SFO · San Francisco, CA · Major Hub

San Francisco International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for San Francisco International Airport (SFO), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

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On this page

Map
Terminals & connections
Layover helper
Security & TSA
Lounges
Amenities
Ground transport
Parking
Can I leave?
FAQ

Quick answer

Terminals:4terminals, airside-connected
Minimum connection time:50 min domestic, 1 hr 45 min international to domestic
Arrive:2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
To San Francisco: about 30 min one-way
Free WiFi:Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

SFO San Francisco International Airport is located at 37.6213, -122.3790.View on OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

San Francisco International Airport has 4terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security.All terminals, including the International Terminal A and G gates, are connected by both pre- and post-security walkways (official flysfo guidance, verified 2026-06-10). Domestic arrivals walk to any gate without re-screening; non-precleared international arrivals still clear CBP bags-first and re-enter via a security checkpoint. T3 AirTrain station closed until the new facility opens in 2027; use the Terminals 2 & 3 station.

Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk)

6 airlines: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines

Non-United domestic carriers: American, Alaska/Hawaiian, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, plus Sun Country, Aer Lingus, and Porter.

Terminal 2

3 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet

Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet. United's domestic check-in is grouped into the combined Terminals 2 & 3 area while the Terminal 3 AirTrain station is closed for redevelopment through 2027 (flysfo.com lists United under Terminal 2).

Terminal 3

1 airline: United Airlines

United domestic hub (E/F gates). The Terminal 3 AirTrain station is closed through 2027; passengers use the Terminals 2 & 3 station, and airside connections to other terminals are unaffected.

International Terminal (A, G)

14 airlines: United Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Emirates, and more

All international; G is United intl, A is other carriers.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic: 50 min
Domestic to international: 1 hr
International to domestic: 1 hr 45 min
International to international: 1 hr 45 min
Transfer system: Post-security walkways connect all terminals; AirTrain (landside loop, 24h, every ~4 min) for pre-security transfers
Airside connected: Yes

Check your connection time at SFO

Layover helper

Check whether your layover at SFO is tight, comfortable, or long enough to leave the airport. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

For a safe connection at , aim for

≥min

min airport floor min buffer

Based on:

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at SFO is 25 minutes at peak and 8 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

TSA PreCheck: Available
CLEAR: Available
Global Entry: Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at SFO, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

United Polaris Lounge

International G

United / Star Alliance

Access: Polaris Business intl

Amenities: Sit-down dining, Showers

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at SFO: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Terminal 3 Boarding Area E

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal 3: The Plant Cafe, Napa Farms Market

Ground transport to San Francisco

SFO is about 30 min from downtownSan Francisco by the fastest transit option.

Option	Cost	Time
BART Train Direct BART to downtown SF (Embarcadero); $11.80 one-way standard adult Clipper after the January 2026 fare increase (BART fare API, verified 2026-07-04).	$12	30-35 min
Uber/Lyft Rideshare	$40-$80	25-60 min

Parking

SFO parking ranges from $27/day economy to $39/day short-term.Domestic and International hourly garages are $4 per 30 min with a $39/day maximum. The Long-Term Garage (AirTrain to all terminals) is the cheapest at $27/day. Valet is operated by Grand Hyatt at SFO at $48/day with in/out privileges (prepaid online; promotional pricing can run lower).

Short-term: $39/day
Long-term: $27/day
Economy: $27/day
Valet: $48/day

Can I leave SFO during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside SFO. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of San Francisco.Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

BART connects SFO to downtown SF in about 30 min (the one-way fare includes BART's SFO airport surcharge; check bart.gov for the current rate, which rose with BART's January 2026 fare increase). With 5+ hours, you can do Embarcadero or the Mission. Budget 3 hours round trip.

Overnight layover hotels

Grand Hyatt at SFO
On-airport AirTrain
$$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at SFO?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from SFO, and 180 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at SFO?

SFO requires at least 50 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 105 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.

How long does it take to get between terminals at SFO?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 20 min for different-terminal transfers at SFO via Post-security walkways connect all terminals; AirTrain (landside loop, 24h, every ~4 min) for pre-security transfers. All terminals, including the International Terminal A and G gates, are connected by both pre- and post-security walkways (official flysfo guidance, verified 2026-06-10). Domestic arrivals walk to any gate without re-screening; non-precleared international arrivals still clear CBP bags-first and re-enter via a security checkpoint. T3 AirTrain station closed until the new facility opens in 2027; use the Terminals 2 & 3 station.

Can I leave SFO during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside SFO. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. BART connects SFO to downtown SF in about 30 min (the one-way fare includes BART's SFO airport surcharge; check bart.gov for the current rate, which rose with BART's January 2026 fare increase). With 5+ hours, you can do Embarcadero or the Mission. Budget 3 hours round trip.

Does SFO have showers?

Yes, SFO has showers at Premium lounges.

Does SFO have sleep pods?

SFO does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at SFO?

Yes. SFO offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from SFO to San Francisco?

The cheapest option is typically BART at $12, taking 30-35 minutes. Direct BART to downtown SF (Embarcadero); $11.80 one-way standard adult Clipper after the January 2026 fare increase (BART fare API, verified 2026-07-04).

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at SFO?

SFO supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes.

Where should I eat at SFO during a layover?

Notable dining at SFO includes The Plant Cafe (Terminal 3), Napa Farms Market (Terminal 3).

How much does parking cost at SFO?

SFO parking rates: $39/day short-term, $27/day long-term, $27/day economy, $48/day valet. Domestic and International hourly garages are $4 per 30 min with a $39/day maximum. The Long-Term Garage (AirTrain to all terminals) is the cheapest at $27/day. Valet is operated by Grand Hyatt at SFO at $48/day with in/out privileges (prepaid online; promotional pricing can run lower).

Is there a hotel at SFO for overnight layovers?

Yes. Grand Hyatt at SFO is on-airport (On-airport AirTrain) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at SFO?

SFO has 4 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk): American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines; Terminal 2: Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet; Terminal 3: United Airlines; International Terminal (A, G): United Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at SFO?

Yes. Pet relief areas. SFO has the Wag Brigade therapy animal program.

Can I cruise from San Francisco?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of SFO: San Francisco Cruise Terminal (13 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at SFO?

Yes. Terminal 3 Boarding Area E.