Search Flights from San Francisco to Leipzig/Halle

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Leipzig is the largest city in the German state of Saxony. It is also the most industrially advanced city in the region. Another city in the state of Saxony is Halle, which is much smaller compared to Leipzig. Both cities share a common airport. Those traveling to these cities fly into the Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Leipzig, like most German cities, is very convenient to explore by bike. Leipzig is surrounded by beautiful rivers and canals and there are designated bike paths in almost every part of the city. There are a variety of public transportation alternatives in the city. The tram provides access to almost every part of Leipzig. In addition, there are train and bus routes that provide transportation to almost every part of the city. The LVB (Leipzig Transport Company) runs the public transportation network in the city.

You can buy tickets for public transportation vehicles from the company’s private offices. With one ticket you can travel within the city, including zone 110, for one hour and transfer between vehicles as much as you want. You can also purchase tickets from ticket machines located in many stations, and coin-operated ticket machines located in the trams, news stands, convenience stores, or stationary stores. You can also purchase a Leipzig Card at an LVB office or the Tourist Information in Leipzig. If you plan to use public transportation frequently in the city then these cards will be more affordable. The Leipzig Card even offers special discounts on guided tours of the city and discounts on admission to museums and cultural events. There are a variety of card types you can purchase, ranging from 1-day tickets to 3-day tickets, and 3-day group tickets. If you don’t want to use public transportation in the city then you can take a taxi or rent a car to get around Leipzig. The most preferred public transportation system in Halle is the tram. The Halle (Saale) Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station located in the city center. This station operates both inter-city trains and regional trains.

You can purchase a ticket to use on the public transportation system in Halle from the red ticket machines located in most stations. There are different ticket types available; you can purchase a single-use ticket, a ticket that is valid for 4 1-hour trips, or a one-week unlimited use ticket.

Transportation to Leipzig from the airport

There are many ways to get to the Leipzig city center from the airport. The airport provides special shuttle services that you can take advantage of. Other transportation alternatives include public transportation, such as the train or bus, or taxis, and rental cars.

Shuttle

The airport shuttle services provided by Leipzig/Halle Airport are the most comfortable method of transportation to get to your destination in the city after you land. These shuttles have the capacity to accommodate a maximum of 8 people and provide door-to-door transportation. This service offers a stress-free way to get to the city, departing soon after you land. To book the airport shuttle service you need to make a reservation at least one week before your flight.  

Train (S-Bahn)

Trains depart from the train station located right next to the airport and provide transportation to the central railway station, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. There are two lines that run from the airport to the city. The Intercity (IC) line runs every 20-30 minutes. The inter-city train lines S5 and S5x run every 30 minutes and pass through the Leipzig Messe Train Station. The S5 or S5x trains are more affordable than the IC trains.

The S-Bahn train runs north to south in Leipzig, passing through the city center and stopping at the main train station, Bayerischer Train Station, and underground stations in Markt and Wilhelm-Leuschner Platz.

These trains also provide transportation to other parts of the city such as Connewitz, Stötteritz, Thekla and Miltitzer Allee.  

Bus

Buses are another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. Buses run every 30 minutes and take approximately 30 minutes to get to the city center. There over 30 bus lines that operate throughout the city. Keep in mind that bus fares are more expensive when compared to the train. Most buses operate from 5:30 am to midnight.

The night bus, Nachtbus, begins operating after midnight. There are 10 night buses that operate throughout the city; these buses are appropriately named, from N1 to N10. These buses provide transportation between the city center and remote areas of the city. The majority of these buses overlap with certain sections of the main tram network.

Tram

Unfortunately there is no direct access to the airport by tram. However, the tram is frequently used for urban transportation. The tram provides access to many central parts of the city. There are many trams that operate throughout the day, running every 30 minutes and even more frequently during peak hours. After midnight the tram runs every hour. The tram fare is cheaper when compared to trains.

After 8 pm passengers must enter the vehicle through the front door and show the driver their ticket. There are a total of 13 tram lines that operate throughout the city.

The tram network is shaped like a star with a circle in the middle. The tram network runs from the outskirts of the city into the city center.

Rental Car

There are various rental car companies located at the airport. You can rent a car once you land or book a vehicle in advance by making a reservation online. However, keep in mind that there is heavy traffic in the city and access to parts of the city by car is limited. Therefore we wouldn’t recommend renting a car because it isn’t the best way to get around in the city.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center. Taxis are readily available in front of Terminal B. However taxi fares are quite expensive and a taxi to the city center takes about as long as the train does. 

Transportation to Halle from the airport

One of the most practical transportation alternatives to get to Halle from the airport is by train. Another practical option is to utilize the shuttle services provided by the airport. You can also get to the city by taxi or rental car.

Shuttle

Just like in Leipzig, there are special shuttle services organized by the airport that provide door-to-door transportation. These vehicles have a maximum passenger capacity of 8 people. To use this service you need to make a reservation at least one week before your flight.

Train (S-Bahn)

After you land you can access the train by following the signs that read “Airport Central Train Station”. Trains run about every 30 minutes and get to the city center in approximately 11 minutes. You can purchase tickets for the train at the station.

The train is referred to as the S-Bahn. The S7 line provides transportation between the following stations: Halle-Nietleben, Halle-Neustadt, Halle Zscherbener Straße, Halle Südstadt, Halle-Silberhöhe, Halle Rosengarten, and Halle (Saale) Hauptbahnhof.

Bus

Buses also have an important role in urban transportation in the city. In fact there are inter-city buses you can take to travel to neighboring cities, especially from Halle to Leipzig. If you are planning on going to a city near Halle then consider taking the bus.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the city. There are various rental car companies located at the airport. You can also book your vehicle in advance by making a reservation online.

Taxi

Taxis are a comfortable transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. You can find taxis waiting outside of Terminal B.