For SFO to San Carlos, you can drive, take BART and transfer to Caltrain, or arrange a taxi or rideshare at the airport.
- Rail: Take BART toward Millbrae, then transfer to Caltrain for San Carlos.
- Bus: SamTrans Route 292 stops at airport terminals; Routes EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center.
- Taxi: Taxi zones are on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level roadway center islands.
- Rental cars: The Rental Car Center connects to the terminals by AirTrain’s Blue Line.
Driving from SFO to San Carlos
Driving is a direct option between SFO and San Carlos. Allow time to collect a rental car or meet your driver before setting off.
The Rental Car Center is at 780 N. McDonnell Road in San Francisco and connects to the terminals by the AirTrain Blue Line. AirTrain operates around the clock, linking the terminals with the Rental Car Center and the airport’s other stops.
If someone is picking you up, coordinate a meeting point rather than asking the driver to wait at the terminal curb. SFO permits active pickup and drop-off at terminal curbs, but vehicles cannot wait there or on airport roadways. The Cell Phone Waiting Lot allows drivers to wait for up to one hour.
Taking public transit from the airport
The rail trip from SFO to San Carlos involves a BART ride to Millbrae and a transfer to Caltrain.
SFO’s BART station is in the International Terminal. If you arrive at a domestic terminal, AirTrain connects you to the station. At Millbrae, BART and Caltrain connect, with a cross-platform transfer between the systems. From there, take Caltrain to San Carlos station.
Caltrain runs seven days a week, but weekend trains are less frequent than weekday trains. Check BART and Caltrain’s official service information before setting out, especially if you are travelling late or on a weekend. For more local transport context, read how to get around San Carlos without a car.
SamTrans is another airport bus option, although the airport stops alone don’t establish a complete bus route to San Carlos. Route 292 stops directly at airport terminals. Routes EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center, which you can reach from the terminals on AirTrain’s Blue Line.
Taxi and shuttle considerations
At SFO, taxis queue at marked zones on the roadway center islands at the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of every terminal. Uniformed taxi coordinators are stationed there from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and can help arrange a wheelchair-accessible taxi; you can also call *1107 from an airport courtesy phone to request one.
Taxi fares are metered, and taxis must accept fares to destinations across the Bay Area. A $6.00 exit surcharge is included in San Francisco taxicab meter fares for trips that start at SFO. Check SFO’s official site before you go for current pickup arrangements and service details.
For rideshares, pickup areas depend on your terminal. At domestic terminals, Lyft and Uber pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage. At the International Terminal, Lyft, Uber and Wingz use the Departures/Ticketing Level roadway center-island zones 12–17.
Choosing a route for your arrival
Choose your transfer based on where you are headed next, how much luggage you have and whether you prefer a scheduled rail connection or a direct vehicle pickup. Rail combines BART and Caltrain; a taxi or rideshare avoids the transfer, while a rental car gives you a vehicle for the rest of your trip.
If you’re taking transit, follow the airport signs to BART and use AirTrain to reach the International Terminal station from a domestic terminal. For a taxi, head to the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level taxi zone; for a rideshare, confirm the pickup level for your terminal before walking to the garage or roadway zone.
When arranging a pickup, share your terminal and agreed meeting point with your driver. SFO’s curbs are for active pickups and drop-offs, so drivers should wait elsewhere until you are ready.
San Carlos Inn is about a 16-minute drive from SFO.
For a wider sense of the city’s layout once you arrive, the San Carlos neighborhood guide can help put local areas in context.
FAQs
How do you get from SFO to San Carlos by train?
Take BART toward Millbrae, transfer to Caltrain at Millbrae station, and continue to San Carlos station.
Does SamTrans stop at SFO?
Yes. Route 292 stops at airport terminals, while Routes EPX and 142 stop at the Rental Car Center.
Where do you meet a taxi at SFO?
Use the taxi zones on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level roadway center islands. Uniformed taxi coordinators can assist at those zones.
Can a driver wait at the terminal curb?
No. Terminal curbs are for active pickup and drop-off only; drivers can wait in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot for up to one hour.