San Francisco International Airport, or SFO, is usually the first and last stop for travellers visiting the Bay Area, but after spending some time there myself, I realised it’s actually a pretty interesting place to explore. Most airports are somewhere you simply pass through as quickly as possible. SFO feels a little different.
There are local restaurants, independent shops, public art, an aviation museum, therapy dogs, quiet spaces, water refill stations and even a hotel connected directly to the airport. SFO is also a seriously busy airport, serving more than 50 airlines and over 140 nonstop destinations, so there is a good chance you’ll find yourself here at some point.
If you’re flying into San Francisco, have a long layover or simply want to know what to expect before your flight, here’s my San Francisco International Airport guide, including how to get around, where to eat, what to do and a few things I think are worth knowing before you go.
Where Is San Francisco International Airport?
SFO is located around 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, in San Mateo County. Despite being outside the city itself, getting between the airport and San Francisco is relatively easy, particularly if you use public transport.
SFO is connected to the Bay Area by BART, the regional rapid transit system, and the airport’s AirTrain connects the terminals with the BART station. The journey between SFO and downtown San Francisco takes roughly half an hour, making BART a convenient option if you’re staying in the city.
There are also taxis, rideshares, rental cars, hotel shuttles and autonomous rides available from the airport, so you have plenty of choices depending on where you’re staying and how much luggage you’re carrying.
How Big Is SFO?
SFO is a seriously busy airport. It serves more than 50 airlines and connects San Francisco with more than 140 nonstop destinations around the world. United Airlines is the dominant carrier, but you’ll also find major airlines including Alaska Airlines, Delta, American Airlines and Southwest.
For international travellers, SFO is particularly well connected with Asia and Europe, with regular services to cities across the world.
The airport is big enough that it can feel overwhelming when you first arrive, but thankfully it’s relatively straightforward once you understand how the terminals work.
SFO Terminals: What You Need to Know
SFO has four main terminals: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal.
The International Terminal is divided into A and G gates, while the domestic terminals are home to B, C, D, E and F gates. Your airline and flight number will determine where you need to go, so always check your boarding pass or flight information before heading to the airport.
One thing I really liked about SFO is that the terminals are connected, and there are walking routes between different areas. That can be useful if you have time to explore or want to find a particular restaurant or shop.
Just keep in mind that the airport is large, so don’t assume that moving between terminals will take two minutes.
How to Get Around SFO
The easiest way to move around the airport is the AirTrain, which is free and operates 24 hours a day. There are two AirTrain lines. The Red Line connects the terminals, terminal garages, BART station and Grand Hyatt at SFO, while the Blue Line also connects the Rental Car Centre and long-term parking. AirTrain is particularly useful if you’re arriving at one terminal and need to get somewhere else within the airport.
You can also walk between terminals, and sometimes this is actually quicker than waiting for the train, particularly if you’re already close to the terminal you need.
My advice is to check your gate before you start wandering around. It’s very easy to get distracted by the shops, restaurants and exhibitions at SFO and then suddenly realise you have a much longer walk to your gate than expected.
Getting From SFO to San Francisco
If you’re staying in San Francisco, BART is one of the easiest options. The airport has its own BART station, which is connected to the terminals via AirTrain.
The journey to downtown San Francisco takes roughly half an hour, making it a convenient alternative to taking a taxi or rideshare.
Of course, if you’re arriving with several suitcases or travelling with a group, a rideshare or taxi can be more convenient. SFO has designated pickup areas for rideshares, while taxis are available at the terminals.
And if you’re staying somewhere outside central San Francisco, I’d check the journey before deciding which option makes the most sense. The Bay Area is spread out, so the fastest option isn’t always the most obvious one.
The Food at SFO Is Actually Good
One of my biggest surprises at SFO was how much I enjoyed the food options. Airport food can be pretty depressing, but SFO has made a real effort to bring local restaurants and Bay Area favourites into the terminals. The airport currently has more than 180 shopping and dining options, so there is a lot more choice than your standard airport burger and packet of crisps.
If you want something that feels particularly San Francisco, sourdough is an obvious choice. Boudin Bakery has locations at SFO, serving the famous San Francisco sourdough alongside sandwiches, salads, pizzas and other bites.
I also spotted Bun Mee, which serves Vietnamese food including banh mi, pho and fresh spring rolls. There are plenty of other options too, including sushi, salads, burgers, Mexican food, coffee shops and sit-down restaurants.
SFO’s dining options vary between terminals, so if you’re looking for somewhere specific, check which terminal it’s in before making your way over.
Don’t Skip the Coffee
If you’re anything like me, finding a good coffee at an airport is important. SFO has plenty of options, including local and familiar coffee shops across the terminals. During my visit, I tried a flat white and, thankfully, it passed the test.
There is also Cafe X, which uses a robotic coffee system to prepare drinks. I know a robot making coffee isn’t exactly a reason to visit an airport, but I have to admit it was pretty fun to watch.
If you have an early morning flight, I’d still check the opening hours of the café you want before relying on it. Airport businesses can have different hours depending on the terminal and time of day.
Green Apple Books Is One of My Favourite SFO Finds
If you have some time before your flight, have a look around the shops rather than heading straight for the gate.
One of my favourite discoveries was Green Apple Books, a San Francisco institution that has a location at SFO. It sells books, magazines, vinyl, CDs, audiobooks and gifts, so it feels much more like a local independent shop than the usual airport bookstore.
There’s something particularly nice about being able to pick up a book from a San Francisco bookstore without even leaving the airport.
And if you’re stuck on a long-haul flight, this might also be your opportunity to finally buy that book you’ve been meaning to read.
SFO Has an Aviation Museum
If you’re interested in aviation, definitely leave yourself some time to visit the SFO Museum and Aviation Library. SFO has a surprisingly impressive collection of aviation-related exhibits, with exhibitions displayed throughout the terminals. The Aviation Museum and Library is located in the International Terminal and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
What’s particularly cool is that SFO Museum became the first museum located in an airport to receive accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 1999. It remains the only airport museum programme with that accreditation.
Even if you’re not a huge aviation nerd, the exhibitions are worth a look. I loved seeing the vintage travel posters and old aviation pieces and thinking about how different flying used to be.
SFO Has Therapy Dogs
This was probably the cutest thing I discovered at the airport. SFO works with the San Francisco SPCA through its WAG Brigade programme, bringing trained therapy animals into the terminals to help make the airport experience a little more enjoyable for passengers.
And honestly, if you’re stressed about flying, I can see why this would work.
There’s something about seeing a happy dog wandering through an airport that immediately makes everything feel a little less stressful.
SFO also has dedicated animal relief areas for travelling pets and service animals, including indoor and outdoor facilities across the airport.
Don’t Forget to Refill Your Water Bottle
This is one of those small airport features that I wish every airport had. SFO has water bottle refill stations in all terminals, post-security, so you can empty your bottle before security and fill it up again once you’re through. You’ll find refill stations near several gates, including A1, G4, D3, D14 and E8.
It’s such a simple thing, but if you’re travelling long-haul, being able to refill your bottle before boarding is genuinely useful. I always recommend travelling with an empty reusable bottle for exactly this reason.
There Are Quiet Spaces and Yoga Rooms
SFO also has some surprisingly thoughtful facilities for travellers who need a little time away from the noise. The airport has a Sensory Room in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, located post-security near Gate C2, designed as a calmer space for passengers who need somewhere to decompress.
There are also three yoga rooms throughout the terminals, which is a pretty great option if you’ve got a long layover and want to stretch after a flight.
For families, SFO has seven Kids’ Spots designed to give younger travellers somewhere to burn off some energy before boarding. And if you simply want to sit somewhere peaceful, there are plenty of comfortable areas throughout the terminals.
The SkyTerrace Observation Deck
One of SFO’s more unusual features is the SkyTerrace, an observation deck where travellers can get views across the airfield and surrounding area.
If you’re interested in planes, this is obviously a fun addition to the airport, but I also think it’s a nice option if you’ve got a long layover and want to get some fresh air and stretch your legs.
Just check the current opening hours and access arrangements before you make a special trip over, as airport facilities can change.
Staying at SFO: Grand Hyatt at SFO
If you have an early morning flight, a long layover or simply don’t want to deal with getting into San Francisco after a long international journey, staying near the airport can make life much easier. I stayed at the Grand Hyatt at SFO, and it is about as convenient as an airport hotel gets.
The hotel is directly connected to SFO by AirTrain and has its own dedicated station, so you can step off the train and walk straight into the hotel. It has 351 rooms, many with soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the airport or Bay Area. And yes, you can actually sit in your room and watch the planes taking off and landing. For an aviation lover, that’s pretty dreamy.
The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness centre, restaurants, a bar and spaces where you can sit and work between flights. If you’re looking for an airport hotel near SFO, this is a particularly convenient option because you don’t need to rely on a shuttle to get back to the terminals.
How Early Should You Arrive at SFO?
I wouldn’t cut it too close at SFO, particularly if you’re flying internationally. How early you need to arrive depends on your airline, destination, baggage situation and time of day, so check your airline’s recommendation before travelling. Personally, I’d rather have extra time at the airport than be rushing through a huge terminal trying to find my gate.
And honestly, SFO gives you plenty of ways to use that extra time. You can grab a coffee, find something good to eat, browse Green Apple Books, look at the art, visit an exhibition or simply find a comfortable place to sit.
I’d much rather arrive early and enjoy the airport than spend my last 20 minutes in San Francisco watching the clock.
Is SFO a Good Airport for a Layover?
Yes, and this is probably one of the biggest things I took away from my visit. If you’re stuck at SFO for several hours, you don’t necessarily need to be bored at your gate. There are restaurants, shops, art installations, museum exhibits, quiet spaces and plenty of comfortable places to sit.
The airport currently has more than 180 shopping and dining options, 17 lounges, seven Kids’ Spots, three yoga rooms and the SkyTerrace observation deck, so there is genuinely quite a lot to do if you have time to spare.
If your layover is long enough to leave the airport, BART makes it possible to get into San Francisco without hiring a car. But make sure you allow plenty of time to get back to the airport, clear security and reach your gate. For shorter layovers, I’d stay at SFO and enjoy what the airport has to offer.
My Tips for San Francisco International Airport
- My biggest tip is to check your terminal before you arrive. SFO is big, and knowing whether you’re flying from Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 or the International Terminal makes everything easier.
- I’d also download your airline’s app and keep your flight information handy, especially if you’re connecting.
- Bring an empty reusable water bottle so you can refill it after security, and if you have time, don’t just sit at your gate. SFO has some genuinely interesting things to see.
- If you’re flying internationally, give yourself plenty of time for check-in, security and getting to the correct gate. And if you’re staying overnight, consider an airport hotel if your flight is particularly early.
- Most importantly, don’t assume an airport is somewhere you have to rush through. SFO actually made me want to slow down and look around.
Why I Actually Enjoyed SFO
I’ve spent plenty of time in airports over the years, and most of them blur together after a while. SFO didn’t really feel like that.
Maybe it was the therapy dogs, the local food, the independent shops, the aviation exhibits or simply the fact that the airport has put so much effort into making the space interesting. Whatever it was, I found myself enjoying the experience much more than I expected.
So, if you’re flying through San Francisco International Airport, give yourself a little extra time. Grab a good coffee, refill your water bottle, have something local to eat and take a wander around before your flight. There are even yoga rooms, Kids’ spots, and an observation deck if you have a longer wait.
And if you want to see what my time at SFO was actually like, come along with me on my YouTube channel. And don’t forget to visit the Travel For Phoebe blog for more travel guides, tips and inspiration from around the world.