Finding a cheap hotel in San Francisco that doesn't trade safety or transit access for a lower rate takes some filtering. Every property on this list falls within budget to mid-range pricing for San Francisco, holds a guest review score of 8.7 or higher, and connects you to Muni Metro or BART within a short walk. We ranked them by typical nightly rate, then by review score.
How we picked these cheap San Francisco hotels
San Francisco's hotel market runs expensive. A clean, safe room with transit access is at the mid-range of what most US lodging markets would call budget pricing, before the city's 14% hotel tax. Properties at the very low end of the price spectrum usually involve shared bathrooms or dormitory-style setups.
We filtered by four criteria, in order: typical nightly rate in the budget range, guest review score of 8.7 or higher, walkable distance to a Muni Metro or BART station, and a neighborhood with reasonable safety and walkability scores.
Amenities like rooftop bars and spas carry no weight here. What matters is whether you get a clean room, a safe block, and a transit stop close enough to reach without a rideshare.
We have a separate page for budget hotels with pools and for pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco if those filters matter to your trip.
Cheap San Francisco hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Review Score | Nearest Transit | Walk to Transit | Typical Rate Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor Hotel on Union Square | 3 | 8.7 | Union Square/Market Street (Muni T) | 4 min | Budget range |
| Cornell Hotel Union Square | 3 | 8.8 | Union Square/Market Street (Muni T) | 5 min | Budget range |
| Golden Gate Hotel | 3 | 9.2 | Union Square/Market Street (Muni T) | 6 min | Budget range |
| Timbri Hotel San Francisco, Curio Collection by Hilton | 4 | 8.8 | Powell St (BART) | 4 min | Budget range |
| Petite Auberge | 3 | 9.0 | Union Square/Market Street (Muni T) | 8 min | Budget range |
Pricing context for cheap hotels in San Francisco
San Francisco hotel rates shift more than most U.S. cities because the market responds to tech conferences, Fleet Week, Outside Lands, and Dreamforce in addition to standard summer tourism. Rates in June through September run at their peak, with October and November seeing a secondary spike around major conventions.
January and February offer the lowest rates of the year. You'll find the most availability and the best relative pricing during those months, though expect temperatures in the low 50s°F and frequent rain.
If your dates are flexible, check mid-week against the weekend. At the hotels on this list, Tuesday and Wednesday nights usually cost noticeably less.
Tips for booking cheap hotels in San Francisco
- Book January or February for the lowest rates of the year. Rates drop across all segments during these months.
- Factor in San Francisco's 14% hotel tax when comparing rates. A listed rate climbs noticeably after tax is applied.
- BART-accessible hotels near Powell St. or Civic Center give you a direct connection to SFO, cutting out rideshare costs on arrival and departure.
- Mid-week nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) run cheaper than weekends at most of the properties on this list.
- Book directly on the hotel's official website. Many San Francisco properties match third-party rates and add free cancellation or early check-in for direct bookings.
- Avoid booking during Dreamforce (September) and Outside Lands (August) unless you're attending. Rates spike across the entire city during those events.
The hotels
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
433 Powell St, San Francisco
8.76,774 reviews
4 min walk to Union Square/Market Street (Muni T)
View hotel →
Cornell Hotel Union Square
715 Bush Street, San Francisco
8.81,919 reviews
5 min walk to Union Square/Market Street (Muni T)
View hotel →
Golden Gate Hotel
775 Bush Street, San Francisco
9.21,055 reviews
Some rooms share a bathroom. The hotel's site labels which room types have a private one, so check before you book.6 min walk to Union Square/Market Street (Muni T)
View hotel →
Timbri Hotel San Francisco, Curio Collection by Hilton
970 Market Street, San Francisco, California, 94102, San Francisco
8.8229 reviews
Part of Hilton's LightStay sustainability tracking program, which monitors energy and water use at the property level.4 min walk to Powell St (BART/Muni Metro)
View hotel →
Petite Auberge
863 Bush Street, San Francisco
9.02,136 reviews
8 min walk to Union Square/Market Street (Muni T)
View hotel →
Things to do in San Francisco, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
All 68 San Francisco hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a cheap hotel in San Francisco?＋
Budget accommodations in San Francisco typically fall in the lower tier of the city's pricing spectrum for a private room with a private bathroom. Properties at the very low end usually involve shared bathrooms or dormitory-style setups. Factor in the city's 14% hotel tax when comparing rates, since a listed rate climbs noticeably after tax is applied.
Which neighborhoods have the cheapest hotels in San Francisco?＋
In our rate checks, the lowest prices for well-reviewed private rooms were at small 3-star hotels on the blocks just north of Union Square, along Powell and Bush Streets. The Tenderloin also has lower-priced options, though walkability and safety vary by block. Four of the five hotels on this list are on Powell or Bush Street. The fifth, the Timbri, is a 4-star hotel on Market Street near Powell St. station.
How do I get to cheap hotels in San Francisco from SFO without a rideshare?＋
BART runs directly from SFO to downtown San Francisco stations including Powell St. and Civic Center/UN Plaza. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs a fraction of a rideshare. The Timbri, the Chancellor and the Cornell are within an 8-minute walk of Powell St. BART. From the Golden Gate Hotel and Petite Auberge it's about 9 and 11 minutes.
When are San Francisco hotel rates at their lowest?＋
January and February offer the lowest rates of the year across all hotel segments in San Francisco. Rates climb through June and peak in September, with additional spikes in August during Outside Lands and September during Dreamforce. Mid-week nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) also run cheaper than weekends throughout the year.
Is it worth booking directly with the hotel instead of a third-party site?＋
For most of the properties on this list, booking directly on the hotel's official website gets you the same rate as third-party platforms, plus flexible cancellation terms. Some properties also offer early check-in or room upgrades for direct bookings. Check the hotel's own site before committing to a third-party rate.
Are cheap hotels in San Francisco safe?＋
In San Francisco, safety changes block by block. All five hotels on this list are on streets with reasonable foot traffic and proximity to transit. The Tenderloin and Mid-Market areas require more awareness than Union Square or the Embarcadero, but the specific addresses on this list are on well-traveled corridors. Check Google Street View for the immediate block before booking.
