From the airport to the city centre San Francisco

Shuttle service. You can book a transfer service with a driver who will be waiting for you on arrival with a sign bearing your name. You can book this service on www.welcomepickups.com

Bart. The most classic way to get from the airport to San Francisco is to use the Bart, the local subway. It takes just under half an hour to get downtown, and costs less than US$9. You can buy a card from the cash dispenser at the entrance and add credit to it.

Bus. This is the cheapest service. Routes 292, 397 and KX connect San Francisco Airport with Transbay Terminal, downtown. Fares range from US$3 to US$4. You'll need change to pay (bills, coins).

Cabs. The fare from the airport to downtown is around US$50, with a VTC, Uber or Lyft costing around US$40.

Private shuttle. These cost an average of US$17 per person per trip, US$10 for 2 people or more, and must be booked in advance.

Arrival by train San Francisco

Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) operates a huge rail network across the country. Trains are rarely the fastest, cheapest or most convenient option, but they do offer a scenic and comfortable way to travel. Amtrak operates several major lines from east to west and north to south. It connects the country's largest cities and many smaller towns.

Amtrak offers packages including train tickets, car rental, hotel reservations, excursions and sightseeing. In general, the earlier you book, the less you pay. The USA-Rail package allows you to make an unlimited number of trips in a given region for a given duration.

We get off at South San Francisco. The station is on the east side of Highway 101 under East Grand Avenue. Downtown South San Francisco is on the other side of the highway.

Arrival by boat San Francisco

San Francisco has an extensive ferry network, allowing you to reach other cities in the Bay Area while avoiding traffic jams and the cost of gas. And what could be more magical than a trip on the water?

Most departures are from the Ferry Building on the Piers, and the trips are fairly quick. To the east, you can reach Oakland and Alameda in less than 35 minutes, passing under the Bay Bridge and close to the commercial port with its impressive industrial cranes. To the north, you pass Alcatraz and reach Sausalito (25 minutes), Tiburon (30 minutes) and Angel Island (50 minutes). And keep your eyes peeled - it's not uncommon to spot dolphins in the bay's waters!

Public transport San Francisco

Public transport around major conurbations is rarely practical for travelers, and poorly serves outlying towns and suburbs. In the United States, the all-car approach has taken its toll on suburban transportation. The city does, however, offer a good bus network. These are designed for commuters, and service is limited in the evenings and at weekends. Line 49, which runs along Van Ness Avenue and Mission Street, stopping at BART Road, is very convenient from 5 a.m. to midnight and has good service. Light rail lines converge on Market Street and terminate at Embarcadero. The cable car provides access to the hilltops. There are three lines: Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason run from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, and a third runs along California Street. San Francisco's public transportation system is managed by Muni: www.sfmta.com.

Here's some advice. To find your way around, Google Maps offers fairly efficient real-time public transport itineraries. Don't forget to top up your MUNI card (purchase US$3 or on your smartphone), the beeped ticket costs less (US$2.50) than directly on the bus. If you don't have a card, have coins and banknotes ready to top up (US$3).

Bike, scooters & co San Francisco

It's possible to get around the city using Spin or Lime electric scooters, simply by downloading the app on your smartphone and flashing the vehicle code to get started. You can park your scooter anywhere, as long as you don't block traffic. Be careful, though: the scooter stops by itself if you try to cross Golden Gate Park.

With a driver San Francisco

Cabs operate in the busiest areas of major cities. They are equipped with meters and charge $5.00 for pick-up, then $3.95 per mile, and $0.65 per minute of waiting or traffic. Don't forget to add an extra charge for luggage and a tip (15-20% of the fare).

VTC. In San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Uber and Lyft, both born in the Bay Area, dominate with attractive rates quoted in advance of the trip. To be used via their respective smartphone applications.

By car San Francisco

For a stay of less than three months: a French driver's license valid for more than one year is valid in all states. For California, it's best to get an international license before you leave. You must be at least 21 years old (in some cases 25) to rent a car in the United States. As soon as your stay exceeds three months, your French driver's license is no longer sufficient, and you'll need to take your state driver's license. As federal laws differ, it's best to contact the French consulates of the states concerned.

Renting a car is undoubtedly the ideal solution for two or more people. It's the most flexible way to visit the United States. Autonomous, the traveler can get off the beaten track and reach points not served by public transport. Rental rates are generally lower than in Europe, toll roads are rare (although a few toll bridges around San Francisco are quite expensive) and fuel is cheaper than in France.

At the Golden Gate Bridge, all tolls are collected electronically - in the southbound direction, towards San Francisco - without stopping at the toll booth. There are four ways to pay: a FasTrak account, a license plate account, a one-time payment and a toll invoice. Tolls can be paid by credit card, cash, check or money order, and can be paid online, by phone or in person. With a FasTrak account, a vehicle-mounted badge is automatically read. Otherwise, cameras are placed in each toll lane to record front and rear license plates as the vehicle passes. If nothing has been configured, a toll invoice will be issued and sent to the vehicle owner.

Accessibility San Francisco

The United States is one of the best-equipped countries in the world to accommodate people with disabilities. TheAmericans with Disabilities Act requires all public places, including transportation, to be wheelchair accessible. All major airlines, Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains offer assistance for the disabled. Several car rental agencies (e.g. Avis) offer pedal-less cars at no extra cost, which can be booked in advance. The Access-Able Travel Source website (www.access-able.com) offers a comprehensive range of links.