Sacramento to San Francisco: 7 BEST WAYS [2023]

Do you need to get from Sacramento to San Francisco?

Then this post is for you. With heavy traffic and expensive parking fees, it’s understandable why you would rather take public transportation.

We have done this trip multiple times on several occasions, such as going to the SFO airport or simply staying the night and not wanting to deal with parking.

Luckily, there are multiple options to choose from to get to the city. To save you some time, here are the best ways to get from Sacramento to SF.  

How to Get from Sacramento to San Francisco without a Car

• Cheapest Option: By Bus
• Most Comfortable Option: By Train
• Most Scenic: Drive + Ferry

There’s a multitude of ways to get from Sacramento to San Francisco. It all depends on how long or short you want your travel time to be and how much you’re willing to spend.

Besides driving to the city, you have several options to commute to SF from Sacramento, such as riding a bus, train (Amtrak), BART, ferry, plane, or a combination of some of them.

This article will help you decide for yourself which one is the best way to get from Sacramento to SF. Use the links below to see the individual options.

	Length of Time	Cost
Bus	2:10 hrs –  2:50 hrs	$14-$31
Train (Amtrak)	2 hrs –  2:30 hrs	$33
Train (Amtrak) + BART	3 hrs	$27-$33
Drive + BART	1:30 hrs – 2 hrs	Gas + $5.85
Drive + Ferry	2 hrs	Gas + $9
Drive	1:15 hrs – 1:40 hrs	Cost of Gas
Plane	00:59 mins – 1:14 hrs	$204+ (one-way)

Sacramento to SF: 7 Best Ways

1. Sacramento to San Francisco Bus

• Best For: Those who are traveling on a budget
• Time/Cost: 2 hrs –  2:50 hrs / $14-$27
• VIEW BUS TICKETS

For those who are traveling on a budget, taking the bus is the perfect option for you. Not only is it the cheapest way to get from Sacramento to San Francisco, but there are also two bus companies you can choose from.

We personally prefer Flixbus based on past experiences, and the Greyhound bus station in Sac is located in a not-so-great part of town.

FlixBus

• Estimated Cost: $16-$26
• VIEW BUS TICKETS

FlixBus is one of the most affordable bus services that you can take to get to San Francisco from Sacramento.

It has multiple trips throughout the day, with the earliest departure time from midtown Sac at 5:45 am during the week and 7 am on weekends, while the last bus leaves at 1:45 pm on weekdays and 4 pm on weekends.

The multiple drop-off points make it convenient based on which part of the city you want to get to.

You can choose to reserve your seat for a nominal fee. Even better, you have the option to travel neighbor-free and reserve a seat beside yours.

You can also purchase additional storage if you’re bringing a lot of luggage. Make sure to arrive 30 minutes before your trip so you don’t miss your bus.

• Pick-up Locations: Old Sacramento (2nd St/J St) and Midtown Sacramento (29th St/K St)
• Drop-off Locations: San Francisco (5th/Townsend), Hyde/Beach (SF Fisherman’s Wharf), and Daly City BART
• Services Onboard: Wi-Fi, restroom, power outlets, luggage compartments, entertainment portal, extra legroom, reclining seats

Greyhound

• Estimated Cost: $14-$31
• VIEW BUS TICKETS
• Pick-up Locations: 420 Richards Blvd, Old Sac (2nd & J)
• Drop-off Locations: 425 Mission St, STE 206
• Services Onboard: Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, no middle seats, overhead storage, restroom

Greyhound is another bus service that provides affordable prices for those traveling to San Francisco. It has 5 trips to SF during the week and 3 on weekends.

Like FlixBus, you have the option of booking and reserving your seats on their website. 

For those traveling at night, it might be better to choose FLIXBUS, as Greyhound’s bus station in Sacramento is in a sketchy neighborhood.

This is our least favorite option out of the two bus companies on this list.

2. Train from Sacramento to San Francisco (Amtrak)

• Best For: Those who want a little more comfort
• Time/Cost: 2 hrs – 2.5 hours / $33
• VIEW RATES & AVAILABILITY

If you want to travel comfortably and avoid traffic jams, then taking the Amtrak train from Sacramento to San Francisco is the best option for you.

Besides the scenic views you’ll get from its big windows, it also has wide seats and enough space to get up and stretch your legs.

If you also need to get to San Francisco early, the Amtrak train has a trip leaving at 4:10 am and arriving at 6:20 am.

Upon arriving at Emeryville station, you will transfer to Amtrak’s Thruway Bus, which will take you directly to downtown San Francisco.

If you decide to take the Sacramento to San Francisco train, arrive at least 15 minutes before the departure time as there are no assigned seats.

• Departing from: Sacramento Valley Station
• Drop-off Locations: Emeryville station with Amtrak Thruway Bus to 555 Mission St., San Francisco 
• Services Onboard: Private rooms, seating options, onboard dining, Wi-Fi, desk, power outlets, restrooms, pets and bicycles onboard 

3. BART from Sacramento to San Francisco

• Best For: Those who are traveling to locations close to a BART station
• Time/Cost: 1.5 hrs (Amtrak), 1.5 hrs (BART) = 3 hrs / ~$37

If you’re traveling to locations close to a BART station, a combination of taking the Amtrak train and BART is the best option for you.

While there is no BART station in Sacramento, the closest one you can connect to is the Richmond station. 

From Sacramento Valley Station, take the Amtrak train and get off at Richmond Station.

From there, transfer to the BART and take the Red Line. It will pass through Downtown San Francisco and directly to SFO. Check the BART Schedule here.

If you’re traveling by yourself at night, it is best to take the bus that goes straight to the city.

Transferring at Richmond station during the day is perfectly fine and safe but try to avoid it late at night, especially if traveling solo.

💡 Do you need to get back to Sacramento? Here is a detailed post on how to get from San Francisco to Sacramento

• Departing from: Sacramento Valley Station
• Drop-off Locations: Multiple BART stations
• Services Onboard: Amtrak (onboard dining, Wi-Fi, desk, power outlets, restrooms, and bicycles onboard); BART (bike area, wheelchair area)

4. Ferry from Sacramento to San Francisco

• Best For: Those who are traveling for leisure
• Time/Cost: 55 mins (Drive) + 1 hr (Ferry) = 2 hrs / Gas + $9
• Suggested Route: Drive from Sacramento to Vallejo Ferry Terminal
• Drop-off Locations: Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal (Gate E)
• Services Onboard: Free Wi-Fi, restrooms, snack bar, bike racks

If you’re traveling for leisure and you want to take public transportation that has the best views of the San Francisco skyline, consider taking the ferry from Vallejo Ferry Terminal.

This is a great option if you’re traveling with family and friends.

From Sacramento, it’ll take about an hour to get to Vallejo Ferry Terminal, and daily-paid parking is available across the terminal.

You can purchase your tickets and top off Clipper cards at the ticket office, and the ferry will take you to Downtown San Francisco Terminal (Gate E).

Here is the Ferry Schedule for your convenience. 

5. Drive + BART

• Best For: Those who have a car but want to avoid paying for parking in the city
• Time/Cost: 1.5 hrs – 2 hrs / Gas + $5.85
• Suggested Route: Drive from Sacramento to Pleasant Hill BART station, then take the BART to the city

This option is another way to travel from Sacramento to San Francisco. It’s perfect for when you still want to drive but want to avoid the steep parking fees in the city.

You will drive to the Pleasant Hill BART station, which is conveniently right off the freeway.

This is also a good alternative if you want a little more flexibility with your time, as you only have to account for the BART schedule.

There’s a covered parking structure with a $3 fee per day. For Single or Multi-Day Reserved, it’s $6 per day and free on the weekends.

Only the Multi-Day tickets allow you to leave your car for more than 24 hours. You can also purchase your parking spot from the BART app. 

6. Drive from Sacramento to San Francisco

• Best For: Those who don’t want to take public transportation
• Time/Cost: 1 hr 15 mins – 1 hr 40 mins  / Cost of gas and toll

If taking public transportation doesn’t appeal to you, driving is something you should consider.

Traveling during rush hour (7-9 am and 4-7 pm) is best avoided unless you want to get stuck in traffic.

Depending on how heavy the traffic is, it will take longer than taking the train, but you don’t have to go through the hassle of changing lines and waiting for the train to arrive.

Driving to San Francisco is the most flexible choice among the others on this list, but you have to take into consideration the cost of gas, getting a rental car, tolls, steep parking rates, and traffic congestion in the city.

Find out the age for renting a car in California.

💡 Local Tip: If traveling solo, you can use the carpool lane from 10 am to 3 pm and 7 pm onwards

7. Plane

• Best For: Those who want to avoid traffic or traveling for work
• Time/Cost: 59 mins – 1 hr 14 mins, (starts at $200 one-way)
• Airline: United Airlines 

If you don’t like the idea of land or sea travel, flying is the best option for you.

Air travel might seem the fastest way to get to San Francisco, but it actually takes longer because you have to check in. It takes even longer if you brought a lot of luggage with you.

Air travel is one of the most expensive modes of transportation on this list. Besides the expensive airfare, you also have to consider the additional costs to travel to and from the airport.

If you do decide to fly, one of these hotels in Sacramento offers a free shuttle to the airport, and these suite hotels are perfect for those traveling with their family.

Getting From Sacramento to SFO Airport

Train from Sacramento to San Francisco Airport

• Travel Time: 1.5 hrs (Amtrak) + 2 hrs 19 mins (BART) = 3 hrs 50 mins 
• Cost: starts at $38
• Earliest Train from Sac: 4:10 am (Weekday), 5:55 am (Sat/Sun)
• Last Train from Sac: 7:55 pm (Weekday), 8:55 pm (Sat/Sun)

If you want to take the train from Sacramento to SFO, you will need to ride the Amtrak train and transfer to the BART.

From Sacramento Valley Station, ride the Amtrak and get off at Richmond Station. From there, transfer to the BART’s Red Line, which will take you directly to SFO. 

Airport Shuttle 

• Travel Time: 1 hr and 50 mins – 2 hrs and 50 mins
• Estimated Cost: $174-$842

If you don’t like the hassle of riding public transportation, you can take an airport shuttle to your destination.

It’s more expensive than taking the train, but you won’t have to transfer lines and wait for the train to come.

You can book your shuttle in advance, and the pick-up location and cost will depend on the shuttle service that you’ll book.

You can pick whatever car you want, so this is perfect if you’ve got a lot of luggage. 

Here are some shuttle services that you can choose from:

• Sacramento Taxi Yellow Cab
• LAXRide
• Elife

FAQs: How to get to San Francisco from Sacramento

How do I get from Sacramento to San Francisco without a car?

The best way to travel from Sacramento to San Franciso without a car is by taking the bus which costs $14-$31 and takes 2:10 hours. You can also ride the train (Amtrak) for $33 or a combination of the Amtrak and the BART. 

What is the cheapest way to get from Sacramento to San Francisco?

The cheapest way to get from Sacramento to San Francisco is by bus with the cost ranging from $14 to $31. The two bus companies available are Flixbus and Greyhound offering multiple trips throughout the day.

Does BART run from Sacramento to San Francisco?

No, it doesn’t. However, you can ride the Amtrak from Sacramento Valley Station and get off at Richmond Station. From there you can ride BART’s Red Line to get to San Francisco.

You can also take the Orange Line at Richmond Station and get off at MacArthur Station. Then transfer to the Yellow Line, which will take you to San Francisco.

Is there a train from Sacramento to San Francisco?

Yes, there is. You can take the Amtrak train from Sacramento to San Francisco, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Once you get to Emeryville station, you will transfer to Amtrak’s Thruway Bus, which will drop you off in downtown San Francisco.

Does Amtrak go from Sacramento to San Francisco?

Yes, the Amtrak train travels from Sacramento Valley Station to San Francisco.

Although there is no Amtrak station in downtown San Francisco, you will transfer to Amtrak’s Thruway Bus at Emeryville station, which will take you to downtown San Francisco.

How to commute to SF from Sacramento?

The best way to commute to SF from Sacramento is by riding the bus if you want to avoid any transfers.

You can also take the Amtrak train from Sacramento to SF to commute between the two cities.

Wrap-Up: San Francisco from Sacramento 

Whether you’re traveling from Sacramento to San Francisco without a car or you just want to avoid the heavy traffic and steep parking fees in the city, there are a lot of options you can choose from.

Traveling can be quite a hassle, but planning your trip carefully and doing ample research can make it a more enjoyable experience.

Related:

• San Jose to SFO Airport
• Sacramento to Lake Tahoe
• Redwoods near San Francisco