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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, equipped with a wide range of facilities and services for passengers. To learn more about this airport, take a look at the article below for some incredibly helpful information.
Where is San Francisco Airport located?
San Francisco Airport is located in the city of the same name, in California, USA. It is situated approximately 21 km south of downtown San Francisco, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno.
San Francisco Airport is about 21 km south of downtown.
San Francisco Airport Terminals
San Francisco Airport has four terminals. These are:
- Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle all domestic flights.
- Terminal 4 is dedicated to international flights.
Getting Around Between Terminals
Passengers can use the AirTran system to travel between terminals, access parking lots, the BART train station, and car rental locations.
San Francisco Airport International Terminal
How to Travel To and From San Francisco Airport
To get from the airport to downtown, you have several transportation options:
Bus
SamTrans buses run 24 hours a day outside all airport terminals, providing passengers with transportation to various destinations in San Mateo County, southern San Francisco, and Palo Alto. The starting fare is 2 USD.
Airport Shuttle Bus
Shared mini buses are available outside the terminals. Fares to downtown San Francisco range from 16 to 18 USD, depending on the vehicle and route.
Train
San Francisco International Airport is connected to downtown via the BART rapid transit line. The train station is located on the departure level of the airport's international terminal. The journey takes around 30 minutes. The fare is 8.65 USD one way.
Taxi
There are many taxis available outside the terminals, ready to serve passengers. The typical fare from the airport to downtown ranges from 45 to 65 USD.
Car Rental
Car rental services are located in a separate building, just a short distance from the airport terminals. They are connected to the terminals and the BART station by the 24-hour BlueTrain. Major rental companies available include: Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
SamTrans buses operate around the clock, available 24/7 outside all airport terminals
Airport Operating Hours
San Francisco International Airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The check-in and baggage drop-off times vary depending on the flight. For specific details, please contact your airline directly. Additionally, keep in mind that airport security processing times may differ depending on the boarding area. Here are the details:
- Boarding Area A: From 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM the following day.
- Boarding Area B: From 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM the following day.
- Boarding Area C: From 4:00 AM to 12:30 AM the following day.
- Boarding Area D: From 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM the following day.
- Boarding Area F (Checkpoint 1): From 4:00 AM to 12:00 AM midnight.
- Boarding Area F (Control Station 2): Open from 5 AM to 5 PM.
- Boarding Area G: Open from 5 AM until 1 AM the following day.
Luggage Services at San Francisco Airport
- Lost Baggage Report: If your luggage is lost or misplaced, please report it immediately at the Lost and Found counter located in Terminal 1.
- Luggage Wrapping Service: This service is available at the Airport Travel Agency in the main lobby of the international terminal. Operating hours: 6 AM - 11 PM (local time).
- Baggage Wrapping Kiosk: Located in the main lobby of the international terminal, operating from 9 AM to 11 PM.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers: The Airport Travel Agency, located in the main lobby of the international terminal, offers this service. The cost varies depending on the size of your luggage. Operating hours: 6 AM - 11 PM.
- Baggage Carts: To assist passengers in moving their luggage between terminals, San Francisco Airport provides baggage carts for a fee of $4 per cart. Passengers flying from the international terminal can use these carts free of charge.
Airport Travel Agency - the place to access a variety of luggage services at the airport, including luggage wrapping, storage, and lockers...
Flight Information Display (Flight Deck) at San Francisco Airport
San Francisco Airport also has interactive kiosks with touchscreens that provide passengers with information about the airport as well as the city of San Francisco. Location: Boarding Area E near Gate 60 in Terminal 3. Operating hours: 24/7.
Useful Tips for Sleeping at San Francisco Airport
In general, San Francisco Airport is quite bright and noisy, making it less than ideal for an overnight stay. However, if you still wish to sleep there, you can head to Terminals 2 or 3, which offer long benches. Terminal 3 is considered the quietest spot.
If you need a shower during your overnight stay, you can find shower rooms at the main lobby of the international terminal at San Francisco Airport. Hours: 7 AM - 11 PM. The cost is $25 (30-minute shower with towels, soap, shampoo, lotion, shower slippers, and a hair dryer if needed). Airport staff and military personnel pay only $12.
Additionally, you can book rooms inside the international terminal or at nearby hotels that offer free airport shuttle services.
- There are 3 restrooms in the FreshenUp area inside the international terminal, each equipped with a bed, free WiFi, a vanity table, a mirror, and a shower (additional fee applies). These rooms are open 24/7.
- Aloft San Francisco Airport Hotel: Located about a 5-minute drive from the airport, it offers a free airport shuttle every 15-20 minutes, operating from 4:05 AM to 12:05 AM the following day.
- Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel: Situated around a 5-minute drive from the airport, it offers a free 24/7 shuttle service, with departures every 20 minutes, operating from 4 AM to midnight.
- Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Burlingame Airport South: Located about a 5-minute drive from the airport, it offers a free airport shuttle service, running from 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM the next day, with a shuttle every 30-40 minutes.
- San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel: Situated around a 5-minute drive from the airport, it provides a free airport shuttle service.
- Vagabond Inn Executive San Francisco Airport Bayfront: Located about 6 minutes by car from the airport, it offers a free airport shuttle service, operating from 4 AM to 1 AM the following day.
Aloft San Francisco Airport Hotel
Facilities at San Francisco Airport
WiFi/Internet
San Francisco Airport offers free WiFi. Please connect to the network "SFO FREE WIFI".
Information Desk
Information desks are located throughout various areas and terminals of the airport, ready to assist with any inquiries and provide support to passengers.
ATM Machines
Please be aware that withdrawing money at the airport's ATMs may incur a fee. It's a good idea to check with your bank before your international flight and inform them of your travel plans.
ATM locations at San Francisco Airport: Departure levels near the food courts in Boarding Area A, near Gate A10 in Boarding Area A, near the food courts in Boarding Area G, and near Gate G91 in Boarding Area G.
Currency Exchange
The airport's currency exchange counters are located throughout the international terminal, with an additional office in Terminal 3 (Boarding Area F, near Gate 71).
Dining and Shopping
Each terminal features a variety of bars, cafes, and restaurants. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer American-style dining, while Terminal 2 and the International Terminal have Mexican and Japanese food options. Terminal 3 is home to several specialty beer bars. Popular spots include: Amoura Cafe, Andale Mexican Restaurant, The Buena Vista Cafe, Burger King, Deli-Up Cafe, Ebisu, Euro Cafe, Củi Cafe, Fung Lum, Go Bistro, Guava and Java, Lark Creek Grill, Loris Diner, Osho Japanese Cuisine, Cafe Restaurant, Pink Berry, Starbucks, Subway, and Yankee Pier. Additionally, there are several wine bars and cocktail lounges, such as Anchor Brewing Company, Cat Cora, Gordon Biersch, and Vino Volo.
At San Francisco Airport, you’ll find a wide array of duty-free shops, gift stores, newsstands, clothing and accessory retailers, sweet shops, toy vendors, and cosmetic counters. Some of the stores include Aviator News and Books, The Body Shop, Brookstone, CNBC News, Erwin Pearl, Gucci, Harmony Health and Beauty, InMotion Entertainment, MANGO, Pacific Outfitters, PGA Tour Shop, San Francisco Time, Sunglass Hut, and Swarovski.
Parking
San Francisco Airport offers short-term parking with direct access to the terminals. Meanwhile, the long-term parking lot is located about km away from the terminal, with a free shuttle service available to transport passengers between the terminals and the parking area.
Facilities for Passengers with Disabilities
Passengers with disabilities visiting San Francisco Airport can rest assured as the airport provides a wide range of accessible facilities. Passengers are advised to note the following:
- If you need a wheelchair, it is recommended to contact the airline in advance.
- TDD/TTY phones are available throughout the airport for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Taxi services, SamTrans buses, and Caltrain shuttle buses are all accessible for wheelchair users.
Other Amenities
San Francisco airport offers many additional amenities for passengers, such as:
- Aquarium: Located in the landside area, on the departure level of Terminal 1. The ticket counter is near the entrance to gates 40-48. Open 24/7.
- Art Exhibitions: Located in various spots throughout the terminals.
- Aviation Museum: Located in the airport's international terminal. Open from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Children's Medical Room: Situated in the Airside and Landside areas of Terminals 2 and 3.
- San Francisco Kids' Spot: Located in the domestic terminal D near gates 54A and 54B, in domestic terminal F near gate 87A, and in terminal E near gate 62 of terminal 3. Open 24/7.
- Duty-Free Shops: The Duty-Free Galleria is located in the international terminal with shops at the following locations: Gate A2 (open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 AM), Gate G92 (open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM), Gate A9 (open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM), and Gate G93 (open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM). Here, you can find magazines or explore products while waiting.
- Medical Services: Located at the main lobby of the international terminal. Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 PM to 4:00 PM the following day.
Medical Care Facility at San Francisco Airport
- Mobile Charging Station: You can easily find phone charging stations and free electrical outlets throughout the terminals. For fast charging (with a fee), you can visit: Area B near gate 23 in terminal 1; Boarding Area near gate 61 in terminal 3; Boarding Area near gate 87 in terminal 3.
- Renting Movies and Mobile Entertainment Devices: At the airport, InMotion Entertainment offers electronic devices, accessories, and movie rentals to help you pass the time during long layovers. There are three locations where you can find these services:
Main terminal of the international airport: Open from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Boarding Area F near Gate 71 in Terminal 3: Open from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Boarding Area F at the entrance of Gates 80-90 (waiting area in Departure Lounge C) in Terminal 3: Open from 8 AM to 12 PM.
- Exhibitions: SFO regularly hosts exhibitions that showcase culture, art, and history. You can visit the areas in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal. Open 24/7.
- Reading Room: Located near Gates 40-48 in Terminal 1. Open from 8 AM to 10 PM.
- Prayer Room: Located in the main hall of the International Terminal. Open from 7 AM to 11 PM.
- Spa services: Enjoy a range of services such as manicure, pedicure, facials, and massage at XpresSpa, with four locations within the airport: Boarding Area D in Terminal 2; Inpatient Area E near Gate 60 in Terminal 3; Inpatient Area F near Gates 80-90 in Terminal 3; Area G near Gate 100 in Terminal 3. Open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
- Yoga Rooms: If you have a long layover and wish to relax, you can visit the "yoga rooms" equipped with free mats. Locations: Inpatient Area D in Terminal 2; Inpatient Area E near Gate 69 in Terminal 3. Open 24/7.
If you have a long wait at the airport, you can visit the yoga rooms to unwind.
Flights to/from San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport services both domestic U.S. flights and international carriers such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, American Airlines, Asiana, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines, Virgin America, United Airlines, and more.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines is the only domestic airline operating flights to/from San Francisco, with all flights being connecting flights.
We hope the information provided above will make your flight to/from San Francisco Airport smooth and comfortable. Feel free to reach out to Mytour for assistance with ticket prices or booking procedures.
T.Sáu, 10/01/2025 15:45
