San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — Complete Airport Guide 2026
San Francisco, California · ICAO KSFO
The San Francisco Bay Area's primary international airport and a major hub for United Airlines. SFO has four terminals — three domestic and one international — connected by an AirTrain. Known for its aviation museum and extensive dining program featuring local SF restaurants.
SFO Airport Overview
San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO / ICAO: KSFO) is located in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Bay Area's primary international airport and a major hub for United Airlines. SFO has four terminals — three domestic and one international — connected by an AirTrain. Known for its aviation museum and extensive dining program featuring local SF restaurants.
Hub for: United Airlines
💡 SFO Insider Tips
- Arrive early: Plan for at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international departures from SFO, especially during peak hours when TSA waits can reach 35 minutes.
- Know your terminal: Use our Terminal Finder tool to look up your airline's terminal before you leave home.
- Hub airport: SFO is a hub for United Airlines, so expect busy connecting traffic. If you're connecting, use the inter-terminal train or people mover to move between terminals.
- Check live conditions: Download the MyTSA app and check the FAA delay map before heading to the airport.
SFO TSA Security Wait Times
Typical security waits at SFO average about 14 minutes in standard screening. The quietest window is usually Tuesday around 11 PM and the busiest is Friday around 6 AM. TSA PreCheck lanes are normally 60–80% faster.
Estimated wait right now
~3 min
TSA Checkpoint Locations at SFO
- Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C): Terminal 1 Checkpoint near Boarding Area B — TSA PreCheck available
- Terminal 2: Terminal 2 Checkpoint — recheck point if connecting from International Terminal
- Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E & F): Terminal 3 Checkpoint — multiple lanes, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
- International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G): International Terminal Security Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck and CLEAR available
SFO Terminals, Gates & Checkpoints — Complete Guide
San Francisco International Airport has 4 terminal areas. Below is a detailed breakdown of each, including airlines, gates, security checkpoints, baggage claim locations, and dining. Always confirm your terminal with your airline.
Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C)
Terminal 2
Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E & F)
International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G)
Airlines at SFO — Terminal & Gate Directory
San Francisco International Airport is served by 14+ airlines. The table below shows which terminal and gates each airline uses. Gate assignments can change — confirm with your airline on the day of travel.
| Airline | Terminal | Gates |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C) | B2–B24, C1–C10 |
| JetBlue | Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C) | B2–B24, C1–C10 |
| Frontier Airlines | Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C) | B2–B24, C1–C10 |
| Sun Country | Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C) | B2–B24, C1–C10 |
| Alaska Airlines | Terminal 2 | D1–D18 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 2 | D1–D18 |
| United AirlinesHub | Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E & F) | E1–E12, F1–F21 |
| United Airlines (International) | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Air Canada | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Air France | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| ANA | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| British Airways | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Cathay Pacific | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Emirates | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Korean Air | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Lufthansa | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Singapore Airlines | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
| Turkish Airlines | International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G) | A1–A12, G1–G14 |
Airline Guides
Read our detailed guides for airlines that serve SFO:
Where to Eat at SFO — Dining & Food Guide
San Francisco International Airport has 15+ dining options across its terminals, from quick-service restaurants to sit-down eateries and coffee shops. Here's a sampling of what's available:
Getting To & From SFO — Ground Transportation Guide
Here are all the ground transportation options for reaching San Francisco from San Francisco International Airport:
- BART — direct rail service from SFO to downtown San Francisco (~30 min) and East Bay
- SamTrans bus — local and express routes to Peninsula cities
- Caltrain — via SamTrans connection to Millbrae Caltrain station
- Ride-share & taxi — pickup on Level 5 Departures roadway or designated zones
- Rental car center — via AirTrain to Rental Car Center station
SFO Parking Options, Rates & Tips
Here are the current parking options at San Francisco International Airport. Rates are subject to change — confirm on the official website ↗ before you travel.
Domestic Garage
Connected to Terminals 1, 2, 3
International Garage
Connected to International Terminal
Long-Term Parking
AirTrain shuttle to all terminals
Valet
Available at Domestic and International terminals
Airport Lounges at SFO
The following airline clubs and independent lounges are available at San Francisco International Airport. Access is typically through airline elite status, premium tickets, Priority Pass, or day passes.
- United Polaris Lounge (International Terminal)
- United Club (Terminals 3, International)
- Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3)
- Delta Sky Club (Terminal 1)
SFO Layover Guide — What to Do During a Connection
If you have a layover at San Francisco International Airport, here's how to make the most of your time:
Short Layover (Under 2 Hours)
- Stay near your gate. Check departure boards for your next gate assignment — it may change.
- Grab a quick bite at one of the terminal restaurants. Popular options include Bun Mee, Napa Farms Market, The Little Chihuahua.
- Charge your devices at charging stations found throughout the terminals.
Long Layover (3+ Hours)
- Visit an airport lounge for a quieter space with complimentary food and drinks. SFO has 4 lounge options.
- Explore the terminals. San Francisco International Airport has shops, restaurants, and amenities across 4 terminal areas.
- Use free Wi-Fi to catch up on work or entertainment — most U.S. airports offer complimentary wireless internet.
SFO Map & Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are TSA wait times at SFO?
Typical TSA security wait times at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) average around 14 minutes in standard screening, but they swing widely by time of day. The lines are usually shortest tuesday around 11 pm and longest friday around 6 am. TSA PreCheck lanes are normally much faster. See the full hour-by-hour breakdown on our SFO TSA wait times page.
How early should I arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
As a general rule, arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight from SFO. Add extra buffer during early-morning and Friday/Sunday peaks, when security lines at SFO are at their busiest, or if you are checking bags.
What airlines fly out of SFO?
SFO is served by carriers including United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue and others. San Francisco International Airport is a hub for United Airlines.
How many terminals does SFO have?
San Francisco International Airport has 4 terminal areas: Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C); Terminal 2; Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E & F); International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G). Always confirm your terminal with your airline before traveling.
How do I get from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
Popular ways to reach downtown San Francisco from San Francisco International Airport include BART; SamTrans bus; Caltrain. Travel times vary with traffic and time of day.
Does SFO have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
San Francisco International Airport offers TSA PreCheck expedited screening, and most large U.S. hubs like SFO also have CLEAR lanes. PreCheck lets eligible travelers keep on shoes, belts, and light jackets and leave laptops and compliant liquids in their bags.
Where can I eat at SFO?
San Francisco International Airport offers a variety of dining options across its terminals. Popular spots include Bun Mee, Napa Farms Market, Wakaba, The Plant Organic Café, Lark Creek Grill, Andale. Options range from fast food to sit-down restaurants and coffee shops.
Where is SFO located?
San Francisco International Airport is in San Francisco, California (CA). Its IATA code is SFO and its ICAO code is KSFO. See the embedded Google Map on this page for exact location and driving directions.