Lois Larson
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the only major airport serving San Francisco. It offers nonstop flights to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US. SFO is located 11 miles away from the city center and is easily accessible by BART trains, which connect the airport with downtown San Francisco and other Bay Area destinations. When arriving at SFO, passengers need to go through immigration, customs, and baggage claim before proceeding to their next flight or destination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San Francisco International Airport |
| Airport Code | SFO |
| Location | 11 miles from the city center |
| Connections to City | BART trains, Yellow Line, Red Line |
| Rental Cars | Available at the Rental Car Center |
| Nonstop Destinations | Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US |
| Number of Destinations | 80+ |
| Number of Carriers | 10 |
| Number of Nonstop Destinations | 16 |
| Number of Carriers for Nonstop Destinations | 11, 17, 5, 80+ |
| Airlines | United, Alaska, American, Frontier, Southwest, Delta |
| Immigration | Interviews conducted in English |
| Customs | All checked luggage must be collected for screening |
| Domestic Connections | Terminal change required; ample time needed for security |
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What You'll Learn
Airlines offering direct flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is served by 53 airlines, connecting the city to 177 airports worldwide. United Airlines is the most popular airline offering direct flights to San Francisco, flying directly from 104 cities. United is also the largest airline at SFO by the number of departures, with around 1719 scheduled take-offs every week.
Several other airlines offer direct flights to San Francisco from various destinations. These include:
- Alaska Airlines, which flies directly from 26 cities
- Delta Airlines, which flies directly from 9 cities
- American Airlines, which flies directly from 8 cities
- Southwest Airlines, which flies directly from 10 cities
- Frontier Airlines, which flies directly from 12 cities
Internationally, United Airlines operates direct flights to San Francisco from several countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, and Belize. Other international airlines offering direct flights to San Francisco include Qantas, Air Canada, Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, and British Airways, among others.
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Transport options from SFO to downtown San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located just 11 miles from the city centre, and there are several transport options for travellers heading downtown.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a rail service that connects the airport with northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay. The SFO BART Station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (G Gates side). It can be accessed from any terminal via the AirTrain, a free service that operates from Garage G/BART Station. Fares are calculated based on mileage, and tickets can be purchased at the station or through the Clipper Card system, which allows travellers to pay with their mobile devices or smartwatches.
Caltrain provides another rail option between San Francisco and San Jose, with transfers available at Millbrae Station. This service operates 7 days a week, although there are fewer trains on weekends.
SamTrans operates a bus service to and from the airport 24/7, with Route 292 stopping directly at the airport terminals. This route takes approximately one hour to reach downtown San Francisco.
For those who prefer private transportation, ride-share services like Uber are available, and rental cars can be picked up and dropped off at the airport's Rental Car Center.
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Cheap flight options to SFO from elsewhere in the US
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the only major airport serving San Francisco, located 11 miles from the city centre.
Cheap Flight Options to SFO
When searching for cheap flight options to SFO, it is worth bearing in mind that it is often cheaper to book flights on weekends, when demand for tickets is lower. In addition, it is usually best to book a few weeks in advance for domestic flights.
Some of the cheapest flight options to SFO from elsewhere in the US include:
- Flying with United from Chicago, starting at $188
- Flying with Alaska from Seattle, starting at $137
- Flying with United from Dallas, starting at $183
- Flying with Frontier from Atlanta, starting at $185
- Flying with Alaska from Los Angeles, starting at $107
- Flying with Alaska from New York, starting at $248
Of all the flights departing from popular cities in the US, the cheapest days for a round trip flight to San Francisco are September 4th - 10th, starting at $107.
Direct Flights to SFO
United is the most popular airline for direct flights, flying directly from 104 cities. The most frequent departures are Newark, Chicago, Houston, Denver and Washington.
Alaska offers direct flights from 26 cities, with the most frequent departures from Seattle, San Diego, Santa Ana, Los Angeles and Portland.
Frontier offers direct flights from 12 cities, most frequently from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta and Orlando.
Southwest offers direct flights from 10 cities, most frequently from San Diego, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Delta offers direct flights from 9 cities, most frequently from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Salt Lake City.
Other Options
If you are looking for last-minute flights, it is worth checking prices at Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC), as well as SFO.
Google Flights and Skyscanner are useful tools for tracking prices and finding cheap flight deals.
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Facilities available at SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is a large airport with world-class facilities, and is in fact the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second-busiest in California.
SFO offers a range of facilities for travellers passing through. There are over 70 restaurants, bars, and grab-and-go food options, with a good selection outside security in the International Terminal Main Hall. The airport also has numerous lounges, some of which are reserved exclusively for passengers flying in premium cabins, elite-tier frequent flyers, or selected credit cardholders. However, there are ways to purchase a day pass for these lounges, subject to capacity.
The airport also has a hotel, the Grand Hyatt, located at the entrance of the airport, close to the terminal buildings and parking garages. The hotel offers complimentary shuttles to and from the airport.
SFO also has a range of other amenities to make your experience at the airport enjoyable. This includes free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, charging stations, a medical clinic, yoga rooms, art exhibitions, a SkyTerrace Observation Deck, and the Berman Reflection Room for quiet meditation.
In terms of transportation, SFO is well-connected to the Bay Area and beyond. The Bay Area Rapid Transport (BART) connects the airport to San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay, with a station located on the departures level of the International Terminal. SamTrans buses also provide 24-hour service to and from the airport, with stops at Terminals 2, 3, and the International Terminal. Additionally, shared-ride and private-ride shuttles are available from each terminal, and ride-sharing services like Lyft, Uber, and Wingz are approved operators.
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Car rental options at SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a Rental Car Center, which allows travellers to pick up and drop off rental cars in one convenient, central location. The AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the Rental Car Center from the airport terminals. The AirTrain operates 24 hours a day and is fully automated, with stations located in all terminals, terminal parking garages, the Rental Car Center, and SFO's BART station.
Car Rental Companies at SFO
Several car rental companies offer their services at SFO, including:
- Budget: Budget offers a wide selection of vehicles at great rates, including luxury cars, SUVs, and vans. They provide convenient and inexpensive rental options with low rates and easy reservations.
- Avis: Avis provides a wide selection of vehicles to suit different traveller needs, including minivans, 12-passenger vans, luxury cars, and SUVs. They also offer great deals and a top-rated app for a seamless rental experience.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Enterprise offers a wide range of clean and sanitized vehicles, with online booking available for the best rates. They provide additional services like TollPass products and Damage Waiver (DW) for peace of mind during your rental period.
- Alamo Rent a Car: Alamo offers optional services like Accelerated Check-in, allowing you to skip the counter and get on the road faster. They also provide protection options like Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) for an additional daily charge.
- SIXT Rent a Car: SIXT offers a premium rental experience with a stress-free process, free cancellation, a top selection of cars, and flexible rental options. They have a wide range of vehicles, including convertibles, SUVs, minivans, and luxury models from brands like Nissan, Toyota, and BMW.
Additional Information
When returning your rental car to SFO, follow the signs for "Rental Car Return" to reach the designated area. After returning your car, you can board the AirTrain to reach your desired terminal. It is important to note that some rental companies, like Enterprise, have specific return procedures, so be sure to follow their instructions for a smooth return process.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Airlines that fly into SFO include United, Alaska, American, Frontier, Southwest, and Delta.
Allow for ample time between connecting flights to clear exit immigration, customs, and recheck any luggage before going through security again in a different domestic terminal. Expect lengthy baggage claims due to the large volume of luggage and the comprehensive screening each bag undergoes.
You can take a Yellow Line (San Francisco/Antioch) or Red Line (San Francisco/Richmond) train to one of the four downtown San Francisco BART stations. From there, it's a short walk or cab ride to most San Francisco hotels.
