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San Francisco taxi fares

A taxi from North Beach (Washington Square) to Caltrain, 4th and King picked up on Tuesday 10 November, 12:00 costs about $14.55 (2.7 mi, about 15 min). From the official San Francisco taxi tariff in force since 1 July 2025, checked 3 November 2026.

The taxi meter rates set by the SFMTA Board, with the SFO pick-up fee and the 150% rule for long trips out of town.

Verified
3 Nov 2026 by Alexander Gonzalez
Tariff from
1 July 2025

Fare calculator

Typical fare · metered $14.55 $13.90 in light traffic · $21.70 in heavy North Beach (Washington Square) → Caltrain, 4th and King · 2.7 mi · about 15 min

At night the fare is the same.

Full fare page for this trip: rush hour, night and weekend
Pick-up charge, Taxicab rate of fare, includes the first 0.2 mi San Francisco Taxicab Rates of Fare (updated 14 May 2025)
$4.15
Taxicab rate of fare: 2.41 mi, 4.9 min in slow traffic San Francisco Taxicab Rates of Fare (updated 14 May 2025)
$11.00
−$0.65
Meter steps of 0.65 (a started step counts) San Francisco Taxicab Rates of Fare (updated 14 May 2025)
$0.05
Total, typical traffic
$14.55
  • Pick-up charge, Taxicab rate of fare, includes the first 0.2 mi · $4.15
  • Taxicab rate of fare: 2.41 mi, 4.9 min in slow traffic · $11.00

See the route on the map

Paid something different for this trip? Tell us

North Beach (Washington Square) → Caltrain, 4th and King, Tue 10 Nov 12:00. We quoted $14.55.

We keep the trip, the amounts, your note and the receipt to check the tariff. No name or email is asked for.

  • The route is the quickest by road (OpenStreetMap data); journey times allow for the city's usual traffic.
  • Luggage that doesn't fit inside or in the closed trunk, per piece (up to): $1.00 may be added.
  • Cleaning fee, if the taxi is left unfit for passengers (up to): $150.00 may be added.

The short version

  • The meter starts at $4.15, which covers the first 1/5 mile, then adds $0.65 for each further 1/5 mile, about $3.25 per mile.
  • In slow traffic or waiting, it charges $39.00 per hour instead. The rate is the same day and night, every day.
  • Taxis picking up at SFO add a $6.00 fee. There's no fee for drop-offs at the airport.
  • Trips that run more than 15 miles beyond the city limits, or more than 15 miles from SFO without ending in the city, cost 150% of the meter.
  • There's no luggage surcharge, except up to $1.00 a piece for bags that don't fit inside or in the closed trunk. Bridge tolls are extra.

Tariffs and when they apply

TariffStartDistanceTime, slow trafficWhen
Taxicab rate of fare $4.15 $0.65 per 1/5 mile$3.25 per mile $0.65 per minute$39.00 per hour At all times

Below about 12 mph the meter charges by time instead of distance. It moves in $0.65 steps. The tariff in force when the trip starts runs for the whole trip.

Surcharges and extras

$6.00 SFO pick-up fee

Trips starting at San Francisco International Airport

50% Out-of-town trip, more than 15 miles beyond the city limits (150% of the meter)

Trips starting at City and County of San Francisco, ending outside Within 15 miles of the city limits

50% Trip from SFO of more than 15 miles, not ending in the city (150% of the meter)

Trips starting at San Francisco International Airport, ending outside Within 15 miles of SFO

Up to $1.00 Luggage that doesn't fit inside or in the closed trunk, per piece (up to)

May be added in situations we can't detect, so it isn't in quotes.

Up to $150.00 Cleaning fee, if the taxi is left unfit for passengers (up to)

May be added in situations we can't detect, so it isn't in quotes.

Airports

Airport trips use the meter. The extras that apply are listed under surcharges.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Popular trips

From San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 12

Union SquareFisherman's WharfFerry BuildingMoscone CenterSalesforce Transit CenterNob Hill (Grace Cathedral)Oracle ParkChase CenterCruise Terminal (Pier 27)The CastroThe Mission (24th Street)The Marina (Chestnut Street)

Within San Francisco 12

Union Square to Fisherman's WharfUnion Square to Golden Gate Bridge Welcome CenterUnion Square to Oracle ParkUnion Square to Haight-AshburyCaltrain, 4th and King to Union SquareCruise Terminal (Pier 27) to Union SquareFerry Building to Chase CenterMoscone Center to The CastroMoscone Center to Palace of Fine ArtsSalesforce Transit Center to The Mission (24th Street)Nob Hill (Grace Cathedral) to Chase CenterNorth Beach (Washington Square) to Caltrain, 4th and King

Zone map

San Francisco International Airport
  • San Francisco and SFO (taxi service area)
  • Airports
  • Your route

The same rate applies across San Francisco. Leaving the city, the meter keeps running at the normal rate up to about 15 miles beyond the city limits (Oakland, Berkeley, Sausalito, Burlingame); farther than that, the whole fare is 150%. From SFO the 15 miles count from the airport, so San Mateo and San Carlos are at the normal rate.

Example fares

Tuesday 12:00 · 2.3 mi, about 14 min

Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf

$14.55
  • $4.15Pick-up charge, Taxicab rate of fare, includes the first 0.2 mi
  • $10.44Taxicab rate of fare: 2.06 mi, 5.8 min in slow traffic
  • −$0.65Included in the pick-up charge
  • $0.61Meter steps of 0.65 (a started step counts)
Tuesday 12:00 · 14.4 mi, about 33 min

SFO to Union Square

$56.30
  • $4.15Pick-up charge, Taxicab rate of fare, includes the first 0.2 mi
  • $46.80Taxicab rate of fare: 14.40 mi
  • −$0.65Included in the pick-up charge
  • $0.00Meter steps of 0.65 (a started step counts)
  • $6.00SFO pick-up fee
Tuesday 12:00 · 4.5 mi, about 20 min

Ferry Building to the Castro

$19.75
  • $4.15Pick-up charge, Taxicab rate of fare, includes the first 0.2 mi
  • $15.84Taxicab rate of fare: 4.36 mi, 2.5 min in slow traffic
  • −$0.65Included in the pick-up charge
  • $0.41Meter steps of 0.65 (a started step counts)

Why was my fare higher?

You were picked up at SFOAirport pick-ups add $6.00.
You went far out of townMore than 15 miles beyond the city limits (or from SFO), the fare is 150% of the meter.
Traffic was slowBelow 12 mph the meter charges by time: $39.00 per hour.
You crossed a bridgeBridge tolls are paid by the passenger.
You had large luggageUp to $1.00 for each piece that doesn't fit in the cab or the closed trunk.

Tariff history

  1. SFO pick-up fee of $6.00, with meter rates unchanged since 17 November 2022: $4.15 for the first 1/5 mile, then $0.65 per 1/5 mile or minute of waiting.

    Verified

San Francisco taxi questions

Is there a flat fare from SFO to downtown San Francisco?

No. Taxis from SFO run on the meter, plus the airport pick-up fee. The SFO page lists the typical fare to each part of the city.

Do San Francisco taxis charge more at night?

No. The meter rate is the same at all hours and on holidays.

When does the 150% rate apply?

When a trip from San Francisco runs more than 15 miles beyond the city limits, or a trip from SFO runs more than 15 miles and doesn't end in the city. Palo Alto and San Jose are 150%; Oakland, Berkeley and Sausalito are not. For towns near the line, ask the driver before you go.

Can I pay by card?

Yes. San Francisco taxi drivers must accept major credit cards.

Sources

San Francisco Taxicab Rates of Fare (updated 14 May 2025) San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency · official · retrieved 1 Nov 2026

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