San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the busiest airports in the United States with more than 50 million passengers per year. The city is situated on the San Francisco Peninsula, which is about 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, thus giving you the best of both worlds: easy airport access and a short drive into one of the world’s most iconic cities. There are several great hotels in the vicinity, located in Millbrae, Burlingame, San Bruno and South San Francisco, all within 5 miles of the area.
Why Stay Near SFO Airport ?
For many travellers, it is convenient and economical to stay near SFO. Rates are always competitive with the downtown San Francisco hotels, and sometimes even 40-60 percent cheaper, and still rooms that are comfortable and well-appointed. Many properties will provide a free shuttle service from the airport that departs every 20-30 minutes throughout the day and night, which is a much better option than booking an expensive taxi or ride-share. There are even some that are directly linked to the SFO AirTrain, which circles the entire airport campus.
In addition to convenience, the SFO area provides easy access to Silicon Valley to the south, the lovely San Francisco Bay shoreline and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations that will take you directly to the heart of San Francisco in approximately 30 minutes. For those who want to be close to the city but not pay city prices, for example, the Dylan Hotel is a three-minute walk from the Millbrae BART/Caltrain station.
Top Hotels Near SFO Airport
San Francisco International Airport is the best place to stay near the airport, and this list of the top hotel reviews and locations near San Francisco International Airport offers you a variety of luxury, mid-range and budget hotels.
Grand Hyatt at SFO
The Grand Hyatt, which has 351 rooms with soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows facing San Francisco Bay, is the only hotel directly connected to the SFO AirTrain. The multi-cultural restaurant Quail + Crane, the bar on-site and the easy access to the terminals are all without leaving the building.
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
The indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center and the Flights View Lounge, a favorite for plane spotting, are all part of the amenities at the Marriott Waterfront. There is a free shuttle to the airport terminals available on a regular basis.
Hyatt Regency
A LEED Gold–certified property in Burlingame, the Hyatt Regency features nearly 800 rooms, a 24-hour business center, and multiple large meeting spaces — making it the top choice for corporate travellers. Located five minutes from SFO with free shuttle service and convenient freeway access to Silicon Valley.
The Westin San Francisco Airport
The Westin is distinguished by its cutting-edge fitness center, heated indoor salt water pool and free bike rentals, all representative of the active lifestyle of California. The rooms are serene and sparsely decorated with a view of San Francisco Bay and a free shuttle service operates every 20 minutes to the terminals.
The Dylan Hotel
With only 58 rooms, The Dylan is a family-owned boutique hotel that provides a personal touch that is hard to find in chain hotels. All rooms have pillow-top beds and feather duvet comforters. It is located 3 minutes walking distance from the Millbrae BART/Caltrain station and has on-site parking.
Villa Montes Hotel
Located in the heart of historic downtown San Bruno, Villa Montes provides free daily breakfast, laundry facilities, and a cozy boutique feel. One of the rare SFO-area hotels where visitors feel like they are in the neighborhood, not stuck in an airport corridor.
Hilton Garden Inn Airport North
The 170-room three-star Hilton features consistent quality, friendly service and a convenient location to the north of the airport. A good option for those who want the Hilton experience for a much lower price.
Sonesta ES Suites San Bruno
Sonesta ES Suites is perfect for longer stays, offering fully equipped kitchens, free parking, an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi. It’s one of the most space-efficient suites close to SFO, especially for families or groups of people travelling together.
Choosing Your Neighbourhood
The SFO hotel zone is divided into four major communities that have different characteristics. South San Francisco will get you to the airport terminals the quickest, and is best for early or late flights. The most transit-accessible neighbourhood is Millbrae, which connects you to downtown San Francisco via the BART/Caltrain station and to the Peninsula.
The Hyatt Regency is in Burlingame, which boasts a cute downtown filled with independent restaurants and cafes, a pleasant alternative to hotel dining. Slightly inland, San Bruno offers the lowest prices and is home to a few boutique and extended-stay hotels.
What to Expect on Price
Hotel prices at SFO fluctuate significantly depending on the day of the week, season and events in the Bay Area. These luxury hotels, such as the Grand Hyatt at SFO and the Marriott Waterfront, generally cost $200 to $400 per night. The boutique hotel options, from The Dylan to Villa Montes to Bay Landing, typically range in price from $120 to $220. Affordable homes like Sonesta ES Suites and La Quinta range from approximately $80 to $140 a night. The price goes up substantially during periods of high demand like Dreamforce (Salesforce’s annual conference in September), major technology events and summer holiday weekends. The best time to book is 2-3 months ahead and to be flexible with your dates.
Conclusion
Whether you’re the business traveler who wants to stay overnight before your next flight or the tourist who wants to stay on budget to explore the Bay Area, San Francisco airport hotels are for you. From the unrivaled convenience of the Grand Hyatt at SFO to the waterfront luxury of the Marriott or the intimate feel of a boutique hotel such as The Dylan, there are plenty of comfortable and convenient places to stay that are also well connected. SFO’s hotel corridor is one of the best places to stay in the Bay Area, thanks to its excellent transit connections (BART), shuttle service from most hotels, and significantly lower prices than downtown San Francisco.
FAQs
The Grand Hyatt at SFO is the best hotel, it’s right next to the airport with the AirTrain service so you don’t have to walk from the airport. Ideal for late pick-ups or early drop-offs.
Yes, most do. The Westin, Marriott Waterfront, Hyatt Regency and Bay Landing Hotel offer free shuttle services. Check for 24-hour availability when booking.
Absolutely. BART goes from SFO station and Millbrae station directly downtown to SF in about 30 minutes. The closest hotels to the Millbrae BART/Caltrain stop are the most convenient for accessing the city.
The most affordable properties are Sonesta ES Suites in San Bruno (around $80 – $100 per night) and La Quinta Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport West (also offering free parking and internet access).
Try to avoid the big tech events (such as Salesforce Dreamforce in September), the summer holiday weekend, and Thanksgiving week, as these are when prices tend to rise. The best time to shop for rates is January through March.