Search Flights from Atlanta to San Francisco

Atlanta is an important junction point of land, air, and rail transportation in the United States. It is also an important commercial and industrial city, where many international companies are headquartered in. Atlanta is also an important crossroads for international air travel. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also known as Atlanta Airport, is the world’s busiest airport according to passenger traffic and it was ranked the world’s busiest airport according to the number of landings and takeoffs for several years. Located about 13 km from the city center, the airport is easily accessible by a variety of transportation alternatives.

Metro

The airport is easily and directly accessible from the city center by metro. The metro line that runs directly to the airport can be accessed from the Five Points Station in the city center, where 4 metro lines intersect.

Using the gold and red metro lines you can get to the airport from Five Points in 15 minutes and from Peachtree in 17 minutes. If you’re traveling on the green or blue line you have to transfer to the red or gold line at Five Points.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient transportation method to get to the airport. Taxis are easily accessible in the city. Depending on your location in the city the airport is between 11-14 km away. Since the airport is located in close proximity to the city center taking a taxi is one of the fastest ways to get there. The taxi fare from major areas in the city center is a fixed rate.

Car

Since the airport is located very close by, driving is a quick and easy alternative. If you’re flying domestically you need to take the I-85, which connects directly to the domestic terminal. If you’re flying internationally you need to take the I-75, which connects directly to the international terminal. Both the I-85 and I-75 connect to other major freeways that provide access to other parts of the United States.

Once you get to the airport, there are indoor and outdoor parking lots, operated by 10 different companies, with a total capacity of 30 thousand vehicles. 

Airport Information

Handling over 95 million passengers annually, Atlanta Airport is not only one of the most important airports in the United States but also one of the most important international airports in the world. With over 58 thousand employees the airport is like a small city. The airport uses a color-coded system to help passengers find where they need to go.  

For buses to the city center follow the green signs, the gold and red metro lines go to the city center, and to get to nearby hotels follow the purple signs. The colored lanes on the floor will help guide you to your destination. The airport also contains dozens of restaurants and over 100 cafes offering delicious examples of international cuisine to cater to passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

Atlanta Airport also features exhibition spaces, galleries, and shopping areas. The airport is a pet friendly airport, featuring the Pet Assistance, which consists of pet areas, a veterinarian, and other amenities and services to satisfy the needs of your pet. 

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in San Francisco California, 21 km from the city center. The airport is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California and one of the first major airports to have an automated baggage system in place.  

San Francisco International Airport is an important hub for United Airlines and Virgin America. There are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get to the city center from the airport. You can get to various parts of the city from San Francisco International Airport by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car.

Train

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

The other rail system that you can use to get to the city center from 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 SFO and San Francisco and San Jose.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to the city center from SFO is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from the airport to downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. Taxis are readily available at each terminal at the airport and depart from the taxi zones located on the arrivals/baggage claim level. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between San Francisco International Airport and the city center. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Francisco International Airport and San Mateo and various parts of San Francisco. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 stop at 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 city center. There are many rental car companies that have offices at the airport. Renting a car is also a great way to get around the city during your trip. The AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the Rental Car Center from 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. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who are traveling with their bike or who want to leave their bike at the airport. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes.