BART is the fastest and cheapest connection from SFO airport to downtown (Embarcadero/Powell/Montgomery stations) — about 30 minutes for $11.05. Take the free AirTrain monorail from any terminal to the BART station at the International Terminal, then board a Yellow Line train. A Clipper Card (reloadable transit card, $3 fee) works on BART, Muni buses, cable cars, Caltrain, and Bay Area ferries — the single most convenient way to pay for transit across the region. Buy one at any BART station or SFO airport. Cable car rides cost $9 per adult (2026) — buy a single fare from the operator on board, or use Clipper for a slight saving. Board at mid-route stops rather than the Powell or Hyde turnaro