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San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco

Navigate At San Francisco International Airport: Know Its Terminals, Connectivity, and More

Do you want to explore the breathtaking scenery for your postcard-worthy view, the iconic landmarks of Alcatraz Prison, and the undeniably mesmerizing, sparkling atmospheric conditions when the Pacific Ocean meets the San Francisco Bay? All this can be easily accessed when you visit San Francisco. One of the best ways to complete your trip to San Francisco is to arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which opened on May 7, 1927. The airport is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco. It serves the San Francisco Bay Area in California, U.S. SFO is the Bay Area's largest airport and California's second-busiest one. Moreover, the airport is ranked as the world's 32nd-busiest airport and the United States's 13th-busiest airport by passenger traffic. Whether you are traveling through San Francisco International Airport or gathering information for your future travel, you can refer to the following post for useful tips to make your airport experience seamless.

Key Insights of San Francisco International Airport

  • Airport name: San Francisco International Airport
  • Airport IATA code: SFO
  • Airport Address: Millbrae, California, U.S.
  • Open on: May 7, 1927
  • Hubs for: Alaska Airlines and United Airlines
  • Number of Terminals: 4

Terminals Information of San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the USA by passenger traffic. Thus, to make a smooth travel experience for its visitors, the airport provides 4 terminals. The first three terminals are domestic, whereas the fourth is international. All the terminals are interconnected and placed in a counterclockwise ring. The specific information regarding all of the terminals of SFO can be seen as follows:

Harvey Milk Terminal 1

It is one of the three domestic terminals at San Francisco International Airport, where airlines such as Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Porter, and American Airlines operate. The terminal has two concourses: Concourse B and Concourse C. Gates B2 to B27 are located in Concourse B, and C1 to C11 are located in Concourse C. Services include an adult changing table, animal relief areas, ATMs, automated external defibrillators, baggage carts, baggage porters, companion care restroom, mailboxes, nursery, sensory room, paging, traveler's workstations, vending machine, wireless internet access, along with various shops and restaurants. 

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 also serves the domestic routes of San Francisco International Airport. Concourse D lies within this terminal. Gates from D1 to D18 are located within Concourse D of the airport. Services, such as an airport butler, animal relief areas, ATMs, automatic external defibrillators, baggage carts, baggage porters, companion care restroom, information booth, mailboxes, nursery, paging, self-service mailers,  travelers' workstations, TSA PreCheck, TTY, vending machines, video relay service, water filling stations, wheelchairs, wireless internet access, along with various dining and snacking options are availble throughout the terminal.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 at SFO is also used for domestic departures and arrivals. Terminal 3 has two concourses: Concourse E and Concourse F. Gates E1 to E13 are in Concourse E, and gates F1 to F22 are in Concourse F. The terminal features various facilities for its travelers, including an airport butler, animal relief area, ATMs, automatic external defibrillators, baggage carts, baggage porters, companion care restroom, information booths, mailboxes, nursery, paging, self-service mailers, traveler's workstations, TSA PreCheck, TTY, vending machine, wag brigade, water filling stations, wheelchairs, wireless internet access, and various option for dining and munching.

International Terminal

The International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport is dedicated to international departures and arrivals from various airlines. The terminal is divided into two concourses: International A and International G. Gates from A1 to A15 are located in International A, and gates from G1 to G14 are located in International G. The International Terminal of SFO is filled with various facilities to ease travelers' experience, including an adult changing table, an airport travel agency, an animal relief area, ATA Carnet, ATMs, automatic external defibrillators, baggage carts, baggage porters, baggage wrapping service, berman reflection room, bicycle assembly stations, bicycle parking, CBP deferred inspection, companion care restroom, currency exchange, customs clearance office, global entry program, medical clinic, mobile services, nap rooms, nursery, showers, storage facilites, traveler's workstations, vending machine, video relay service, wireless internet access, and various dining and shopping options.

Major Airlines Flies Through San Francisco International Airport

Being one of the most famous destinations for travelers, San Francisco is in demand. Thus, to cater to the needs of different travelers, various airlines operate their flights to and from SFO. If you want to know about all the airlines that operate from San Francisco International Airport, you can refer to the following section:

Aer Lingus AeroMexico Air Canada Air China
Air France Air India Air New Zealand Air Premia
Air Transat Alaska Airlines American Airlines All Nippon Airways
Asiana Avianca Breeze British Airways
Cathay Pacific China Airlines China Eastern China Southern
Condor Copa Airlines Delta Air Lines Emirates
EVA Air Fiji Airways Flair Airlines Frontier
Hawaiian Airlines Iberia ITA Airways Japan Airlines
JetBlue KLM Korean Air Level Airlines
LOT Polish Airline Lufthansa Philippine Airlines Porter
Qantas Qatar Airways SAS Singapore Airlines
Southwest Starlux Sun Country Swiss International Airport
TAP Air Portugal Turkish Airlines United Airlines Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic WestJet ZIPAIR  

Popular Routes For San Francisco International Airport

Due to San Francisco's increasing popularity, there is no dearth of routes served by airlines operating through the city. Whether domestic or international, a plethora of options are available to you to travel to or from the airport. You can learn a few of the popular destinations to which flights operate to or from SFO as follows:

Calgary (YYC) Edmonton (YEG) Vancouver (YVR) Montreal (YUL)
San Jose del Cabo (SJD) Mexico City (MEX) Belize City (BZE) San Salvador (SAL)
Amsterdam (AMS) Copenhagen (CPH) Frankfurt (FRA) Istanbul (IST)
Paris (CDG) Rome (FCO) Dubai (DXB) Doha (DOH)
Adelaide (ADL) Auckland (AKL) Christchurch (CHC) Brisbane (BNE)
Melbourne (MEL) Nadi (NAN) Pape'ete (PPT) Sydney (SYD)
Boston (BOS) Atlanta (ATL) Chicago (ORD) Denver (DEN)
Los Angeles (LAX) Miami (MIA) New York (JFK) Washington (IAD)
Beijing (PEK) Hong Kong (HKG) Mumbai (BOM) Seoul (ICN)
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Shanghai (PVG) Singapore (SIN) Tokyo (HND)

Facilities and Services Offered by San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is one of the most famous airports, offering an unforgettable and convenient experience for its visitors. The airport offers a number of amenities that make passengers' travel seamless. A few of the crucial facilities and services offered by SFO include:

Accessibility services: SFO aims to provide all of its services to every guest and thus offers TSA Cares, where individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, and other circumstances can obtain information about screening procedures. Moreover, a sensory room is crafted, though open for all, but caters to neurodivergent travelers and their families to ensure they are prepared for the trip.

Expedited airport travel: To ensure you can clear your airport journey in an accelerated manner, the airport provides you with various services, including CLEAR, which offers you fast-tracked airport security lines at all terminals through a biometric card; and Global Entry, which provides a rapid clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers who are visiting the US.

Animal relief areas: Throughout your airport travel, you must keep your pet in the kennel unless it is a service animal. However, you can leash them in the airport's animal relief area. An animal relief area is available post-security at all airport terminals. The relief service area for animals is fully fenced and available 24/7, with drinking areas with bowls and garbage areas with mutt mitt dispensers.

Currency exchange counters: You can exchange currency at the international terminal at SFO. Currency exchange counters are available on levels 2 and 3 in the concourses of the international terminal. The exchange counters open throughout the week, but have different working hours, with the International Terminal G, Level 3 airport opening most, from 07:15 AM to 11:00 PM.

Currency exchange automated machines: Apart from the currency exchange counters, you can also find the currency exchange automated teller machines at the departure level, pre-security of International Terminal Building A-Side, and during post-security at International Terminal Boarding Area A, where you can change into Euro, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, and British Pound. Moreover, you can also find the machine at the International Terminal Building, arrivals level, where you can change into only USD.

Information booths: Various information booths are located throughout the airport. You can get assistance from a live person in different languages and get the help you need to navigate the airport smoothly and conveniently.

Baggage Porter: You can find the baggage porter service at all departing stations upon request. They will charge you $3 per item and help you carry your luggage out of the airport. At the domestic terminal, you have to ask for assistance, whereas at the international terminal, baggage porters are typically available in the arrival hall.

Baggage wrapping service: At Level 3 of the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal, the service is available Sunday to Saturday between 06:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Additionally, the LMD baggage wrapping kiosk is available at the International Terminal, Main Hall, pre-security, and operates daily between 07:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

Showers: If you want to freshen up, you can use the showers at the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal, Level 3. Here, various facilities are available, including shower facilities, toiletries, a nap room, ironing facilities, and undergarments. 

Medical clinic: A fully facilitated medical clinic is available at SFO, where experienced physicians and registered nurses provide travel medicines, occupational health services, urgent care, and immigration physicals. X-ray, physical therapy, and pharmacy services are available. Moreover, physical exams for sports teams, DMV, schools, camps, employment, and immigration are also conducted here.

Wag Brigade service: A program launched by SFO in December 2013, Wag Brigade, brings trained dogs to roam around Terminal 3. Passengers can approach them and pat them to make their travel more enjoyable. Various trained dogs you can meet there, including Babo, Bandi, Bailey, Bombay, Charlie, Foley, Fonzie, Jack, and more.

Free wireless internet connection: Free wireless Wi-Fi internet connection is available at all the terminals of San Francisco International Airport, which you can use for your work or leisure. To connect to Wi-Fi, select the network named #SFO FREE WIFI, or launch a web browser. However, to use the SFO Wi-Fi, you have to agree to the SFO WIFI terms and conditions.

SFO Gate Explorer: With the SFO Gate Explorer, you can get access to the secure side of the airport. It allows you to bring or meet your loved ones at the gate, take in SFO's world-class shopping and dining, and check out the latest art pieces and exhibitions from the award-winning SFO Museum.

Wellness center: To elevate your travel experience and keep your mind and body relaxed, you can find various wellness centers at the airport, including yoga rooms, a reflection room, and a sensory room. You can find different rooms at different terminals to unwind your further travel experience. 

Airport lounges: Throughout the terminals of San Francisco International Airport, lounges from various airlines are available. For example, the Air Canada lounge is at Terminal 2, Air France at the International Terminal A, Air India at the International Terminal, the Alaska Lounge at Harvey Milk Terminal 1, and American Airlines at Harvey Milk Terminal 1.

Lost and Found Center: You can find the SFO Lost & Found service at the arrival level in the Delta baggage claim area. Here, you can find items lost in the Airport Terminals or on AirTrain. The authority holds your lost item for 30 days. However, if you lost your item on the flight, you have to contact your airline.

Connectivity Information of San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is located in a prime location in California, and thus provides you with various ways to connect to San Francisco City. A few of the connectivity options that you can find from San Francisco International Airport can be seen as follows:

  • Public transit: With BART, you can cover your San Francisco travel to the East Bay quickly. You can find the SFO Bart Station at the International Terminal of the airport. 
  • App-based rides and taxis: Various app-based rides, such as Uber, Wingz, and Lyft, are located on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage and can be accessed after booking through their respective apps. Taxis are also available at the airport, located on the central islands outside Arrivals.
  • Autonomous rides with Waymo: Selected Waymo passengers can take autonomous rides with Waymo. You can ride in a Waymo vehicle from the Rental Car Center Level 1 curbside located on North McDonnell Road.
  • Rental cars: You can access the Rental Car service from the Rental Car center, reachable via the AirTrain line.
  • Hotel and motel shuttles: Many hotels and motels provide you with a complimentary shuttle service, which you can access from the designated zones available at the airport.

Tips for a Smoother San Francisco International Airport Trip

  • Reach the airport at least 2 hours before your domestic flight and 3 hours before your international flight departure.
  • Carry all the required documents with you, including your passport, visa, government-authorized identity card, and any other document that is required for your travel.
  • Don't take your pets through walkways or escalators, as they are dangerous for animals. You can either carry your pet in a kennel or walk with them on the floor. To change levels in the airport, you can use elevators.
  • Passengers can exit their cars at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 to avoid congestion.
  • You can use the domestic and international parking garages at the airport, which charge $4 for 30 minutes.
  • Drivers can park their car for free for hours in the Free Cell Phone Waiting Lot when they are there to receive or drop off passengers.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes to make your airport journey more convenient.
  • Ensure you weigh your baggage beforehand so it doesn't cause any complications during boarding.
  • If you are required to purchase excess baggage, make sure to do so online, as baggage prices are generally higher at the airport.

Conclusion

A comprehensive airport guide for San Francisco International Airport is provided to you, covering information on the terminals, facilities, and services offered at the airport. You can use this detailed information to ensure a smooth airport experience and explore the facilities and services offered by the airport. Moreover, ways to get to the city from the airport are provided, helping you arrive early and start your exploration with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the IATA code of San Francisco International Airport?

Ans: SFO is the IATA code of San Francisco International Airport.

Q2. How many terminals does San Francisco International Airport have?

Ans: San Francisco International Airport has 4 Terminals: 3 domestic and 1 international.

Q3. Where is the workstation available at the San Francisco International Airport?

Ans: At all the terminals of San Francisco International Airport, you can locate the workstations.

Q4. Is Wi-Fi service free at San Francisco International Airport?

Ans: Yes, San Francisco International Airport provides free Wi-Fi, which you can access by connecting to #SFO FREE WIFI.

Q5. Where is the exchange currency counter located at San Francisco International Airport?

Ans: At the International Terminal of San Francisco International Airport, you can find the exchange currency counters.