Taking a Taxi in San Francisco
Using a San Francisco taxi service is a great way to see the city, and with more than 1,000 taxis available, taking one from the street, arranging one over the phone, or booking one through an app is easy. Several companies operate throughout the San Francisco district, meaning taxis come in a range of colors and vehicle models, although they should all bear the official “Taxi” sign on the roof.
Most taxis in San Francisco are hybrid – with a handful of electric vehicles – and typically seat 4 to 5 passengers. There are a number of vehicles that also offer a wheelchair ramp to assist passengers. San Francisco taxi rates are based on a meter, although fixed pricing is currently being trialed through selected apps. If you only have a short amount of time in this beautiful city, or if you prefer to get from A to B in the comfort of a private vehicle, taking a taxi service in San Francisco may be the perfect option for you.
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM SFO AIRPORT TO UNION SQUARE | 62 € | 62 € | 22 MIN |
| FROM UNION SQUARE TO FISHERMAN'S WHARF | 10.5 € | 10.5 € | 10 MIN |
| FROM SFO AIRPORT TO PIER 39 | 68 € | 68 € | 25 MIN |
| UNION SQUARE TO TWIN PEAKS | 26 € | 26 € | 18 MIN |
| SALESFORCE TRANSIT CENTER TO OAK AIRPORT | 58 € | 58 € | 22 MIN |
| GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TO PIER 33 (ALCATRAZ FERRY) | 27 € | 27 € | 20 MIN |
San Francisco taxi rates
Although there are many different taxi services in San Francisco, they all follow a state-regulated pricing system that includes a base fare and a per-mile rate. Fares are calculated by a taximeter based on distance traveled, with additional charges applied for trips from San Francisco Airport (SFO), road tolls, rides that travel 15 miles beyond the airport or city limits (charged at 150% of the normal fare price), and if your driver is made to wait or has to sit in traffic.
The current rates as of 2024 are:
First 1/5th of a mile: $4.15 (€3.80)
Each additional 1/5th of a mile: $0.65 (€0.60)
Each minute of waiting or traffic delays: $0.65 (€0.60)
Airport pick-up charge: $5.50 (€5)
*Note that the same prices apply whether you are traveling at night, during the day, or on weekends and holidays.
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How to get a Taxi in San Francisco
Finding a taxi on the streets of San Francisco is relatively easy, especially in and around the main city area. It’s common to hail a taxi from the street, just wave your arm when you see the “TAXI” sign lit up. Otherwise, there are dozens of designated taxi stands that you can walk to which will be marked by white and black signs stating “TAXI ZONE”. If in doubt, shopping centers, transport hubs, hotels, and popular areas such as Mission or Market Street and Union Square are all safe bets for finding a waiting taxi.
*Just keep in mind when trying to flag down a taxi that it can be difficult to find a spot for your cab to pull over on busy main roads.
How to get a taxi from San Francisco Airport (SFO)
Regardless of which terminal you land at San Francisco Airport, you will find an official taxi rank located outside the exit to the Baggage Claim and Arrivals area. San Francisco Airport taxis depart from each stand 24/7 and there will be a member of staff assisting passengers between the hours of 07:00 and 02:15 daily.
How to get a taxi from San Francisco Bay Oakland Airport
There is just one taxi stand at San Francisco Bay Oakland Airport (OAK) situated between Terminals 1 and 2. As you exit the Arrivals Hall, turn right from Terminal 1, or left from Terminal 2 and you should spot taxis lined up along Curb 1C. Since the airport is located across the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, the journey from OAK Airport to San Francisco city center takes around 30 minutes.
How to get a taxi from Salesforce Transit Center
If you’ve just arrived in San Francisco by bus or rail and still need to cover some extra distance to your destination, you can find a taxi stand by 1st and Howard Streets near Foundry Square. It’s a good idea to ask your driver for a price estimate and always check that the meter is in use.
How to get a taxi from Pier 39
Once you’ve had your fill of ice cream and fresh ocean air, you’ll find the Pier 39 taxi stand at the far right end of Beach Street on the curb of the Bay Walk pedestrian area. Keep in mind that the stand can only hold five taxis at a time so wait times can be lengthy, especially during weekends, holidays, or special events
How to get a taxi from the Golden Gate Bridge
There isn’t an official taxi stand at this famous monument so if you plan on visiting (which you should) you’ll either need to use public transport or book a taxi over the phone or through an app. If you’re at the south end of the bridge, the best spot to be collected from is the parking lot near the observation area. From the north/Sausalito side, the parking lot near Conzelman Road is the easiest. Note that you may have to pay the bridge toll once or twice, depending on which direction your driver is traveling to and from.
Most popular taxi apps in San Francisco
If you prefer to know when and where a taxi can meet you, using a ride-hailing service like Lyft, Uber, or Wingz may be more suitable for you. If you’d still rather use a metered taxi, the best San Francisco taxi app for a regular taxi is Yellow Cab SF, or you can use Flywheel and Arro which also offer the option of paying a fixed-fare rate (this is currently being trialed until 2025).
Lastly, to get to and from the airport, using an airport transfer service like Welcome Pickups is the most reliable option to ensure a vehicle will be available when you need one.
Useful taxi numbers in San Francisco
You can also arrange a taxi in San Francisco by number, although keep in mind that wait times may be lengthy when calling a company directly. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to arrange one over the phone for you. Some popular San Francisco taxi numbers include:
Green Cab: +1 (415) 333 3333
Flywheel Taxi: +1 (415) 970 1300
Eco-Taxi: +1 (415) 550 7055
ABC Taxicab: +1 (415) 970 1300
Yellow Cab of San Francisco: +1 (415) 333 3333
*Some taxi companies may charge a call-out fee.
The benefits of booking a San Francisco taxi in advance
It’s always a relief not having to run around town trying to find an empty taxi, especially late at night or when you’ve got tired kids in tow. Knowing that a reliable taxi driver will be waiting for you at exactly the time and place you requested can bring great peace of mind. Moreover, booking your taxi in advance allows you to pay a fixed price so you don’t have to worry about the meter rising.
San Francisco taxi tips
- Not all San Franciso taxis have working credit card machines, so it's best to have cash available to pay for your ride or confirm with the driver beforehand.
- Similar to restaurants, leaving a tip for your taxi driver is customary. Usually, this should be between 10% and 20% of the total fare.
- For extra safety, all taxis in San Francisco are required to have security cameras installed inside the vehicle and the driver’s registration must be visible to the passenger.
- Babies and children under the age of 8 are required by law to travel in a car seat, however, taxi drivers aren’t required to provide one. If you do need this service, it’s best to arrange a ride in advance with a company like Welcome.
- Always check that the meter has been reset to zero before starting your ride.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in San Francisco
The San Francisco taxi fleet includes ramp taxis that allow people with wheelchairs to roll directly into the taxi. There have been wheelchair-accessible ramp taxis in San Francisco since the 1990s and at present, there are more than 100 ramp taxi drivers in operation. You can arrange a wheelchair-accessible over the phone – Yellow Cab of San Francisco (+1 415 333 3333) and Flywheel Taxi (+1 415 970 1300) have the largest fleet, although other companies also offer this service.
*All of these taxis participate in the Paratransit program which provides discounted door-to-door transfers to people with a disability that prevents them from using other public transport services to reach their destination. Keep in mind, however, that this program isn’t available for airport pickups.
San Francisco taxi safety and complaints
You can trust that you’re in safe hands when using a taxi service in San Francisco, however, passengers do occasionally encounter a driver trying to overcharge or scam them. You can avoid this by only using official taxis and by tracking your ride on Google Maps to ensure they are taking the most direct route.
That being said, if you do encounter any issues, including reckless driving, you can report them directly to the taxi company by noting down their name and registration details. You can also submit a complaint to the San Francisco City Council.