San Francisco Airport

SFO - Transportation Tips and Tricks

SFO (the San Francisco International Airport) is one of the busiest airports in the United States and serves every domestic and international major airport. SFO has 4 terminals - three of those are for domestic airlines and the last is for international travel.

San Francisco SFO Airport - Ground Transportation:

Leaving San Francisco's airport is a snap. There are a variety of transportation options including car rentals, limousine services, and shuttle vans. The underground train system, BART, connects to the airport as well although the running train schedule varies depending on what day and what time you are traveling. Our suggestion is to consider renting a limousine to leave the airport and get a shuttle back to SFO for your return. By taking a shuttle from the airport into San Francisco you run the risk of waiting a long time while the driver finds more passengers to fill his van. With the limousine you leave on your schedule and you have the added luxury of being able to relax and take in the beautiful scenery around you. Wait for your shuttle trip for going back to the airport, there is little-to-no waiting once you have a reservation and the fare can be significantly cheaper than a cab.

Getting to the Right Terminal

The four terminals make a loop around the parking areas and completing the loop on foot can be time consuming. There is an internal transportation system at SFO called AirTrain that links everything together and runs all the time, so walking the terminals is not required. 

Terminal 1 is the main terminal. You'll find most domestic flights run through Terminal 1 including American West, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and US Air and Air Canada. Terminal 2 is temporarily closed for renovations.   Terminal 3 is for American Airlines and United Airlines. The International Terminal is for most non-US carriers and all international arrivals

Security lines at SFO move quickly and efficiently. There are times when things can get very busy though during holidays. You should call your airline prior to departure and ask when a good time to arrive would be. The domestic airlines we spoke to suggested that all departing passengers arrive two hours before their flight time. International carriers suggested that passengers arrive three hours before flight time.

San Francisco Airport SFO Shopping and Dining:

There are many great opportunities for shopping at SFO, before and after you clear the security checkpoints. In addition to the regular Duty-Free Shops there are also a number of specialty stores. Get high-end cosmetics and perfume at Sephora, unique gifts from San Francisco artists at the SFMOMA Museum Store, gadgets at Brookstone, and yummy candy and chocolates from See's Candies. You will find a number of places to buy books, sunglasses, leather jackets, t-shirts, candy, even stylish neckties. If you need it then you will find it at the airport and the local retailers are very helpful and friendly.

If you need to be productive and do some computer work for your "job" then check out the Business Center, located in the International Terminal near the "G" gates (before-security). The business center has many convenient services available. Make photocopies, send a fax fascimile, use a quiet cubicle, or rent a conference room for a fun meeting-- the PowerPort Business Center can take care of all your business needs at San Francisco airport. There is also a PowerPort Station that is located in Terminal 3, a laptop charging/internet access kiosk where you can charge your devices or use a broadband internet connection.

After all that shopping you're bound to be hungry. Pull up a chair and relax with a delicious meal from the Bay Area's top restaurants. Grab some Nieman Ranch Beef or free-range chicken from the Mission Bar and Grill. Hungry for fresh seafood? Check out the Yankee Pier where the clams are amazing. You can also find bagels, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, soup, and even T.G.I. Friday's. Like local beer? Lounge with a lager from the Anchor Brewing Company or stop by Gordon Biersch and chug a Marzen, there are plenty of beers to choose from for even the most discriminating of palates. Waiting between flights can be quite relaxing at San Francisco airport.

Detailed Boarding Directions:

San Francisco International Airport Boarding Instructions: When you have your luggage and are ready to walk to your transportation at SFO, go to the courtyards listed below:

Terminal #1 (South Terminal: US Air, Continental, Alaska, Northwest, Delta)
Go to Courtyard #1 (same area as Charter Buses Boarding). From Baggage Level (Level 1) go out from the baggage claim doors and turn left, follow the curb toward the beginning of the building until you reach a small parking area with the sign indicating "Courtyard #1".

Terminal #3 (North Terminal: American, United Airlines)
Head over to Courtyard #4 (same area as Charter Buses Boarding). From Baggage Level (Level 1), go out from the baggage claim doors and turn right -- follow the curb toward to the end of the building until you reach a small parking area with the sign indicating "Courtyard #4".

Terminal #4 (International Terminal: All International Airlines)
Walk to Courtyard #G (same area as Charter Buses Boarding). From Custom or Baggage Level (Level 2), go out from the Custom doors and turn right -- take the elevator down to Level 1, look for a sign indicating "Bus Courtyard #G".