Travel & Visas
Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the preferred airport for visiting San Francisco. It’s phenomenally well-connected to dozens of domestic and international cities, and is one of the cleanest, safest, and most unique airports in the world.
For more information about San Francisco International, we invite you to visit the website at www.flysfo.com
Travel to the city
Multiple options are available for travel into San Francisco from the airport, including trains, taxi or bus.
For more information about the various transportation options, we invite you to visit the San Francisco International website here.
Car Rental
Cars can be rented in San Francisco from local or international companies. The average cost per day for a rental car is USD $70.
All cars are left-hand drive.
Getting Around San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most accessible cities in the world to get around. Because it’s only 49 square miles and has three of the most reliable transportation systems on the West Coast, plenty of easy and convenient transportation options abound.
The city’s Muni system includes buses, metro trains, historic cable cars, and streetcars, all of which are accessible and affordable. For a more scenic experience, you can ride one of the iconic cable cars or hop on the F-line streetcar that runs along Market Street. If you prefer a quicker, more flexible option, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are widely available, or you can use the Bay Wheels bike share program or rent a scooter for short trips. For those exploring beyond the city, ferries offer a picturesque way to visit nearby destinations like Sausalito and Tiburon. Additionally, the PresidiGo Shuttle provides free transportation around the Presidio, and rental cars are available for longer excursions, though parking can be challenging.
For more information on how to get around San Francisco, click here.
Visa Information
Entry requirements
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to travel to the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa. Visas are placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. Find out if you need a visa to enter the United States here. More information about visitor visas and traveling to the U.S. can be found here.
Letter of Invitation for Visa Purposes
An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the CogSci 2025 Conference can be requested after submitting to the PCS account to avoid long wait times. Please contact the Conference Secretariat to request an official Letter of Invitation.
You may be asked for proof that you are attending a meeting or convention and it may be useful to have a copy of the meeting agenda and/or registration on hand. This may also be useful when returning to the U.S. should a similar question be asked.
Submission of Applications
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. Please visit the Visa Wizard to find out what visa type is appropriate for you.
Processing times for visa applications vary depending on the visa office and the time of the year. Participants are encouraged to apply approximately 12 weeks in advance of their departure date to ensure they receive the visa in time.
The Cognitive Science Society is pleased to announce the establishment of the CogSci Grove which aims to mobilise cognitive scientists to offset carbon emissions associated with their professional activities.