© Maarten van den Heuvel・Unsplash License

United States

San Francisco

A city of fog and hills. The cable cars are still working public transit, while BART and Muni do the daily grind.

Ride-hailing & taxis (Uber, Lyft, Waymo, taxi)

Anyone here can hail a Waymo with no one in the driver's seat. Taxi meter rates are fixed in city law and never surge, while Uber and Lyft prices are set by the app, demand included. One limit: Waymo does not serve SFO.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Book in the app, or use a taxi stand
    Uber, Lyft and Waymo each come through their own app. For a taxi, use a city taxi stand from SFMTA's list, or call a dispatcher.
  2. 2
    A Waymo arrives with nobody in the driver's seat
    Unlock the doors from the app, get in, and press "Start Ride" on the screen. Up to four passengers per car.
  3. 3
    In a taxi, check that the meter is running
    Once you set off, look at the meter. Trips that run well outside the city line are charged at a higher rate.
  4. 4
    Pay by card or by cash
    A taxi takes cards at the in-car terminal, or cash straight to the driver. App rides charge the card on your account.
  5. 5
    At SFO, walk to the designated pickup area
    App cars cannot pick you up at the arrivals curb. Domestic is Level 5 of the garage; International uses the Departures island.

Typical costs

Fixed-price routes1

Estimated taxi fare, city to SFO
An SFMTA estimate dated June 3, 2026; tolls, tips and waiting time are not included.
56 USD ≈ $56

How the meter adds up3

Taxi flag rate (first 1/5 mile)
Trips over 15 miles beyond the city line cost 150% of the meter; bridge tolls are on the passenger.
4.15 USD ≈ $4
Distance and waiting increments
Charged for each additional 1/5 mile, and for each minute of waiting or traffic delay.
0.65 USD ≈ $0.7
SFO pick-up fee
Built into the meter only when you board at SFO; nothing is added for being dropped off there.
6 USD ≈ $6

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
The operator does not name the brands it accepts
Every taxi must take major credit cards, at the in-car terminal
App tickets
The three ride-hailing services and the taxi e-hail apps all charge in-app
Cash
Cash works in a taxi; app rides are charged in the app

Quick facts

Hours
24 hours
Fares from
56 USD+

Heads-up

  • At SFO, app cars do not pick up at the arrivals curb

    If you order an Uber or Lyft at SFO, you walk to a designated area rather than the arrivals curb. Domestic pickups are on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage, in the zones matching your terminal (T1 = A/B and B, T2 = C and D, T3 = E, F and F/G). At the International Terminal it is the Departures/Ticketing level centre island, pick-up zones 14-17.

  • A taxi fare dispute is settled by the police

    If you end up in a fare dispute with a taxi driver, you are not expected to settle it on the spot. Under the city's rules the driver must call the police or, with your consent, drive you to the nearest police station, where the officer in charge decides the case. A receipt is available on request.

Timetable

Operating hours 24 hours
Typical duration Both the time and the price ride on the traffic - short hops across town can be quicker on foot or on Muni
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka