San Francisco:

Airlift, Accessibility, and Connectivity for Meetings

San Francisco is easy to reach from practically anywhere in the world. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) connects to over 140 global nonstop destinations on more than 50 airlines, giving attendees a direct path here regardless of where they’re coming from.

Carriers like United Airlines and Alaska Airlines anchor an extensive flight network. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines add further connectivity. Leading international airlines extend SFO's reach into key markets across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Canada, and beyond. Wherever your attendees are located, San Francisco is only a nonstop flight away.

Large doesn't always mean complicated. SFO is straightforward to navigate with clear signage throughout every terminal directing travelers to gates, transportation, dining, and restrooms. For those moving between terminals, the free AirTrain runs 24/7, eliminating any guesswork or hassle.

Beyond logistics, SFO has earned a reputation as a destination in its own right. The airport’s art museums, exhibits, and interactive hands-on displays offer a first impression of San Francisco’s creative spirit before attendees ever leave the airport. Yoga rooms and recompose areas also invite travelers to decompress at their own pace. With award-winning free Wi-Fi and a SkyTerrace for rooftop public observation, SFO doesn’t just move people along at a high-volume capacity; it prioritizes the individual experiences along the way.

SFO International and Domestic Connectivity

• 7,226 average number of weekly nonstop flights
• 84 U.S airports served nonstop
• 60 international airports served nonstop
• 55 total carriers (domestic and international)

SFO Awards and Accolades

• Best New Passenger Experience (Airports Council International – North America, 2025)
• World's Most Beautiful Airport (Prix Versailles, 2025)
• World’s Best Art in the Airport (SkyTrax World Airport Awards, 2025)

• A Top 10 Airport for Food and Drink (Food & Wine Magazine, 2025)

   

San Francisco continues to make travel easy for attendees well after they leave the airport. Downtown is only around a 30-minute transfer away, and from there, the city’s transportation options keep the momentum moving.

BART

BART is a fast, direct way from SFO to San Francisco. Attendees can follow signage to AirTrain directly after getting off the plane or collecting luggage. From there, attendees can take the AirTrain to the Garage G/BART station in the International Terminal.

A one-way ride to the downtown Powell Street Station, just a short walk to The Moscone Center and major meeting hotels, costs $11.80 ($23.60 round trip). BART now accepts digital payments through tap-to-pay.

BART trains depart three to four times per hour until midnight daily, with service beginning at 5 a.m on weekdays, 6 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. on Sundays.

Ride-hailing Services

App-based ride-hailing and ride-share services are available on-site. Lyft and Uber pickups are located on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage. Wingz pickups are located at the Arrivals Level of the Domestic Terminals. At the International Terminal, pickups for all three of these services are located at the Departures/Ticketing Level roadway center island.

Waymo offers fully autonomous electric vehicle rides. Waymo vehicles pick up at the Rental Car Center Level 1 curbside located on North McDonnell Road.

SFO is located 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco, with the trip averaging around 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Taxis and Limos

Taxis depart from the center islands on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals. Taxis can be hailed directly or through an app like Flywheel. Taxi coordinators are on-site from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., and all cabs are metered.

Pre-arranged limousine and charter service is available through multiple companies. Pickup areas are located in the courtyards on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level. In addition, Lodging, Transportation, and Attraction Boards on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals provide free phone connections to participating operators.

San Francisco’s compact 49‑square‑mile footprint is a unique benefit for business events. San Francisco has a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, ranking it the most walkable large city in the U.S. The Moscone Center is located in downtown SoMa, surrounded by nearby hotels. The neighborhood also places groups at the center of San Francisco’s arts and culture scene and tech innovation. Attendees can easily move around the city without a shuttle, so you can design sustainable movement that skips traffic and avoids emissions.

For group transportation, planners can use charter buses or offer transit passes for individual flexibility. And consider a signature touchpoint like cable car or streetcar rides that turn getting around into a uniquely San Francisco experience, without sacrificing efficiency. Our city rewards a little creativity in the itinerary. Here’s a deeper look at some of the options.

Muni

San Francisco’s public transit system, Muni, encompasses light rail (below ground and at street level), cable cars, streetcars, and buses. Bus stops vary, ranging from yellow paint on street poles to white paint on streets. Metro stops are on street-center islands or in stations. Muni Metro and BART stations are located within two blocks of The Moscone Center.

Both BART and Muni accept tap-to-pay. However, only Muni rides cost a flat rate when purchased through the MuniMobile app: $2.85 for 120 minutes.

Cable Cars and Streetcars

Cable cars and streetcars are iconic San Francisco public transit, the last and only manually operated cable car system in the world. The system is a National Historic Landmark that attendees can actually ride. Downtown cable cars run on three lines: California, Powell-Hyde, and Powell-Mason. The Moscone Center is just four blocks from Union Square and the Powell Street cable car lines, connecting to culturally-rich neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf. A single-ticket ride costs $9.

The F Line streetcar that travels along Market Street directly to Fisherman’s Wharf offers a memorable, convenient way for attendees to experience San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods from a downtown meeting..

San Francisco has always been a city where everyone is welcome. It’s a core tenet of our hospitality and infrastructure, not simply a tagline.

The Moscone Center is ADA‑compliant, welcoming service animals and offering wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Assistive Listening Devices are available through the in-house AV provider, and catering can accommodate special dietary needs. Driveways and cutouts situated around the convention campus can act as shuttle pickup and drop-off locations that meeting planners can utilize for attendees.

Accessible hotels throughout the city offer ADA-compliant rooms and public spaces. They provide a variety of amenities and can support a wide range of needs for guests.

The BART and Muni public transit systems are built with accessibility in mind. All BART stations are equipped with ADA-compliant elevators for people with limited mobility. All trains feature dedicated green priority seating to the left of every door reserved for passengers with accessibility needs. The stations also have accessibility features for people who are blind or have low vision and for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Muni’s accessibility features include kneeling buses, adjustable ramps, reserved seating, and more. Even the historic streetcar line (F) is accessible at most stops via raised platforms and wayside lifts.

Explore San Francisco’s Accessibility