Search Flights from San Francisco to Addis Ababa

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Addis Ababa, which is connected to Kenya, Somalia and Sudan by highways, connected to Djibouti, one of the important trade centers of Africa, by railways and has an international airport, is both a transfer point and an important trade center for the country. In the country where animal husbandry and agriculture are widespread and light industry is developed, the most important product of the city is coffee. The city is also an important education center thanks to the universities and colleges it hosts.

In the city, there are many coffee shops where you can drink and buy coffee. In Addis Ababa, urban transportation is provided with buses, minibuses and taxis. Public transportation isn’t very developed. Ticket prices of these means are affordable. However, bus routes don’t operate at regular intervals and there may sometimes be delays.

Blue - white colored minibuses that you can use as an alternative to buses are faster than buses and carry passengers with more affordable fares. The fare is about 1.5 Birr, which is less than 50 cents, depending on your destination. Minibuses that start operating at early hours in the morning generally offer service until 09:00 pm. You can also get on a taxi for your transportation in the city. It is not always easy to find a taxi here. You can find a taxi more easily in central parts of the city and in front of big hotels.

The vehicles used as taxi are generally old model automobiles. Despite of this, it can be said that taxis are the most comfortable means of transportation in Addis Ababa. However, before getting on a taxi you should agree on the fare and definitely bargain with the driver. If you are thinking of renting a car and having a comfortable means of transportation during your visit, you should be careful about the traffic. You should remember that there are no traffic lights on many roads and roundabouts and this situation negatively affects traffic flow. In addition, you can have trouble in buying gas. There can be long queues at gasoline stations. On the other hand, there is no problem about parking in the city and average parking fee is 0.50 Birr. Although there is a railway system in the city, trains are not a part of urban transportation.

Bole International Airport is located 6 km south of the city center on Bole Road. To get to the city center from the airport you can use minibuses as the means of public transportation or you can also choose to take a taxi. Renting a car is another alternative for your travel to the city center although it is generally not recommended due to traffic problems. If you are going to stay at a hotel, airport shuttle services offered by some hotel are one of the most comfortable and reliable transportation options.

Minibus

If you are thinking of getting to the city center by using a means of public transportation, you can get on the minibuses departing from Bole Dild minibus stops located in front of the overpass found right across the terminal exit. Minibuses offer service from 06:00 am to 08:00 pm.

The fares are cheaper than taxis and vary according to your destination. The fares are 5 Birr on average. You should remember that tourists may be charged higher amounts. You can learn the amount you need to pay by talking to other passengers before getting on any minibus. You need to pay an additional amount for your baggage.

Hotel Shuttle

In addition to small hotels, accommodation centers of certain chain hotels like Radisson, Hilton and Sheraton are also located in the city center. Some hotels offer airport shuttle service. If you don’t prefer public transportation and don’t want to bargain with taxi drivers about the fare, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle service which will pick you up in front of the baggage claim area and leave you just in front of your hotel. To benefit from this service, you should contact your hotel in advance and agree on the price, make a reservation and give the necessary information such as the number of passengers and baggage.

Taxi

There are two types of taxis that you can get on to reach the city center from the airport. At airport taxi stand, Mercedes taxis of the National Tour Operator (NTO) operate under a company and offer service with more comfortable vehicles. With their predetermined tariffs, they create a more reliable image in terms of the fares and offer private services. You can ask your hotel to call a NTO taxi for you or get in contact with the taxi desk located in the arriving passenger terminal. Tariffs are offered according to your destination. There is no taximeter in these taxis, so it is advised to agree on the fare before getting on. These taxis are approximately 10 times more expensive than blue-white taxis. You can also reach the city center in a short time with a blue-white taxi which you can get on at the exit of the airport. The average fare is between 80 and 100 Birr.

These taxis are managed by individuals. These taxis, which are larger than a standard automobile, operate just like a small bus. They have a standard route, pick up passengers from certain points and drop them off at certain points. There is no taximeter in blue-white taxis and the fares of the stops are predetermined. In addition, you shouldn’t forget that you may need to bargain on the fare.

Car Rental

You can rent a car from one of the car rental companies located at the airport. Since some roads have no name, there isn’t sufficient number of traffic signs throughout the city and there is no traffic light on many roundabouts, traffic flow isn’t in order. In order to reach the city center with the car you have rented, you should drive northwestward after leaving the airport. The road is about 6 kilometers.