Originally Posted by
Eastbay1K
I just cannot imagine Powell to O'Farrell being any real danger. (Yes, bad stuff can happen anywhere at anytime, I know.) I used to live on the fringe of the Tenderloin and there were several streets I'd avoid. Powell anywhere, and O'Farrell within a couple blocks of Union Square aren't even on the "possibly-avoid" radar. If you walk with a purpose and don't appear lost, you should be fine. The most annoying part of the trip you propose is the up-to-20 minute wait for BART and then $8+ for the trip.
I do agree with you there. That small strip is very safe. The problem for the OP is that once he/she emerges from the subway, he may be completely lost on Market street, walking the wrong way. If one knows where he is going, I agree with you. But if the OP were to get lost, dragging his big lugggage around Market street at night with a map in his hand asking people for directions makes him an easy target.
Originally Posted by
Seshman
Thank you for your quick responses. It generally sounds like a better idea to take the taxi from the airport. When it comes to safety, spending that extra bit is certainly no problem!!
The cabs are usually pretty good. They usually won't rip you off because they can't really. It's just north from the airport, and SF is a peninsula, so there is not much of a "circuitous route" that they can take. It's around $35, and with tip $40.
Another option could be to take SuperShuttle. They leave from the Departures level, and might turn out cheaper than a cab. I've used them a few times, and has turned out OK
This is a good option if you want to save money. But keep in mind, supershuttle is probably one of
the most painful experiences ever.
You've just finished a long plane ride, waited for your bags, found the shuttle stand, then you get on the shuttle and wait for it to be loaded. This can be up to 30 minutes. Then, you drive around San Francisco and elsewhere dropping people off, and you may not get to your destination until 3 hours later. It's $17 plus $3 tip, so $20, so yes, it's cheaper. But it's just crazy painful.
I once landed at the airport at 6:00pm, and I did not get to my destination until 10:00pm. After that, I swore I would never take super shuttle again.