Are there 24/7 buses?

Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.

Is it safe to take taxis overnight?

Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.

SFOUnited StatesTPL: night-owl-plan

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

Late arrivals

San Francisco: Night-Owl Operations

After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes. Targets queries likesan francisco airport busandsfo to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Lines that keep running

Brief

This is the overnight lifeline when the metro or flagship express shuts down.

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

Backup when rail sleeps

Brief

If even this pauses, default to the licensed taxi rank or approved ride-hailing pickup outside arrivals.

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

Ticketing tips

Brief

Load balance onto the local transit card before midnight because some kiosks shut or stop accepting bills after hours.

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FAQs

01Are there 24/7 buses?: Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.
02Is it safe to take taxis overnight?: Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.