Make it a trip · San Francisco, United States
What San Francisco costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Union Square and the Mission.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
ESTA travel authorisation Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Rose to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. Valid two years. Apply only on the official CBP site or app.
Sources: VisasNews, ESTA fee rise (2026-10), Buch dein Visum, ESTA fee (2026-10)
US$41 -
BART from SFO to Powell Street Fixed
About 30 minutes to downtown.
Source: Cities Insider, San Francisco ticketing 2026 (2026-04)
US$11.20 Book an airport pickup -
No visa or ESTA needed Fixed
For CA passports.
Canadian citizens visit visa free with a passport.
Source: Layla, US ESTA guide (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
Muni bus or train ride Fixed
Valid 120 minutes. Tap a Clipper card or contactless card.
Source: Cities Insider, San Francisco ticketing 2026 (2026-04)
US$2.90 -
Muni Visitor Passport, one day Fixed
Includes unlimited cable car rides, which cost $9 each otherwise. Three days cost $35.
Source: Cities Insider, San Francisco ticketing 2026 (2026-04)
US$15
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$23 -
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$109 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$6.30 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$8.30
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$2 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$3.30 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, San Francisco (2026-06)
US$3.30
Doing
-
Alcatraz day tour Fixed
Adult, ferry included. Book weeks ahead; it sells out.
Sources: Groupon, Alcatraz island guide (2026), The Bold Italic, Alcatraz day tour (2026-03)
US$48 Get tickets -
Cable car ride Fixed
Each ride, no transfers.
Source: Cities Insider, San Francisco ticketing 2026 (2026-04)
US$9 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 14 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 23 USD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, San Francisco hostels (2026-10)
US$31 to US$39 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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