Search Flights from San Francisco to Detroit

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. 

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also referred to as Detroit Metro Airport, connects the city of Detroit with the rest of the country and the world. One of the most preferred transportation alternatives to get to the city center from Detroit Metro Airport, which is located 32 km away, is by taxi.

Getting to the city center from the airport usually takes about 40 to 50 minutes; the total travel time will vary depending on which method of transportation you use and the traffic conditions.

Taxis are among the most comfortable and popular transportation alternatives in the city. However, the fact that the airport is located far from the city center makes the total fare quite expensive. Renting a car is one of the most frequently preferred means of transportation by visitors to the city. The cost of renting a car in Detroit is very reasonable. The city and its surroundings are easy to navigate by car, which is one of the main reasons why renting a car is a widely preferred method of transportation.

There are various international rental car companies located at the airport, such as AVIS, Hertz, and Budget, making renting a car in the city easy and practical. It is no surprise that public transportation in Detroit is not widely used and is not very well developed since the city is known as the ‘automobile capital’ of the United States. The nearest train station in the city is located 19 km from the airport. You can get to the station by taxi or car and then take a train to other cities around Detroit.

Detroit Metro Airport offers passenger services out of two terminals, the North Terminal and McNamara Terminal. There are shuttle services that provide transportation between terminals every 10 minutes. There are many well known restaurants and cafes at the airport, like TGI Fridays and Starbucks, as well as a rich variety of venues offering delicious dishes from international cuisine, especially American cuisine and Far East cuisine.

The airport also contains currency exchange services and ATMs to meet your monetary needs, cafes, restaurants, bars, bookstores, and duty free stores where you can go shopping for a great variety of affordable products.

Bus

Buses are a convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from Detroit Metro Airport. Buses depart from in front of both terminals and provide transportation to the city center. Bus services depart from the Ground Transportation Center at both the North Terminal and McNamara Terminal. It takes about 1 hour to get to the city center from the airport by bus.

Rental Car

Renting a car in Detroit, one of the most important automobile centers in the United States, is a very popular choice among visitors. There are many rental car companies that you can choose from, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Each company is located at the rental car campus. There is a shuttle service that provides transportation between the rental car campus and the Ground Transportation Center at each terminal.

If you are planning on renting a car in the city then we recommend booking your vehicle in advance by making a reservation online. This way your car will be ready for you when you land at Detroit Metro Airport.

Taxis and Luxury Sedans

Taxis are readily available at the terminal exit at Detroit Metro Airport and they offer both classic taxi services as well as luxury sedan services. Taxi service in the city is provided by Metro Cab and luxury sedans are provided by Metro Cars. The fares for both options are quite reasonable. However, these services are still more expensive than public transportation alternatives such as buses. You can access both vehicle options 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from the Ground Transportation Center at both terminals. Taxis can be an expensive alternative if you are traveling alone. However, if you are traveling in a group or with your family then taxis are among the most comfortable and fastest transportation alternatives in Detroit.

Private Transfer

Another way to get to the city center is by private transfer. There are various companies in Detroit that offer private transfer services. The fees for these services vary according to the service company you use and the distance traveled. However, in general private transfer services are cheaper than taxi services but more expensive than bus services. Private transfer services are usually preferred by large tour groups or corporate employees traveling on business. If you want to use a private transfer service to get to the city center then you have to make a reservation in advance before you land at the airport.

Hotel Shuttles

Hotel shuttle services are not a very common or preferred transportation alternative in Detroit, however they are available as a method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport. Hotel shuttle service fees are not too high. Moreover, some hotels offer these services free of charge to their guests. If you want use this service we recommend contacting the hotel you are staying at in advance to give them information about your flight arrival time and to make a reservation.

Car

You can easily get to the city center from the airport by car. Driving to the city center is among one of the most convenient transportation alternatives thanks to the passenger drop-off area and parking lots that offer both short-term parking and long-term parking. Parking fees at the airport are reasonable. Detroit Metro Airport also has charging stations to charge electric vehicles.