San Francisco to Napa Valley: By Bus, Train, Ferry, Tours

The trip from San Francisco to Napa may be short, but when planning a trip to the wine country, you will have several options to choose from.

Getting to the California wine country for a day trip or weekend getaway is challenging enough to figure out where to eat and where to stay without planning how to get there.

The good news is I’m a Northern California native who spends a lot of time exploring both San Francisco and Napa.

I have made this trip more often than I dare to count, so I created this detailed list of options so you can get to sipping wine instead of fretting over your travel plans.

Best Ways to get from San Francisco to Napa

In a nutshell, here is the Napa from San Francisco transportation options including the estimated travel time and cost:

• Guided Wine Tour: 5-hour minimum, $99+
• Car: 1-hour drive, Gas + toll fee
• Car & Private Driver: 6-hour minimum, $50+/hour
• Uber/Lyft/Taxi: 1 hour, $70++ 
• Car/Limo Service: 6-hour minimum, price varies
• Ferry & Vine Transit Bus: 2.5 hours, $12.85
• BART + Vine Transit Bus (Weekdays Only): 1.5 hours, $10.50
• Train (Amtrak) to Napa: 2.5 hours, $15

By Wine Tours

For those who want to skip the tedious task of planning and just get on with the wine tasting, wine tours were made for you.

One of the most convenient ways to get to Napa from San Francisco is by joining a wine tour.

As we mentioned earlier, this full-day wine tour from SF to Napa and Sonoma is the best option if you want to experience the best of the wine country.

Most packages already include pickups and dropoffs to hotels and other locations in downtown SF, wine-tasting fees, and onboard guides.

This eliminates the problem of choosing among the hundreds of exceptional wineries in Napa and transportation, especially between wineries. You just hop on, hop off, and enjoy!

Small-Group Napa Valley Tour (with a Castle visit)

• Duration: 10 hours
• Group Size: small group with option for private group
• Number of Wineries You’ll Visit: 3
• CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

This small-group tour will take you to three exceptional wineries that offer what could be some of the most unique wine experiences you’ll find in Napa.

The first stop is Castello di Amorosa,  a 13th-century Tuscan castle winery, where you will see its vaulted wine cellars as you sample some of its elegant wines.

Tamber Bey Winery shares its home with a world-class equestrian facility, so you’ll get to mingle with Arabian horses as you enjoy some of their winemaker’s select wines.

The tour finishes with a private, seated tasting of Ru Vango’s reserve Napa Valley wines overlooking the Carneros vineyard.

Full-Day Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour

• Duration: 8-9 hours
• Group Size: large group
• Number of Wineries You’ll Visit: 3
• READ REVIEWS

This full-day tour covers both Napa and Sonoma and starts at the meetup point in Fisherman’s Wharf in SF.

A professional guide will take you to visit three local partner wineries where you will enjoy specialized wine tastings as well as a tour of each estate and a lesson on wine-making techniques.

You’ll also get to visit other famous sites in the wine country as well as a lunch stop at the historic Sonoma Square.

The tour company offers an option of including lunch at a local restaurant for an added fee.

Half-Day Napa Valley Wine Tour

• Duration: 6.5 hours
• Group Size: small group
• Number of Wineries You’ll Visit: 2
• READ REVIEWS

This half-day wine tour is designed for those who are a bit pressed with time or those who don’t want to spend a full day of wine tasting in the area.

The tour starts early in the late morning and after a scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find yourself visiting two amazing wineries in the Sonoma Valley.

You will learn a lot from the knowledgeable guides that make this an informative and fun experience.

After tasting some wine, the half-day wine tour concludes with a stop at the historic Sonoma Square for lunch before heading back to San Francisco.

This is your best option for visiting the wine country if you’re short on time.

If you are pressed for time, these half day tours from SF are wonderful options to visit Napa Valley.

By Car Service

• Travel Time: minimum 6 hours
• Cost: varies
• READ REVIEWS

Are you celebrating a special occasion with a group? Perhaps planning a romantic getaway for two?

Or maybe you just really want to splurge on your day trip around the Wine Country?

Booking a private tour promises a complete chauffeured experience in a luxury car.

You can create your own itinerary or, better yet have them customize one for you.

Most private tours only come with a driver, but this wine tour from San Francisco includes a knowledgeable driver who can make your trip to the wine country that much better.

By Car

• Travel Time: 1 hour
• Cost: Gas + toll fee
• Check Rates & Availability

If you want to get a rental car, driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley is considered the best way to travel to and around the wine country.

Not only is it the fastest but it gives you the most flexibility especially if you only plan on going for a day trip.

Remember to bring along a designated driver to fully enjoy your wine-tasting experience.

There are two options you can choose from when driving from SF to Napa, both involve bridges.

The most common and favorite option is heading north (Hwy 101) out of the city to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The other option is heading east (I-80) towards the Bay Bridge which will require a toll on Carquinez bridge.

Depending on the traffic, both routes will get you to Napa approximately around the same time.

By Car + Hire a Private Driver

• Estimated Cost of Private Driver: $50+/hour minimum of 6 hours + gratuity, other fees

What’s better than driving to Napa? Hiring a local private driver that will drive you around and ease you the hassle of navigating between wineries so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy your glass (or bottle) of wine.

If you don’t feel link joining one of the wine tours, then this is a wonderful option.

Private drivers are well-versed with Napa’s wine scene and can double as your guide so you actually get the flexibility of having your own transportation and the advantage of a private wine tour at a fraction of the cost.

You pay their service by the hour so you can just meet at your hotel or somewhere in Napa and let them take the wheel from there.

Here are some companies you might want to check out:

• Napa Tour Expert
• My Napa Valley Driver
• Napa Designated Drivers

By Uber

• Travel Time: 1 hour
• Cost: price starts at $70

Traveling from SF to Napa Valley via rideshare will roughly take around the same time as driving your own car which is about an hour, depending on traffic.

However, you have to take note that the fare price could just as easily surge from $70 to anywhere upwards of $200 depending on the time and other traffic conditions.

Besides that, your ride will only take you to one destination so you’ll have to book another one or use another mode which will cause your transportation costs to pile up. 

San Francisco to Napa By Ferry

• Travel Time: 2.5 hours
• Cost: $12.85
• Suggested Route: SF Ferry Building Terminal > Vallejo Ferry Terminal > Vine Transit bus line 11 > Soscol Gateway Transit Center

If you don’t mind taking a more leisurely yet scenic route from San Francisco to the wine country, the San Francisco/Vallejo Bay Ferry (see schedule) has trips that leave as early as 6:35 AM on weekdays and 10:30 AM on weekends.

Make your way to the SF Ferry Building Terminal located at Mission Street (Gate E) then ride the ferry for about an hour to Vallejo Ferry Terminal.

From here, you can just walk to the Vallejo Transit Center and ride Bus line 11 to the Soscol Gateway Transit Center in downtown Napa.

This method offers a different way to get to Napa but can be time-consuming, especially if you miss the connecting bus.

Depending on the time of the year you plan to visit Napa, this ferry ride can be a little chilly, so make sure to bring some layers.

By BART + Vine Transit Bus (Weekdays Only)

• Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cost: $5 + $5.50 = $10.50
• Suggested Route: BART to El Cerrito del Norte Station > Vine Transit bus line 29 > Soscol Gateway Transit Center

Another form of transportation from SF to Napa is by taking the BART. Make your way to El Cerrito del Norte Station by taking the Richmond line on the BART.

If you’re leaving from downtown San Francisco, it would take approximately 30 minutes.

Head southwest of the station towards the Vine Transit Bus Stop and ride Bus 29 to Soscol Gateway Transit Center in Downtown Napa near Oxbow market.

The bus ride would usually take about 50 minutes during light traffic. For a total of $10.50 each way per person, this is the cheapest way to get to Napa from San Francisco.

Note: This method is only applicable for weekday trips to Napa.

SF to Napa By Train (Amtrak)

• Travel Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cost: $15
• Suggested Route: Amtrak Bus from SF > Emeryville Amtrak Station (with a transfer to Martinez) > Napa Soscol Gateway Transit Center 

Traveling to Napa from San Francisco by train via Amtrak service will require you to ride the Amtrak Thruway Connector bus that departs from the bus stop outside of this Chase Bank in downtown SF.

Yes, there are no Amtrak train stations in San Francisco. The bus will take you to Emeryville Amtrak Station where you can board the train to Martinez.

From Martinez Station, ride the Amtrak Thruway Connector bus that will take you to Napa Soscol Gateway Transit Center.

This method takes the longest and involves quite a lot of transfers that might not be practical for a day trip to Napa but would work if you plan on staying in the area for more than a day.

San Francisco Airport to Napa Valley

San Francisco Airport is one of the major international airports close to the wine country, so you will most likely travel from here. Below are ways to get to Napa from SFO airport.

SFO Airport to Napa Valley by Private Transfer

• Travel Time: 2 hours
• Cost: $349
• READ REVIEWS

The most convenient way to get from SFO airport to Napa Valley is by booking a private transfer.

This VIP transfer service can accommodate up to 4 passengers in its spacious SUV, so it’s perfect for a small group or a family.

SFO Airport to Napa Valley by BART

• Travel Time: 2 hours
• Cost: $11.15 + $5.50 = $16.65
• Suggested Route: SFO BART to El Cerrito del Norte Station > Vine Transit Bus 29 > Soscol Gateway Transit Center

One way to get from the San Francisco airport to Napa Valley is by taking the BART and hopping on the VINE Transit bus.

From the airport, get on the Richmond line heading to Milbrae and get off at El Cerrito del Norte station which takes about an hour.

From there head southwest of the station towards the Vine Transit Bus Stop and ride Bus 29 for another hour trip to Soscol Gateway Transit Center.

This bus will drop you off in Downtown Napa near Oxbow market. 

Note: VINE Transit line 29 only runs on weekdays so plan accordingly.

Getting from Napa Valley to San Francisco by Public Transportation

Napa Valley to San Francisco By BART

• Travel Time: 1.5 hours
• Cost: $5.50 + $5 = $10.50
• Suggested Route: VINE Bus 29 at Soscol Gateway Transit Center > El Cerrito del Norte BART station > BART to downtown San Francisco

In order to get from Napa Valley to San Francisco, you can take the Vine Bus 29 from Soscol Gateway Transit Center in downtown Napa and get off at El Cerrito del Norte.

From here you can head towards the BART station which can take you to downtown San Francisco or other stops on the route.

If you’re taking this mode of transportation, be aware that the last bus trip leaves at 5:35 PM from Napa (see schedule) so keep this in mind when planning out your day.

Note: VINE Transit line 29 only runs on weekdays so plan accordingly. If traveling on a weekend, see the ferry option below.

Napa Valley to San Francisco by Ferry

• Travel Time: 2 hours
• Cost: $12.85
• Suggested Route: VINE Transit Bus 11 at Soscol Gateway Transit Center > Vallejo Ferry Terminal > San Francisco Ferry Terminal

If you’re traveling on a weekend and you need to get to San Francisco from Napa Valley, then you can consider getting on the ferry.

You first need to take the 1-hour and 10-minute ride from Soscol Gateway Transit center via the Vine Transit Bus 11 to the Vallejo Ferry terminal.

From here you can get on the ferry to San Francisco Ferry terminal which will take an hour. 

Note: Make sure to line up the departure and arrival times of the bus and ferry for a seamless transition. See the schedule here.

How to Get Around Napa without a Car 

As it’s not that difficult to travel from San Francisco to Downtown Napa via public transport, there are several ways you can actually get around the area that don’t involve you personally having your own vehicle.

Booking an Uber/Lyft, bike rental, Napa Valley Trolley, and Napa Valley Wine Train are some of the most preferred options. 

However, if you plan to visit Sonoma as well, it will be tricky to get around if you don’t have a car.

Uber/Lyft

If rideshare service is your preferred mode of transport, you have to carefully plan your itinerary.

A 5-mile drive would cost you anywhere between $15-$20, so visiting wineries that are close to each other would be your best option to cut costs.

This might be your cheapest option if splitting with a group, although this option is not the most reliable.

You’ll have to consider the waiting time for your ride when booking specific wine-tasting schedules so you don’t end up arriving late.

Bike Rental

For fans of both wine and the outdoors, renting a bike would definitely add up to a more memorable California Wine Country experience.

You can ride the famous Napa Valley Vine Trail and go on a self-guided tour, or avail of a guided bike tour which comes highly recommended.

This highly-rated full day tour involves a stop at two wineries and they’ve recently switched to E-bikes for an even easier and smoother experience.

This bike rental company also offers E-bike rentals and tours as well as delivery to your accommodation (additional cost). Bike rentals can cost anywhere between $38-$130.

Napa Valley Trolley

The Napa Valley Trolley is an open-air winery tour aboard a replica of the historic San Francisco cable cars.

This guided tour starts and ends at the Oxbow Public Market downtown and takes its guests around to see Napa’s beautiful sights as well as visit three family-owned wineries for wine tasting sessions. Lunch at Ottimo Napa Valley is included in the tour.

Napa Valley Wine Train

Step back to a time when cars weren’t even invented yet and travel through the Napa Valley countryside aboard a vintage train.

Napa Valley Wine Train’s tour packages are between 2-3 hours long and feature different types of experiences elegantly executed to give the guest an immersive experience of the bygone luxury train travel days.

Gourmet Express, one of its basic 3-hour tours, starts at $185 and includes a multiple-course gourmet meal.

If you want to get discounts at multiple wineries including trips on the Napa Valley Wine train, then you should get the Priority Wine Pass.

FAQs

Is there a train from San Francisco to Napa Valley?

Yes, there is a train from San Francisco to Napa Valley. You can take the Amtrak from Emeryville to Martinez then transfer to a connecting bus to Soscol Gateway Transit Center in Downtown Napa.

Is there a shuttle from San Francisco to Napa Valley?

There’s no shuttle or bus that travels directly from San Francisco to Napa Valley but you can take the BART to El Cerrito del Norte Station. From there you can ride the VINE bus route 29 to Soscol Gateway Transit Center in Downtown Napa.

Is there a ferry from San Francisco to Napa Valley?

Yes, there is. Go to the SF Ferry Building Terminal and ride the ferry that will take you to Vallejo Ferry Terminal. Find the VINE Transit station located at this ferry terminal then ride bus line 11 to Soscol Gateway Transit Center in Downtown Napa.

How far is Napa Valley from San Francisco?

Downtown Napa is approximately 50 miles away from San Francisco and takes about an hour’s drive. There are different types of transportation to get to Napa from San Francisco but driving is the fastest means of travel.

Wrap-Up: Napa from San Francisco

Traveling from San Francisco to Napa Valley is easy as there are several options you can choose from.

If you’re still undecided, the best way to get to Napa from San Francisco is through this Small Group Napa Wine Tour with Castle Visit.

You can drive, book a wine tour, ride an Uber, Lyft, or taxi, hire a limo service, or take different types of public transportation. Choose what works for you and go visit the wine country today. 

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