San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport sits about 21 kilometers south of downtown San Francisco, on the western shore of San Francisco Bay in San Mateo County, California. It serves as the principal international gateway for Northern California and the wider Bay Area. The airport opened in 1927 as Mills Field Municipal Airport and gradually expanded into one of the busiest hubs on the United States West Coast.
Overview
San Francisco International Airport sits about 21 kilometers south of downtown San Francisco, on the western shore of San Francisco Bay in San Mateo County, California. It serves as the principal international gateway for Northern California and the wider Bay Area. The airport opened in 1927 as Mills Field Municipal Airport and gradually expanded into one of the busiest hubs on the United States West Coast.
San Francisco International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
SFO is a major hub for United Airlines, which maintains an extensive domestic and transpacific network from the airport, and a focus city for Alaska Airlines. It is served by most large North American carriers and a wide range of European, East Asian, and Oceanian airlines, reflecting its role as a key transpacific gateway.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates four interconnected terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle primarily domestic traffic, while the International Terminal accommodates long-haul arrivals and departures. Four runways are laid out in two intersecting pairs, a configuration sensitive to the region's frequent low marine stratus. SFO operates around the clock and has undergone successive renovations to modernize concourses and boarding areas.
Connections through SFO need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
San Francisco International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare SFO against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Los Angeles, Seoul, London, Portland, Seattle. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using San Francisco International Airport without guesswork
Plan SFO around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into San Francisco to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at SFO. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates four interconnected terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle primarily domestic traffic, while the International Terminal accommodates long-haul arrivals and depa
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for SFO
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for SFO.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at SFO. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates four interconnected terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handle primarily domestic traffic, while the International Terminal accommodates long-haul arrivals and depa
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For San Francisco International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from SFO
Compare the carriers connected with SFO, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from SFO
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at SFO
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersSan Francisco International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at SFO.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from San Francisco can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at San Francisco International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at SFO depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at San Francisco International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around SFO can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in United States
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in United States.
FAQ
San Francisco International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, United States (North America), at coordinates 37.620°, -122.390°.
- Its IATA code is SFO and its ICAO code is KSFO.
- San Francisco International Airport serves San Francisco, United States. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- San Francisco International Airport operates on America/Los_Angeles local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- San Francisco International Airport sits at latitude 37.620° and longitude -122.390°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from SFO include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Silk Avia, Virgin America and 12 more.
- Tracked destinations from SFO include Los Angeles, Seoul, London, Portland, Seattle and New York, spread across 3 countries.
- Its address is San Francisco, California, 94128, United States, the phone number is +1 650-821-8211, the official website is http://www.flysfo.com/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in United States. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.