San Francisco International Airport Guide for Arriving Passengers


San Francisco International Airport (Airport Code: SFO) and commonly called as SFO is the largest airport serving the Bay area.

Apart from SFO Airport, there are two other commercial Airports in the Bay area:

1). Oakland International Airport (Airport Code: OAK), and

2). San Jose International Airport (Airport Code: SJC)

This travel guide is for passengers arriving at San Francisco International Airport and going to San Francisco.

San Francisco's SFO Airport has Four Terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and International Terminal

These 4 terminals of SFO have seven concourses and a total of 115 gates arranged in a ring shape.

International Arrivals with the destination as San Francisco should head towards Immigration, collect bags from Baggage Claim, and clear Customs at this SFO Airport.

Domestic arriving passengers at this San Francisco Airport should directly head towards the baggage claim and Ground Transportation area.

  SFO Airport terminals are conveniently connected by Airtrain to Rental car Center, terminal parking garages and the BART Station.

More useful information below in this San Francisco Airport (SFO) travel guide for arriving passengers.

SFO AirTrain

AirTrain at SFO :

SFO AirTrain connects all terminals, Rental Car Center, terminal parking garages and the BART station.

AirTrain operates two lines inside SFO Airport :

1). Red Line - Connects all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station at International Terminal.

2). Blue Line - Connects the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station.

AirTrain runs 24 hours all year round frequently every 5-10 mins.

If you are going to SFO Car Rental Center then take the Blue line.

For more information on a specific mode of ground transportation at SFO Airport :

SFO ground transportation info
SFO Airport BART Station (Mass Transit)

Mass Transit (BART) from SFO to San Francisco :

SFO BART Station is located at the departure/ticketing level of the International terminal.

BART connects SFO Airport to San Francisco and East bay area.

• You can purchase BART vouchers in advance online or at the SFO BART station

Buy BART Ticket/Voucher online

Vouchers can only be redeemed at the SFO Information Booth located in the International Terminal G-side, near the AirTrain escalator from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Once you get down at the Bart station near your hotel:

- walk, transfer to the MUNI, or catch a Cab to your hotel.

Below link has step by step instructions.

Directions from SFO BART station to SF city
SFO Airport - Shuttle/Shared Vans

SFO Shuttle/Shared Vans :

Once you arrive at San Francisco Airport, you can use shared vans to reach to :

- downtown San Francisco hotels;

- SF residential neighborhoods;

- the East Bay; the South Bay; or

- even far outlying suburbs.

This is an easy and less expensive option than taxi cabs if you have large luggage.

Airport van pickups are on the 2nd level of the airport, above the baggage claim.

Be cautious of the aggressive independent drivers offering you a special deal.

Tickets: SFO Shuttle: San Francisco Airport to Hotels
SFO Airport Taxi

Taxi at San Francisco Airport :

Taxis are located in the designated taxi zones located outside of the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all terminals at the roadway center islands.

Uniformed taxi coordinators are stationed in the taxi zone to assist passengers.

Book your - Private Arrival Transfer: San Francisco International Airport to Hotel

SFO Airport Car Rental

Car Rental at SFO Airport :

To get to the Rental Car Center from the airport terminals, take the AirTrain Blue Line.

AirTrain is free and operates 24 hours every day and provides frequent service throughout SFO.

AirTrain stations are located in all terminals, terminal parking garages, the Rental Car Center, and SFO's BART station.

 

Hotel to Airport

 

Check with the bellhop or concierge at your hotel to see if there is an Airport Shuttle-bus service from your hotel.

If taking public transit or returning a car, allow an extra 2 hours.Especially if you are returning a vehicle.

Please check with a bellhop or concierge at your hotel on the most convenient way for your needs.

San Francisco Airport Arrival or Round Trip Transfer: SFO Airport to San Francisco Hotels

BART SFO Voucher - $20.00

Known as one of the best transportation systems in the world, San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will get you to your destination quickly and easily. Book online now so you don't have to wait in line at the airport! Purchase a voucher redeemable for a $20 BART ticket. Your $20 BART ticket will have enough value for a round trip BART ride from SFO to Downtown San Francisco, Downtown Oakland or Downtown Berkeley, plus a small balance you can easily upgrade for round trip travel to East Bay destinations or for additional BART rides anywhere in the BART system. If you need to add more value to your BART ticket, you can do so at any BART station Ticket Vending Machine. Ticket Vending Machines accept cash as well as Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.