to the airport, which I read is about $60. Are their other options nearby?

Dave

 

[Luanne]

There are shuttle services, or you could take BART. Nearest station is Montgomery St.about an 8 minute walk. Powell St. Station, which is one stop closer to SFO, is about 11 minutes walk. BART goes directly to the airport. That would be the cheapest, and possibly the fastest.

 

[DeniseM]

+1 for BART: BART has a station right in the airport and the fare from Powel St. to the airport is $9.15 pp.

https://www.bart.gov/tickets/calculator

 

[geist1223]

When my son lived in Walnut Creek and he flew out he took BART to SFO and when his wife's relatives flew in from NYC he would have them take BART to Walnut Creek.

 

[DaveNV]

Sounds like BART is the choice to make. I've ridden it before, but didn't know if there were other options that might be better. Thanks!

Dave

 

[LisaH]

Uber if it’s two or more people. Cost around 20-25 total.

 

[DaveNV]

Uber if it’s two or more people. Cost around 20-25 total.

Really? I've never taken Uber. There will be two of us. I'll need to look into that. Thanks!

Dave

 

[DeniseM]

Remember, that depending on the time of day, BART could be much faster than taking city streets.

 

[DaveNV]

Remember, that depending on the time of day, BART could be much faster than taking city streets.

Very good point. Flight is at 10AM, so I'm thinking between 7 and 8AM. BART is sounding better all the time.

Dave

 

[Luanne]

Sounds like BART is the choice to make. I've ridden it before, but didn't know if there were other options that might be better. Thanks!

Dave

None cheaper, unless you hitch a ride with a friend......or walk.

 

[DaveNV]

None cheaper, unless you hitch a ride with a friend......or walk.

Uh...yeah. No.

I checked Uber. Looks like the rates are $28-$36, and I assume, a tip. Checked Lyft and saw similar numbers.

So I think BART is the choice for us. Concerned about walking to the station with luggage containing $$$ photo equipment, so we may opt for a cab for that short distance. Still money ahead, I think.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Luanne]

Uh...yeah. No.

I checked Uber. Looks like the rates are $28-$36, and I assume, a tip. Checked Lyft and saw similar numbers.

So I think BART is the choice for us. Concerned about walking to the station with luggage containing $$$ photo equipment, so we may opt for a cab for that short distance. Still money ahead, I think.

Thanks,
Dave

Look into shuttles as well. Super Shuttle, for a shared ride, pick up at hotel would be $34 for two.

We usually don't haul our luggage through San Francisco, but I'd feel safe going between the hotel and BART.

 

[LisaH]

I was checking last night. Right now, it’s a bit higher but if you are willing to walk a bit, should still be around $20 with Express Pool for two people. I usually tip by rounding up. For instance, $20 for $18.09 trip.

 

[LisaH]

BTW, Uber is very convenient in the city. Usually costs less than $10 for most of the places in the city. We usually take a train to the city to avoid the parking fee, and use Uber for out of place spots where BART does not reach. Also, it might cost even less than BART for 2-4 people as it charges a flat rate.

 

[Carolyn Arndt]

We're staying at the WorldMark San Francisco for a few days this Fall, at the end of a Bay Area trip to visit relatives. The rental car we'll have will be turned in on arrival at the resort, to save the $45 daily parking fee. We'll use public transportation to get around the city.

But that means on departure day we'll need to decide how best to get to the airport. Does anybody have good ideas on the best way to do that? The resort is two blocks from Union Square. Easiest answer is to take a cab to the airport, which I read is about $60. Are their other options nearby?

Dave

BART


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[Luanne]

BART


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Yep, that was already thoroughly discussed. Dave said they "might" use it, but his concern was taking luggage with $$$ worth of photography equipment through the city.

 

[clifffaith]

Best thing about BART to the airport is that it is downhill from Worldmark. The walk from BART to Worldmark is a major effort up the steep hills. Be sure you try the French bistro near Worldmark. By now I don't remember the name, but it is on opposite side of the street and downhill (towards Chinatown) a ways. Food is worth having to walk back up the hill!

 

[DaveNV]

Yep, that was already thoroughly discussed. Dave said they "might" use it, but his concern was taking luggage with $$$ worth of photography equipment through the city.

I think if we catch a cab or Uber to the BART station, that may be the best answer. I know it's not all that far, and I'd likely chance it, but I live with someone who is paranoid about stuff like this, and who won't do it.

Dave

 

[Luanne]

I think if we catch a cab or Uber to the BART station, that may be the best answer. I know it's not all that far, and I'd likely chance it, but I live with someone who is paranoid about stuff like this, and who won't do it.

Dave

Catching a cab in San Francisco has been getting more and more difficult. If you have the hotel call one for you, you are more likely to have success. I still haven't used Uber. I've gotten as far as downloading the app, but just haven't needed to use it.

 

[DeniseM]

Dave - This is not a scary area at all, and at that time of day, the streets will be filled with people.

 

[DaveNV]

We'll be staying there three days. As we're walking around, I may maneuver things to do a walking version ahead of time, to see how steep the streets are, and how far it truly is. This may all be a lot of fuss over nothing.

Dave

 

[clifffaith]

I think if we catch a cab or Uber to the BART station, that may be the best answer. I know it's not all that far, and I'd likely chance it, but I live with someone who is paranoid about stuff like this, and who won't do it.

Dave

I am the same way, but better if I've done some research. Scope it out on a map, maybe wander that way while you are exploring to get the lay of the land. I'm to the point now with my back/walking issues that all walking cities that we've already visited several times (SF, Seattle, Boston, NYC, Victoria, Vancouver) are off the list for the foreseeable future. Tell your travel partner to be glad they can walk! Of course this assumes you've learned to travel with a roll-aboard and a personal item and that you aren't going on a shopping spree and carrying extra stuff! One trip to Europe with big suitcases was all it took for us to learn to pack lightly, and in fact San Francisco in spring 2005 was the trip we practiced on so the trip to London and Paris in the fall was so much easier!

 

[DaveNV]

Of course this assumes you've learned to travel with a roll-aboard and a personal item and that you aren't going on a shopping spree and carrying extra stuff!

Nope, learned that lesson long ago. Unless Starbucks has great coffee mugs from that city, we agreed years ago that the only souvenir we can bring home is a refrigerator magnet. The rest is all photographs.

Dave

 

[VacationForever]

We use Super Shuttle alot, and I usually book "non-share" option so that we don't ride with others and the need for additional pick up and drop offs.

 

[Luanne]

Dave, I was telling dh about this conversation. Dh is one who will NOT lug suitcases (although he and I did drag our suitcases in NYC from Penn Station to our hotel one year, which was 15 blocks and almost a mile). Anyway, he always uses a car company. Pricey, but worth it to him. If you're interested PM me and I'll give you their name and number. It's a company he used for years when he was working and we still use them all the time when we come back to the Bay area.