San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO) is the main international airport of the San Francisco Bay Area in California.
San Francisco International Airport, or commonly called by its IATA identifier, SFO, sits between San Francisco and San Jose, roughly south of downtown San Francisco, and 35 miles northwest of San Jose, at the western side of San Francisco Bay. The airport was built in 1927, and adopted what is now a centralized terminal design 30 years later. While it results in an easy single access from the outside, it also means narrow terminals and walkways that can be congested during the busiest times and difficulty in redevelopment and expansions. To make matters worse, the frequent fog at the Bay Area can often delay flights, especially during the morning hours.
Within California, its passenger traffic is second only to Los Angeles, and it is also among top 10 busiest airports in the US and top 25 in the world, with more than 50 million passengers stopping by the airport annually. And thanks to the area's huge importance as a business, tech, and tourism hub, it is well connected both locally and internationally.
Flights to major US western cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, and Honolulu are among the most popular given its central location, with flights to the former departing at least half-hourly during peak times. Daily flights also link San Francisco to most airline hubs of the US legacy carriers using both twin and single-row aircrafts, especially to the east coast. Internationally, it is well connected to the neighboring countries of Canada & Mexico, Central America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, with a heavy focus on East Asian routes. Two of the top ten longest flights in the world originate from San Francisco: Singapore and Bengaluru.
The airport adopts the centralized terminal concept, with 4 terminals (3 domestic, 1 international) with 7 concourses in a circle surrounding parking and transportation facilities. Some domestic flights depart from the international terminal, and conversely, some international flights to Canada depart from the domestic terminals.
San Francisco is a major hub for both domestic and international flights to the United States. United Airlines operates a domestic hub out of Terminal 3, and an international hub out of the International Terminal, while Alaska Airlines operates a hub from both Terminal 2 and the International Terminal, with flights allocated to either terminal at random; check the flight information before you head to the airport for the correct terminal. Though it has a wide range of flights, it's well known for its weather delays.
Terminal 1
Officially named Harvey Milk Terminal 1, after the first openly gay elected official in California.
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Terminal 2
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Terminal 3
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International Terminal
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The two sets of parallel runways at SFO are spaced too closely together for simultaneous arrivals during periods of low visibility. While in clear weather, both runways in a particular direction can be used, low clouds (a not uncommon weather pattern in the Bay Area) will require that arrivals use only one of the two. Should this happen, air traffic control will delay inbound traffic either in the air or at your departure airport. If you are making connections at SFO or have time-sensitive business there, allow for extra time should your incoming flight be delayed.
International arrivals: All passengers arriving on international flights (except origins with US pre-clearance) will be processed through immigration. Passengers will then collect their baggage and pass customs. Those with onward flights, international and domestic, will proceed to check-in and security. Be prepared for at least a 30 minute wait. There is no international transit zone. Travellers terminating in San Francisco should follow signs for their desired ground transportation. If you have a connecting flight, and if your baggage has been tagged through to your next destination, follow the signs for "Connecting Flights" once you have collected your luggage from the carousel; there will be an area immediately after you clear customs where you can drop off your checked bags so you don't have to lug them all the way to the departure hall.
Domestic arrivals: Passengers arriving on domestic flights will arrive on the departure level inside security. Those in transit will not need to clear security again unless their next departure leaves from a different terminal that does not have a walkway between them. Travelers terminating in San Francisco exit and may proceed downstairs to baggage claim or ground transportation. The AirTrain and BART is available upstairs.
Passengers must check in with their airline at their respective terminal. Once you pass the security checkpoint, you generally cannot go to other concourses (some exceptions under § Get around). This limits your choice of food, drinks, and shopping. As the check-in areas are narrow and there is only one security checkpoint for every boarding area, expect long lines during busy travel times, which can easily extend your line to the boarding area up to one hour!
International travelers will not pass exit controls; however, airline staff will verify passport and applicable destination visa validity.
If you are flying on United Airlines, keep in mind that domestic flights leave from Terminal 3, while international flights leave from the International Terminal.
If you are staying in San Francisco or the East Bay, your most convenient option is likely BART. The platform is at International Terminal G. From there, you can get to any of the terminals using the AirTrain.
If you are going south towards San Jose, you can take the Caltrain rail line, but you first need to take BART one stop or SamTrans bus 292 to Millbrae Transit Center to transfer to Caltrain.
BART and Caltrain end service around midnight.
There are no trains from the airport to Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. To get there you'll need to take the Marin Airporter bus (see below), or transfer to a ferry or bus in San Francisco.
SamTrans provides bus service throughout San Mateo County and limited service to and from San Francisco. There are bus stops at Level 1 of both sides of the International Terminal, and Level 1 of Terminals 2 & 3.
One can pay SamTrans fares with cash (bills or coins) onboard a bus, or with a physical plastic or digital Clipper Transit Card on a smartphone or smartwatch (add Clipper card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay).
The Marin Airporter offers service every half hour to and from Marin County, operating from to . The Airport Express offers service every hour to and from Sonoma County, with similar hours of operation. The Santa Cruz Airport Flyer provides service to San Jose airport, Scotts Valley, and Santa Cruz. The Monterey Airbus provides service to San Jose airport and Monterey.
The main access to the airport is using Highway 101 from the north and south. If coming from downtown San Francisco, make sure to follow the signs and use the collector/distributor lanes, or you will miss the exit to the airport. For long term parking, exit at San Bruno Ave.
Surface street access is from North and South Macdonell Rd.
If you are picking up someone, you can wait at the Cellphone Parking Lot for free at San Bruno Ave, the same way to the long term parking space. If you need that extra time to drop off multiple people, you can use the Kiss n'Fly area at the Rental Car Center.
It is possible to book your spot online, and there are promotional fares from time to time.
Short term parking is possible adjacent to the terminal buildings for $2 per 15 minutes and $36 max per 24 hours. Cars over 6 foot 6 inches (1.98 meters) high can park at the International Garage. Long term parking at costs $2 per 15 minutes and $18 max per 24 hours, however it is quite far and requires a shuttle for access to the terminal building, although an AirTrain station is under construction. All are equipped with chargers for electric vehicles.
In a rare twist for airports, the terminal buildings are also accessible by bike from N and S Macdonell Rd. There are parking racks at the Rental Car Center, Westfield Parking Lot, both International garages, and the valet area of the Domestic Parking. While parking doesn't cost anything, you can only park them for a maximum of 24 hours; long-term parking for up to 14 days requires a registration at the on-guard security.
If you bring a bike with you on your flight, you can disassemble or assemble it at the International garages or the Rental Car parking lot. The Airport Travel Agency at the International Terminal also sells boxes for air transportation and assembling tools.
Pre-security all terminals are reachable on foot. The Rental Car Center and Long-Term Parking are not, and require the AirTrain.
The AirTrain system can get you around the airport. It is free and runs 24 hours.
After security (airside), Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and International Terminal G are connected by a walkway (be careful you don't accidentally walk out of security!). Otherwise you cannot move between terminals after security (Terminal 1 to 2 walkway is under construction). International terminals A and G are not connected post-security.
Luggage carts are free for international arrivals but require payment elsewhere, though there are sometimes a few of them left behind at the AirTrain stations that are up for grabs.
SFO has a wide variety of activities, installations and public art in the airport.
While there are no paid lounges, the airside is usually already comfortable enough for enjoying a good meal or waiting alone.
Air France - KLM Lounge, International Terminal A, near Gate A1, Level 4, Post-Security (immediately left after security). Daily 7:30AM–11:30PM. SkyTeam Alliance. Accepts passengers of the respective airlines, other SkyTeam alliance members, AeroMexico, Fiji Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, and Qatar Airways 2023-02-15
Alaska Airlines Lounge, Terminal 2, Retail Street, Level 2, Post-Security. Daily 5AM-11PM. oneworld Alliance 2023-02-15
American Airlines Admirals Club, Terminal 1 near Gate B13, Level 2, Post-Security. Daily 4:30AM-11:30PM. 2023-02-15
American Express - The Centurion Lounge, Terminal 3 near Gate F2, Level 2, Post-Security (far west end of the terminal). Daily 5AM-9PM. A lounge exclusive for American Express Platinum and Centurion card holders. 2023-02-15
British Airways Lounge, International Terminal A between Gates A5 and A9, Post-Security. Daily 5–11:30AM, 1:30–6:45PM. oneworld Alliance, For British Airways, EVA Air, and Korean Air passengers 2023-02-15
China Airlines Lounge, International Terminal A near Gate A1, Level 4, Post-Security. Daily 11AM–3PM, 7:30–11:30PM. SkyTeam Alliance. Lounge for passengers of China Airlines and Air France 2023-02-15
Delta Sky Club, Terminal 2 near Gate C3, Level 2, Post-Security. Su M 4:30AM–10:30PM, Tu–F 4:30AM–midnight, Sa 4:30AM–10:30PM. SkyTeam Alliance. Customers are welcome in the Delta Sky Club up to 3 hours before their flight. 2018-03-23
Emirates Lounge, International Terminal A between Gates A2 and A6, Level 3, Post-Security. Daily 12:45–4:45PM. 2023-02-15
Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge, International Terminal A, near Gate A1, Level 4, Post-Security. Su 10:40AM–1:10PM, M Tu 8:50AM–1:10PM, W 10:40AM–1:10PM, Th 8:50AM–1:10PM, F 10:40AM–1:10PM, Sa 8:50AM–1:10PM. oneworld Alliance 2023-02-15
United Lounges, all post-security. Star Alliance 2023-02-15
USO Lounge, Terminal 1 Mezzanine Level, Pre-Security. 7AM–8PM. Lounge for US Armed Forces members and their families. 2023-02-15
Virgin Atlantic Club House Lounge, International Terminal A, near Gate A1, Level 5, Post-Security (proceed through Security Checkpoint A and turn left). Daily 2–10PM. Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Condor. Dragon Pass members, American Express Platinum, Centurion Card, Capital One Venture X and walk-Ins are accepted. 2023-02-15
The only sit-down restaurants pre-security are at the International Terminal because of its large floor space.
Many of the food options in Terminal 2 include food stands with common seating.
There are very few shops at Terminal 1, plenty in other terminals.
Unlike most international airports where international passengers are shoved into a narrow and winding passage down the duty free zone before reaching their gates, they are small, divided, and not intrusive here, meaning that you can walk fast directly to your gate if you want to.
There are work stations at concourses in the International Terminal that you can use to work with your laptop or to charge your device. On the domestic terminals, there are spotty numbers of power sockets throughout the walls. There is also a machine that can charge your device twice as fast for a fee, with the exception of the International terminals.
Free Wi-Fi connectivity using #SFO FREE WIFI is available on all terminals & concourses. Lounges also offer their own hotspots and may offer faster speed.
COVID-19 testing for travel is available at SFO, including PCR tests with results within 3 hours. Book in advance.
Despite the small and spartan terminal, it is one of the most friendly airports in the United States, thanks to its wide range of amenities to help travelers, even with unique methods such as all gender restrooms and therapy dogs.
If you travel with infants, there is one nursery chamber can be found on each concourse except A gates, for G gates it is before the security. For access, call the courtesy phone next to its door. The newsagents and Airport Travel Agency also sells care items.
Sleeping at the airport is unfortunately not a good and comfortable option. At the baggage claim in the domestic terminals, there are padded benches, especially at Terminal 3; however watch out for homeless or intoxicated people that can disturb your snooze. Sleeping at airside would of course be safer, provided you have an onward boarding pass and go through security before they close for the night, however with the exception of a few couches at Terminal 2, the benches have unremovable armrests. The landside of the international terminal is quieter but brighter. An alternative would be to sleep at Freshen Up or the Reflection Room (see Cope), although the latter closes overnight.
There is one hotel within the airport grounds.
A lot of cheap lodging options can be found especially along El Camino Real at Millbrae, where there are also diverse places to eat, or along the waterfront for something premium. Many of these are also well served by shuttle services. Also look for accommodations in the cities surrounding the airport — Brisbane, Burlingame, San Bruno and South San Francisco
Accessible directly using the SFO route of the SamTrans bus or Red Line of the BART train.
Directly east of the airport with many hotels offering a splendid view of the airport tarmac, perfect for plane spotting.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division