San Francisco Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

Certainly one of the most beloved tourist cities in the world, everyone should try to visit San Francisco at least once in their life. Parts of the city feel almost like an amusement park, but there’s more to it than that.

San Francisco City Featured Image

Travel Costs to San Francisco

Population 800,000
Area 4,200,000
Timezone UTC-8
Currency US dollar
Airports San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Jose International Airport (SJC)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$119.3
1 USD = 1 USD
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in San Francisco

San Francisco Hotel Seasons

San Francisco Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar55.00 - 110.00
starstarstarstarstar92.00 - 315.00
starstarstarstarstar180.00 - 350.00
starstarstarstarstar295.00 - 415.00
starstarstarstarstar560.00 - 720.00

San Francisco Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed41.00 - 45.00

San Francisco Attractions Prices

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Coit TowerThis historic tower offers the best views of the city from the top. There's an elevator, plus various exhibitions.
adults
ages 65+
ages 5-11
10.00
7.00
3.00
Alcatraz Island & cruiseThis former prison out in the harbor is one of the city's top sights for first-timers. Night tours are more expensive.
adults
ages 62+
ages 5-11
53.00
50.00
35.00
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! OdditoriumThis museum chain has long had a location at Fisherman's Wharf. This admission also includes access to Madame Tussauds.
adults
45.00
SF Museum of Modern ArtBuy tickets online to reserve a time to visit.
adults
senior
30.00
25.00

San Francisco Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastMost hostels include free breakfast, but few hotels do. Fast food options are cheapest otherwise.7.00 - 10.00
Budget lunchThere's plenty of reasonable casual dining, even in the touristy areas, plus some interesting ethnic fast food.8.00 - 13.00
Budget dinnerAssuming you want a sit-down meal, the city can be expensive unless you know where to go.13.00 - 20.00
Beer (pint)Domestic brews can be reasonable, but imports are pricey.6.00 - 9.00
Cocktails (glass)If you avoid nightclubs and hotel bars, cocktails are usually not outrageous.7.00 - 12.00
Beer (retail can)Even though bars are fairly expensive, buying beer in local markets can be cheap.2.00 - 2.00

San Francisco Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from SFO airport to city center40.00 - 60.00
Suburban rail from SFO to city center9.00
Cable car ride8.00
3km taxi ride in San Francisco11.00 - 15.00
Public transit ride in San Francisco2.00 - 3.00

Getting around San Francisco

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When to visit San Francisco

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January58464.7
February61494.2
March63493.4
April65501.3
May65510.5
June68530.1
July68540.0
August69560.1
September71560.3
October70551.2
November64513.3
December59473.2

San Francisco Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar7:12am7:23pm
21 Jun5:48am8:35pm
21 Sep6:57am7:08pm
21 Dec7:21am5:54pm

Where to go before and after