San Francisco Airport Guide (SFO)

San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, CA 94128, (650) 821-8211, www.flysfo.com

Getting to San Francisco Airport

How to get to San Francisco Airport depends on the trip you’re taking, how many are in the group, what luggage you have, and even your starting destination. The cost of different transportation methods also plays a part in any decision you make for your journey.

Getting to SFO is easy by car, where you just need to enter your destination and follow the directions given. If you’d prefer not to drive, there are local buses, airport shuttles, and rail links – both local and commuter lines.

Many say the best way to get to SFO is to drive because you have more options. You can control the journey times, and with offsite San Francisco Airport parking from Airport Parking Reservations you’ll get the cheapest prices for parking over your trip. Shuttle transfers also make it easy to get to and from the terminal.

Arriving at the airport

The flight you’ve booked will determine how early to arrive at SFO:

• Domestic travelers should arrive at the airport with at least two hours to spare before departure.
• International passengers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before take-off.

During peak times and holiday seasons, you will find more people in the airport. This could result in longer queues and wait times at various points. You should take this into account when planning your journey.

If you'll be flying with children help make your experience from pre-planning to departure stress-free, by reading our tips on navigating SFO Airport with kids.

SFO Airport Check-In

SFO check in desks and opening times vary by airline and departure time. For final San Francisco Airport check in times, confirm with your airline before traveling to the airport so you know where to be and when.

SFO curbside check in may be available from some airlines, and you should confirm with them directly to see if this is the case. SFO online check in is another, more convenient option that may be available.

San Francisco Airport Security Screening

Once checked in, head to SFO security screening to reach the departure lounge.

TSA wait times at SFO vary with how busy the airport is. Peak times of day, if departures are scheduled close together, and holiday seasons can all increase the number of people queueing at security. Plan ahead during these times to avoid getting caught out.

SFO TSA PreCheck is available to help you reduce waiting times and get through your security checks quickly.

Boarding & Connecting Flights at SFO

Every SFO boarding time and gate number can be seen on the departure boards and screens around the airport, so you’ll always be where you need to be at the right time. You can also use an online tracker to receive the latest SFO flight status while you’re in the terminal.

SFO terminal connections make it easy to reach your connecting flight, as each boarding area is linked in a loop. Follow the signs and ground staff to easily find your way.