San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — Bay Area’s Global Gateway
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport of the Bay Area and one of the top airports in the United States, handling over 50 million passengers annually with direct service to 200+ destinations worldwide. Located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco — accessible by BART in just 30 minutes for $9.65 — SFO serves as the main hub for United Airlines and a key base for Alaska Airlines.
SFO has four terminals: Terminal 1 (Southwest/domestic), Terminal 2 (American/Delta, eco-design), Terminal 3 (United hub), and the International Terminal (all global airlines, Global Entry, duty-free, luxury shopping). Originally opened in 1931 as Mills Field Municipal Airport, SFO has grown into a globally significant aviation hub known for art installations, sustainability (LEED certified), and as a key Pacific gateway connecting the US to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| IATA Code | SFO |
| Location | San Mateo County, California · 13 miles south of Downtown SF |
| Terminals | Terminal 1 · Terminal 2 · Terminal 3 · International Terminal |
| Primary Hub For | United Airlines · Also major base for Alaska Airlines |
| Annual Passengers | 50+ million |
| Destinations | 200+ worldwide |
| BART Connection | International Terminal BART station → Downtown SF (30 min, $9.65) |
| Sustainability | LEED certified · First US airport with large solar panels · Zero-waste initiative |
| Official Website | flysfo.com ↗ |
San Francisco Airport Terminals — T1, T2, T3 & International
SFO has 4 terminals arranged in a loop, connected by the AirTrain (free, frequent) and walking connections. The International Terminal is the most important for global travelers — housing the BART station, Global Entry kiosks, all international airlines, luxury duty-free, and premium lounges.
| Terminal | Airlines | Flight Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Southwest, American, Spirit | Domestic | Delta Sky Club · Ghirardelli · SF Soup Co. · Modernization underway |
| Terminal 2 | American, Delta, Virgin America | Domestic + some intl | Admirals Club · LEED eco-design · Samovar Tea Lounge · Yankee Pier |
| Terminal 3 | United Airlines (hub), JetBlue | Domestic + International | United Club · Centurion Lounge · Lark Creek Grill · Peet’s Coffee |
| International Terminal | BA, Lufthansa, Singapore, Emirates, JAL, Korean Air, Air Canada + more | All International | BART station · Global Entry · Duty-Free · Gucci/LV/Chanel · Premium lounges |
Airlines & Destinations at SFO — 200+ Routes
SFO is United Airlines’ largest hub on the US West Coast with the most nonstop routes. The airport is one of the top US gateways to Asia (Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore), with Lufthansa, BA, and Emirates serving Europe and Middle East. Alaska Airlines has a growing domestic presence.
🇺🇸 Domestic Airlines
🌎 International Airlines (Intl Terminal)
📈 Top Routes from SFO
San Francisco Airport Arrivals & Departures Guide
⬇ SFO Arrivals
⬆ SFO Departures
📱 Flight Status at SFO
Track flights at flysfo.com ↗, airline apps, or FlightAware. SFO Mobile App (iOS/Android) provides push notifications for gate changes, delays, and cancellations. Digital FIDS screens throughout all terminals updated in real time.
Getting To & From San Francisco Airport — All Options 2026
BART is the standout transport choice for SFO — direct from the International Terminal to Downtown San Francisco (Powell Street) in 30 minutes for $9.65. Bypasses Bay Area highway traffic completely. Access BART in the International Terminal via the AirTrain or walk directly from arrivals.
🚈 BART — Best Option
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station in the International Terminal. Direct to Powell Street, Downtown SF in ~30 minutes. Also serves Oakland, Berkeley, and other Bay Area cities. Trains every 15–20 minutes. Ample luggage space. Pay by Clipper Card or ticket machine. Best option for solo travelers heading to downtown hotels.
🚉 Taxi / Uber / Lyft
Taxis available 24/7 at designated stands outside each terminal. Uber/Lyft pickup at marked rideshare zones. Downtown SF: $40–$60 · Oakland: $35–$55 · San Jose: $60–$90. Subject to Bay Area traffic and surge pricing. Good for families with luggage or late-night arrivals.
🚌 Shared Shuttle
SuperShuttle and other companies offer shared rides to Bay Area hotels and residences. Lower cost than private taxi. Book in advance or at shuttle desks outside terminals. Good for hotels not near BART stations. Also serves Oakland, San Jose, and Silicon Valley.
🚈 Car Rental at SFO
Rental Car Center (RCF) connected via 5-minute AirTrain + shuttle. Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, National, Dollar, Thrifty. 24/7 operation. Ideal for exploring the Bay Area, Wine Country, Big Sur, Silicon Valley, or Yosemite. Book in advance during summer and holidays.
🚌 Public Buses
SamTrans buses serve SFO with routes to local Bay Area communities. Limited to certain areas — BART is far superior for most destinations. Best for travelers heading to San Mateo, Millbrae, or specific South Bay locations.
🏠 Hotel Shuttles
Grand Hyatt, Aloft, Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Westin, Holiday Inn all offer free 24/7 shuttles. Board at designated hotel shuttle zones outside baggage claim. Confirm schedule with hotel — typically every 15–30 minutes.
| Transport | Cost | Time to Downtown SF | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BART | $9.65 one-way | 30 min | Budget · Solo travelers · Downtown hotels · Best overall |
| Public Bus (SamTrans) | $2.75–$4 | 40–60 min | Local South Bay destinations |
| Taxi | $40–$60 | 20–30 min | Convenience · 24/7 · Heavy luggage |
| Uber / Lyft | $30–$45 | 20–30 min | App-based · Families · Groups |
| Shared Shuttle | $16–$35 | 20–30 min | Hotels not near BART · Groups |
| Rental Car | $30–$50+/day | 20–30 min | Bay Area exploration · Wine Country · Big Sur |
| Hotel Shuttle | Free | 10–15 min | Airport hotel guests only |
Private Transfer from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco Airport Parking — Options, Rates & Tips 2026
SFO parking ranges from short-term (first 30 min free at terminals) to long-term economy lots. Valet is the premium option. The AirTrain connects all parking areas to all terminals. For trips over 3 days, Economy Parking (hourly rate, long-term lot) with shuttle is the best value.
Hotels Near SFO Airport — Best Options 2026
Most SFO hotels are 0.5–2 miles away with free 24/7 shuttles. The Grand Hyatt at SFO is the only hotel connected to the airport via AirTrain. For unique Bay Area luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is 25 miles south. BART also makes downtown SF hotels accessible (30 min).
San Francisco Airport — Restaurants, Lounges & Shopping Guide
SFO is exceptional for dining and shopping — Bay Area food culture shows. Terminal 2 has the best dining (eco-design, Samovar Tea Lounge, Yankee Pier seafood). The International Terminal has luxury boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel) and the most premium lounges. SFO also has one of the best public art programs of any airport in the world.
🍕 Top Dining by Terminal
🛋 Airport Lounges at SFO
🏭 Shopping at SFO
SFO Airport Security, Customs & Global Entry Guide
🔐 TSA Security at SFO
👥 International Arrivals — CBP
📱 Security Tips
Expert Travel Tips for San Francisco Airport 2026
Take BART — The Best Airport-City Rail in the US West
The BART from SFO to Downtown San Francisco (Powell Street) costs just $9.65 and takes 30 minutes — with zero traffic delays. BART station is in the International Terminal — take the AirTrain or walk from any terminal. Trains run every 15–20 minutes. Ample space for luggage. Also serves Oakland, Berkeley, and other Bay Area destinations. During rush hour when Uber prices surge to $60–$80+, BART is the undisputed best option. This is arguably the best value airport rail option in all of California.
International Terminal = Most Important Area for Global Travelers
The International Terminal at SFO is where everything comes together for international travelers: BART station, all global airlines, US Customs & Border Protection with Global Entry kiosks, duty-free shopping, Louis Vuitton/Gucci/Chanel luxury boutiques, Vino Volo wine bar, Kirin Japanese Restaurant, and premium airline lounges. Even if your flight departs from another terminal, domestic-to-international connections may route you through here. Allow extra time for customs when arriving internationally — peak afternoon arrivals can take 30–60 minutes.
Terminal 2 Has the Best Dining at SFO
Terminal 2 is SFO’s most impressive dining terminal — featuring Samovar Tea Lounge (organic teas, vegetarian meals), Yankee Pier (fresh Bay Area seafood, clam chowder), The Mission Bar & Grill (California cuisine), and Luna Grill Mediterranean. The terminal’s eco-friendly LEED design with natural lighting makes it a pleasant place to spend time. If you have a long layover in a domestic terminal, consider walking or taking the AirTrain to T2 for a better meal than available at your departure terminal.
Get Global Entry If You Travel International Frequently
If you fly internationally through SFO more than once a year, Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) is worth every penny. At SFO’s International Terminal, Global Entry kiosks allow you to clear US Customs in under 5 minutes vs. 30–60+ minutes in standard lines. Also includes TSA PreCheck for domestic flights. The TSA PreCheck enrollment center is inside the International Terminal — you can apply while at the airport. Mobile Passport Control is a free alternative for US/Canadian citizens (download app before traveling).
Use the AirTrain for All Terminal Connections
SFO’s free AirTrain connects all 4 terminals, all parking garages, and the Rental Car Center. It runs continuously every few minutes. If you arrive at the International Terminal and need to connect to a domestic departure in T1, T2, or T3, take the AirTrain — faster and easier than walking. Also the only way to reach the Rental Car Facility (5 minutes from terminals). Follow yellow signs for AirTrain throughout the airport.
SFO Art Program — Explore While You Wait
SFO has one of the most extensive public art programs of any airport in the world — over 100 exhibitions, installations, and rotating displays throughout all terminals. From photography to contemporary sculpture. The SFO Aviation Museum in the International Terminal is free and has rotating exhibits on aviation history. If you have a long layover, exploring SFO’s art collection is genuinely worthwhile — unlike most airports, it adds cultural value to waiting time. Look for permanent installations and rotating gallery spaces throughout the corridors.