San Francisco International (SFO) Arrivals and Departures Live Flight Status Information for San Francisco International

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Good to know

Distance to San Francisco17.8km
Distance to San Jose53.2km
Most popular destinationVancouver

Is San Francisco International Airport a busy airport?

At San Francisco International Airport, you encounter a hub of activity powered by over 50 airlines connecting you to destinations near and far. With approximately 1,000 flights taking off and landing each day, every moment brings a new flurry of operation. Serving around 40 million passengers annually, SFO ensures that your journey is efficiently catered to, especially with recent enhancements like the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 redevelopment. As you plan your departure, be mindful of peak travel times, particularly during the early mornings and late afternoons, when security lines see the most activity.

The best way to get to and from San Francisco International Airport to the city centre

Navigating your way to and from San Francisco International Airport is straightforward, offering several options to suit your needs and budget. For a direct route into downtown San Francisco, consider hopping on the BART—a convenient 30-minute ride from the airport’s International Terminal that takes you to key locations like Powell Street and Montgomery Street. If you prefer driving, be prepared for variable travel times, ranging from 15 to 40 minutes depending on traffic; keep in mind that rush hour can add to your journey.

Budget-conscious travellers might choose the SamTrans bus service, which connects multiple city locations, or opt for a Clipper Card for seamless and discounted travel across the Bay Area's transit systems, including BART, Caltrain, and SamTrans. If flexibility appeals to you, rental cars from providers such as Budget, Avis, and Hertz are readily available at the airport. Whatever your choice, you'll find a transport solution that gets you where you need to go efficiently.

San Francisco International Airport terminal information

At San Francisco International Airport, you will find four terminals to serve your travel needs. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 focus on domestic flights, while the International Terminal welcomes global travellers. Each terminal is equipped with a range of shops and dining options for your convenience. The airport ensures accessibility with wheelchair assistance, accessible parking, and service animal relief areas. For easy navigation, the iBeacon wayfinding system assists visually impaired travellers. All terminals are connected by the AirTrain, providing seamless access across the airport. Whether you're catching a flight or waiting for an arrival, SFO's facilities ensure a smooth journey.

What parking options are available near San Francisco International Airport?

At San Francisco International Airport, you have a range of parking choices to fit your needs. For short-term parking, you'll find spots conveniently located near the terminals. If you're planning a longer trip, consider the long-term parking option north of the terminals. This area is connected to all terminals by the free AirTrain service, which runs around the clock with frequent departures. For electric vehicle users, free charging stations are available across several parking garages at SFO, ensuring your vehicle is ready for the road when you return.


San Francisco International Airport FAQs

For international arrivals, it usually takes around an hour to clear San Francisco International Airport’s passport control and claim your baggage if you checked any in. Domestic arrivals to San Francisco International Airport don’t need to pass through passport control, so take a little less time.

If you’re heading to San Francisco International Airport arrivals to pick up a family member or friend, consider arriving half an hour after their flight is due to touch down.
We recommend you leave at least two and a half hours between your inbound and outbound flights, especially if you are self-transferring on an international flight. When you self-transfer, you may need to clear customs, claim any luggage, and then check it back in yourself for your next flight. Take into account that you might need to change terminals, or it could take longer than necessary to navigate San Francisco International Airport’s departure lounge.
Beck's Motor Lodge is the highest-rated hotel near San Francisco International Airport, just 17.0km away. Other great hotels nearby include Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown (17.8km from the airport), and Noe's Nest Bed and Breakfast (15.3km away).
Check-in and baggage drop often close an hour before your scheduled departure time for domestic flights, and sometimes an hour and a half before for longer-haul international flights. As a rule of thumb, you should try to arrive at San Francisco International Airport two hours before you fly, but check with the airline you’re flying with.
Don’t worry if there’s no information available on our live flight tracker. We try our best to pull it directly from each airline, but sometimes this might not work properly. Try contacting the airline directly or checking their website to see if you can get an update.
Don’t panic! If you are not already at San Francisco International Airport, try contacting the airline directly to see if you can get on the next flight out, or a refund.

If you’re already inside San Francisco International Airport Departures when you find out, head to the airline’s desk to speak directly with someone.

If there are no more flights to your destination with the same airline and you really need to get there soon, we recommend searching for a new flight with Skyscanner and booking as soon as possible. You can then try to claim a refund for the original canceled flight.

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