Select Airport

OAK Oakland International

45 min to city

SFO San Francisco International

40 min to city

OAK guide →SFO guide →

San Francisco

Two Bay Area airports on BART, a city wrapped in fog.

Compact, scenic, and culture-rich, with waterfront views and walkable neighborhoods close to the airport.

Make the layover count

Tours that fit your layover

Pick your free time after immigration, security and the trip into San Francisco, and we'll show what actually fits.

WeGoTrip

Self-guided audio tour

Starts the moment you arrive. No group to meet and no fixed departure, so a late landing does not cost you the booking.

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Big Bus Tours

Hop-on hop-off bus loop

A sit-down loop past the main sights with nothing to reserve. Stay aboard if you are watching the clock.

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Tiqets

Skip-the-line attraction ticket

One landmark, done properly. The ticket lands on your phone straight away.

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GetYourGuide

Half-day guided tour

The sweet spot for a long layover. Most listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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Viator

Top-rated experiences

Tripadvisor's marketplace, and a useful second opinion where GetYourGuide is thin.

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Tiqets

Skip-the-line attraction ticket

Good filler if your tour finishes early and you still have an hour to spend.

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GetYourGuide

Full-day tours and combos

Enough runway to get beyond the immediate city and still return with margin.

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Viator

Private guide, flexible timing

Set your own return time. Worth the premium when the whole day hinges on one flight.

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Big Bus Tours

Multi-day pass

Cheaper per hour past eight, and still valid if the layover turns into an overnight.

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🏢

Under 3h

Stay airside

🚕

3–6 hours

Quick city stop

🗽

6–10 hours

Full exploration

🌃

10+ hours

Multi-neighborhood

IMMIGRATION45m

TRANSIT45m

EXPLORE1h 40m

RETURN45m

BUFFER35m

Recommended Itinerary

Your layover plan

Follow signs to passport control immediately on landing
Have onward boarding pass and hotel/address ready for questions
Primarily domestic traffic. Limited international arrivals (mostly Mexico, Iceland, seasonal Canada). CBP processing with Global Entry kiosks for arriving international flights, typical wait 15 to 30 min.

OAK AirConnect tram ($6 one way) connects the airport to Coliseum BART in 3 min. From Coliseum, BART reaches downtown SF Embarcadero in 20 min, about $5. Total trip 40 min, $11. AC Transit bus 73 is cheaper ($2.50) but 20 min slower. Rideshare to downtown SF typically $50 to $80.

At SFO, airside is genuinely pleasant—Terminal 2 and 3 have excellent food and natural light, and you can comfortably walk, eat, and reset without rushing.

We recommend you stay airside: SFO is efficient but the city is far for a short window; use lounges or grab a proper meal.

You can do a quick BART ride into downtown San Francisco for a short walk or meal, but limit yourself to one area and head back early.

This city is ideal for slow exploration. Take BART into town, choose a compact neighborhood like the Embarcadero, Mission, or Hayes Valley, and focus on food, views, and walking. Public transit is reliable, making it easy to enjoy the city without feeling rushed.

Leave enough buffer - trains run to a schedule and can be delayed
Buy your return ticket in advance if possible
Set an alarm 80 min before your departure gate closes

Re-entry security at OAK typically takes 10-20 min
Check your gate - it may have changed while you were out
Liquids bought in the city cannot pass security - finish or bin them

Where to Eat

Best eats for a layover

What to See

Top sights for your time window

Practical Info

What you need to know

Currency

US Dollar (USD). Cards and Apple Pay accepted everywhere, including BART and Muni. Small cash only useful for tips.

Language

English. Spanish is widely spoken, especially in the Mission and around Daly City. Most transit signage is bilingual.

Visa

ESTA required for Visa Waiver Program nationals ($21, apply 72+ hours before flight). All others need a B1/B2 visa. Layover travelers not leaving the airport still need entry clearance on most US connections (no international sterile transit). Verify before travel, visa rules change.

Transit

BART from SFO International Terminal to Embarcadero in 30 min, roughly $10. From OAK, take the AirConnect tram ($6) to Coliseum, then BART 20 min to downtown, about 40 min total. Rideshare from SFO is $40 to $65, longer at peak.

Weather

Mild year-round, 45 to 70F. Summer fog rolls through the Golden Gate from May to September, afternoons chilly and windy. Winters are wet from December to February, highs 55F. Layers essential any month.

Tipping

18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants (many now add auto-gratuity on parties of 6+). $1 to $2 per drink at bars, $1 to $2 per bag for porters, 15 to 20 percent for taxis and rideshares.

Emergency

911 for police, fire, and medical. SFPD non-emergency: +1 415-553-0123. Visitor assistance at the SF Visitor Information Center in Hallidie Plaza near Powell BART.

Time Zone

PST (UTC-8) from early November to mid-March, PDT (UTC-7) the rest of the year. DST observed.

Stay connected with an eSIM

Data from arrival, no roaming fees. Instant activation via Airalo.

Get eSIM ↗

Quick Facts

CountryUnited States

Transit to city~45 min

Getting to CityTrain/Metro

Entry RequirementsPrimarily domestic traffic. Limited i...

Airport WiFiFree WiFi

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San Francisco

Tours that fit your layover

Your layover plan

Best eats for a layover

Top sights for your time window

What you need to know

More layover cities

Guides for San Francisco & nearby