Airport · SFO
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
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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 an estimated one-way fare of $10 to $11. 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 walking between certain distant concourses (such as Terminal 1/A gates and Terminal 3/G gates) may require re-clearing security checkpoints if done airside without a direct airside connector path.
- 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.
Sources: San Francisco International Airport Official Website, BART Airport Connections