Airport · SFO
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Phoebe — CC BY-SA 4.0
IATA
SFO
ICAO
KSFO
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Transport
Getting To & From San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is situated approximately 13 miles south of downtown. The most efficient public transit option is the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train system; the SFO BART station is located in the International Terminal (G Gates side) and reaches downtown San Francisco in roughly 30 minutes for a one-way fare of about $11 to $12 (this includes an airport surcharge). Taxis and app-based rideshares like Uber and Lyft are widely available, with designated pickup zones (such as Level 5 of the domestic parking garage for rideshares); fares to central San Francisco generally range from $30 to $65 depending on traffic and surge pricing.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
SFO operates four main terminals: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle domestic operations alongside select international flights, while the International Terminal is split into Boarding Areas A and G. All terminals are interconnected via post-security walkways as well as the complimentary, automated AirTrain system, which runs 24 hours a day and connects passengers to the terminals, parking garages, rental car center, and BART station. Inter-terminal transfers on foot typically take between 5 to 15 minutes.
Hours of Operation
SFO is officially open 24 hours a day, though non-ticketed visitors and access to certain landside-to-airside areas are restricted overnight. Security checkpoints close dynamically after the final departures of the evening.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Security Wait Times: Standard TSA security screening queues at SFO generally move efficiently, averaging 15 to 25 minutes, though peak morning and evening banks can cause waits to spike past 30 minutes.
- Recommended Arrival Windows: SFO advises arriving at least 2 hours prior to domestic departures and 3 hours prior to international flights.
- Connecting Time Buffer: If you are self-transferring or clearing U.S. Customs and Border Protection on an international-to-domestic connection, budget a minimum of 2 to 3 hours. Note that there is no direct airside route between International Boarding Areas A and G, so the walk runs through the other terminals. For a long layover it can be quicker to exit and clear security again.
- Overnight Amenities: If you face a long overnight layover landside, options are sparse once restaurants close. Paid day-use nap rooms and private shower suites are available at 'Freshen Up!' in the International Terminal Main Hall.
Comfort
Lounges
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) features a comprehensive tier of airline clubs and independent options distributed across its domestic and international facilities. In Harvey Milk Terminal 1, travelers have access to The Club SFO (a prominent Priority Pass and premium partner location highlighting regional design and wellness amenities) alongside the Alaska Lounge, American Admirals Club, and Delta Sky Club near Gate C3. Terminal 2 anchors the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and a temporary Centurion Lounge near Gate D12. International Terminal A hosts multiple alliance and independent spaces, including the British Airways Club Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, China Airlines Dynasty Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, and the Golden Gate Lounge. International Terminal G is defined by the ultra-exclusive flagship United Polaris Lounge alongside a standard United Club. SFO connects its terminals post-security by walkways, so connecting passengers rarely need to clear TSA twice. There is no direct airside route between International Boarding Areas A and G, so allow extra time for that walk.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
SFO provides complimentary, high-speed wireless internet access across all terminals without arbitrary time limits or paywalls. Independent network testing benchmarks have repeatedly ranked SFO's airport Wi-Fi infrastructure among the absolute fastest globally, maintaining exceptional download and upload throughput even during peak passenger hours. Device charging infrastructure is robustly distributed throughout the gate seating zones, featuring hundreds of integrated AC and USB power points embedded within modern workstations, custom seating clusters, and designated power bars across Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
Moving far beyond standard fast-food fare, SFO's culinary program mirrors the diverse, farm-to-table identity of the broader Bay Area culinary scene. Harvey Milk Terminal 1 features popular local concepts such as Bun Mee for Vietnamese banh mi and Mama Go's Filipino Cuisine. Terminal 2 showcases destination spots like Little Skillet for fried chicken alongside the iconic Napa Farms Market, which serves artisan cheeses, local coffee, and fresh wood-fired pizza. In International Terminal G, Napa Farms Market maintains another cult-favorite outpost well-regarded for fresh gourmet sandwiches and artisan pastries. Across all terminals, travelers will find abundant options ranging from third-wave espresso kiosks like Ritual Coffee to sit-down regional grills.
Driving In
Parking
SFO provides structured on-site parking options split between domestic and international terminal footprints alongside an economy alternative. The Domestic Parking Garage and International Garages (A and G) charge a drive-up rate scaled at $2 per 15 minutes up to a standard maximum of about $37 to $39 per 24-hour period. Premium options like ParkFAST inside the domestic garage run approximately $40 to $60 daily. For budget-conscious travelers, the Long-Term Parking Garage and Surface Lot offers an economical rate structure capped around $27 per day, with direct connectivity to all terminals via the 24-hour automated AirTrain Blue Line. SFO also maintains an online reservation platform that frequently discounts these drive-up rates when booked ahead.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
Travelers seeking accommodations directly integrated with the airport property can utilize the luxury Grand Hyatt at SFO, which is situated on airport grounds and connected seamlessly to every terminal via the AirTrain system. For properties located just outside the perimeter that offer dedicated shuttle transit or short rides, prominent choices include the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport (noted for its 24-hour airport shuttle service), the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront, and the Aloft San Francisco Airport.
Sources: San Francisco International Airport Official Website, BART Airport Connections, SFO Official Airport Lounges Directory, Priority Pass SFO Lounge Network, SFO Official Wi-Fi and Global Ranking Press Release, SFO Official Parking and AirTrain Guide