Best shuttle ? Based on what criteria . Imho a good shuttle depends on the actual driver and the route taken based on who is going where. I would just come out of the airport and find the shuttle that is available and take that . They do go around and drop people all over the city and compared to that a cab is door to door. Sure a taxi is better than a shuttle.
There are other options As listed in our top questions right side of this page or via post 2 of the SF forums
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huntlawoffice
Bloomington, Indiana
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2. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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To me the best shuttle would be the one that left immediately after picking me up at the airport and made my hotel the first stop in the city. Unfortunately, you can't know that before it happens.
I do occasionally take a shuttle, but generally not when going to the downtown area of SF. For that I would prefer either BART or a BART/taxi hybrid.
Also, the number of people in your party can have an impact on the cost analysis and how much weight you give to cost versus convenience weighs into things too. Put 3 people in a shuttle and the difference between a cab & the shuttle is going to be pretty minimal, put 4 in and the shuttle could be more than a cab.
hlo
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atkinss411
Charlotte, North...
3. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Thanks so much for the quick reply. There will only be 2 of us. Was told taxi could be $95. but shuttle, like you said just depends on when you get dropped off. That would only be $15.
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huntlawoffice
Bloomington, Indiana
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4. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Where did you get the $95 figure? A shuttle company?
While I rarely (if ever and certainly not recently) take a cab from SFO and I'm too lazy to check the Top Questions, I'm going to guess that a cab to the Fairmont from SFO is going to be more in the $50 to $60 range. Similarly, it seems to me I hear shuttle costs put at more like $17 to $20/person.
I would guess that a shuttle for 2 would cost ~1/2 of the cost of a cab. Or, if you prefer, the cab would be about twice the cost of a shuttle. Regarding time, a shuttle will never be (significantly) faster than a cab as they're driving in the same traffic, but with a few laps around SFO picking up more passengers, a few stops dropping people off before getting to your hotel, etc, a shuttle could be significantly longer than a cab.
Have you investigated the BART/cab hybrid? You take BART to Embarcadero Station ($8.65/person, total for you $17.30) and then catch a cab at in front of the Hyatt (it *very* rare for there not to be a line of cabs there). Again, not up on SF cab fares, but I would guess you're talking in the $10-15 range; total cost probably something like $35, perhaps even with tip. You can find out more about it in the Top Questions.
hlo
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S P
Truckee, California
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5. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Have you seen this article in the top questions aboutSan Francisco (the left sidebar in the pc version of the site)
//www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60713-c194512/San-Francisco:California:From.Sfo.To.Fishermans.Wharf.html
It say a cab is about $60.00 plus tip, a Shuttle is about $34 plus tip. The Fairmont is a little closer than to SFO than FW, so a little cheaper
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simba_8
Pacifica, California
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6. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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I'd say the most used shuttles (the word "popular" doesn't seem appropriate) would be SuperShuttle and Lorries. If you do decide to take a shuttle, there's no need to reserve a pickup ahead of time. You can just walk out to the shuttle departure/pickup area and approach any available shuttle.
As you exit the terminal, a tout may intercept you and offer you a shuttle ride into SF for $50-$100. Just say no, or just say no and then kick them in the knuts. Then continue on to the shuttle areas.
Edited: 7 years agoReport inappropriate content
atkinss411
Charlotte, North...
7. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Thank you all for the help. I knew I could get the best info here. Another person traveling in our group called the hotel and was told $95 for the cab. Will check out the shuttle. Thanks!
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Troy B
Calgary
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8. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Taxifarefinder.com says $52 SFO toChinatown, which I believe is where the Fairmont is....
//www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=SF&from=San+Francisco+International+Airport+(SFO)&to=Chinatown
BTW - LOVE Simba_8's " Just say no.... " plan. LOL!
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Madeleine M
San Francisco
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9. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Taxifarefinder may or may not have the most current cab fares loaded (we found that a similar site never updated with the latest cab fare increases).
Cab fares also fluctuate if you're stuck in traffic -- which can certainly happen coming in from the airport any time after 2-3PM.
The GM at the Fairmont is cringing in disbelief that his hotel is being described as "inChinatown." Most certainly NOT. It is atop Nob HIll. Albeit a few blocks (but a lifetime away) from Chinatown.
It's been intimated many times here that I'm a snob but if one is staying at the Fairmont, does one need to arrive in a shuttle? Take a cab or a car service.
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Puter
Santa Cruz...
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10. Re: Best cost for shuttles from SFO to The Fairmont Hotel
7 years ago
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Agree.....
OR...if you want to schlep your luggage, save $20 or so and mess around, take BART tothe Embarcadero Station and catch a cab in front of the Hyatt Regency for $10 or so to the Fairmont.