San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

There are plenty of parking options available at San Francisco International Airport, all either within walking distance of the terminals or easily accessible via the 24-hour AirTrain SFO shuttle service. For shorter stays, check the Domestic or International Garages and for more budget-friendly options the Long Term Garage is ideal. We’d recommend booking your parking spot online to secure your spot in advance. 

A number of car rental companies, including AVIS, Budget, Sixt and Hertz, can be found in the Rental Car Center at San Francisco International Airport, accessible via the AirTrain SFO Blue Line. Talk to your Travel Expert about organising car hire for your trip or book it yourself online before you leave. 

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to travel between San Francisco International Airport and the city centre is the BART to SFO (and vice versa) rail service. Travellers can transfer from any of the airport terminals to the BART Station via the free 24-hour AirTrain SFO shuttle service and from there connections into the city are frequent and efficient. See the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) website for up-to-date information on timetables and fares. 

Transferring between San Francisco International Airport’s four terminals is a breeze thanks to the free, 24-hour AirTrain SFO shuttle service. The AirTrain Red Line runs in a convenient loop between the airport terminals and nearby car parks, while the AirTrain Blue Line also connects travellers with Long Term Parking and the Rental Car Center.  

Airport shuttles and hotel transfers provide a good balance of convenience and affordability when travelling to or from San Francisco International Airport. It’s important to organise this in advance, so ask your Travel Expert to help you book your airport or hotel transfer today! 

Getting a lift to or from the airport? As you make your way to San Francisco International Airport, follow the signs for Departures or Arrivals and pick up or drop off your passenger on the curbside. To avoid congestion, travellers can also make use of the Kiss & Fly area available near the Rental Car Center. From there, passengers can connect to the terminals via the AirTrain SFO shuttle service. 

Dedicated taxi ranks are available from the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level outside all terminals at San Francisco International Airport. Rideshare services, including Lyft and Uber, are also available and pick-up areas can be found on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage car park, as well as Pick-Up/Drop-Off zones 14-17 at the International Terminal. 

As a busy international airport, there are lots of different airlines servicing San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Major airlines include Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines. For a more complete list, see the page above. 

As a general rule, you should aim to arrive at San Francisco International Airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time for domestic flights and three hours before international flights. This should give you plenty of time to complete check-in, drop your bags and pass through any necessary security screenings before your boarding time. Keep in mind that you may experience longer lines and delays during busy travel periods, so check with the airport, airline or your Travel Expert directly for more information on recommended arrival times. 

There are plenty of transport options available from San Francisco International Airport to downtown San Francisco, including the BART rail service, taxi and rideshare options or car rentals.  

Yes, there are lots of airport lounges at San Francisco International Airport, including the Alaska Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, Emirates Lounge and United Club Lounges to name but a few! Access to airport lounges may be possible depending on your ticket class, frequent flyer membership, credit card benefits or by purchasing a day pass. Check with the airline directly or talk to your Travel Expert for more information on how to access the lounges at San Francisco International Airport. 

Airport hotels, nap rooms and shower facilities are available at San Francisco International Airport. If you’re looking for a quiet space to relax while you wait for your flight, check the opening times and whether you’re able to access any of the airport lounges. Ready to book accommodation for your trip to San Francisco? Ask your Travel Expert for help finding the perfect hotel today! 

You may be able to earn loyalty points or rewards on eligible flights to or from San Francisco booked with us. When booking online, you’ll see a place to add your loyalty program or frequent flyer membership details if this is available, or you can ask your Travel Expert for help when booking in-store. If the booking meets your program’s requirements, you’ll earn points! For more information, check with your specific loyalty program and see our Booking Terms and Conditions. 

Keen for even more travel perks? Subscribe to our email list for birthday surprises, competition entries, exclusive deals and VIP pre-sale access to the hottest holiday savings around. 

Check-in times and baggage rules for flights departing from San Francisco International Airport will vary depending on your ticket, so make sure you confirm with your airline in advance. Remember, it’s often possible to check in online or via your airline’s app, which can help save time at the airport. For more information or help finding your check-in times and baggage limits, talk to your Travel Expert.  

There are four terminals at San Francisco International Airport. Terminal 1 (the Harvey Milk Terminal), Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 generally handle domestic flights, while international itineraries will use the International Terminal. Check your boarding pass for more information on your departure or arrival terminal at San Francisco International Airport. Need to transfer between the terminals? The free 24-hour AirTrain SFO shuttle service runs frequently between all four terminals.  

Yes, short-term and long-term parking is available at San Francisco International Airport. Check with the airport directly for more information on booking airport parking and the current rates. 

Travelling with the little ones? Dedicated nursery rooms are available throughout the terminals as well as seven colourful and interactive Kids’ Spots for children to play and stretch their legs before their flight. 

Keen to do a little retail therapy at San Francisco International Airport? You’re in luck! There are plenty of stores available for you to browse before your flight, including well-known brands like Burberry, Coach, LEGO®, MAC and Sunglass Hut, as well as duty-free shops and dining options. Check San Francisco International Airport’s terminal map or website for an up-to-date list of stores and their opening information. 

While last-minute sale fares to and from San Francisco International Airport may become available, you’ll generally find it pays to plan ahead, especially if you're booking international flights. As a rough guide, we recommend booking domestic flights three to six months in advance and international flights six to nine months before you plan to fly. When it comes to balancing flexible travel dates with the biggest savings, this should give you the best of both worlds!