Lois Larson
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a popular airport for layovers, with many travellers taking the opportunity to explore the city during their stopover. While it is possible to leave the airport during a layover, there are several factors to consider, such as the length of the layover, transportation to and from the city, and the time required for clearing immigration and customs. Additionally, travellers must ensure they have the necessary documentation, such as a visa, to enter the country. With careful planning, it is possible to make the most of a layover in San Francisco and enjoy some of the city's famous sights, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alcatraz Island.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during a layover | Possible, but requires careful planning |
| Required documents | Nationality or visa |
| Transportation to the city | BART (recommended), taxi, shuttle van, Uber/Lyft, cable car |
| Transportation time | Approximately 1 hour each way |
| Time required for security checks and boarding | Approximately 1 hour |
| Time required for immigration, baggage collection, customs, and re-checking baggage | Approximately 1-2 hours |
| Recommended time to be back at the airport | At least 2 hours before the next flight |
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What You'll Learn
- You can leave the airport during a layover, but you'll need a visa
- You must clear immigration and customs
- There is no sterile transit area for international flights
- You'll need to factor in travel time to and from the city
- There are various transport options, including BART, taxi, shuttle van, and Uber/Lyft
You can leave the airport during a layover, but you'll need a visa
If you're travelling through San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and want to leave the airport during your layover, you'll need to ensure you have the right documentation and allow enough time for security and travel to and from the city.
Firstly, check that you have the right to leave the airport and enter the United States. If you are travelling from country A to country C and have a layover in country B, you can only exit the airport and enter country B if you have the right to reside in or visit that country. This means having the required nationality or a visa. For example, if you are a non-US citizen, you will need a US Visa to leave SFO during your layover. It is not possible to obtain a US Visa onsite in the US, so you must arrange this before your trip.
Once you have confirmed you have the correct documentation, you will need to factor in the time it takes to clear immigration, travel to and from San Francisco city, and go through security again before your next flight. With a long layover, it is possible to leave the airport, but you will need to plan carefully. For example, with a 7-hour layover, you may only have 1-2 hours to explore the city. It takes approximately 1 hour to travel from SFO to central San Francisco by public transport (BART) or taxi/ride-share, and you should allow another hour for security check and boarding at the airport.
If you are travelling with checked luggage, you will need to pick it up, go through US customs, and drop it off again before you can leave the airport. This process can vary in time, but it is recommended to allow at least 2 hours for arrival processes and to be back at the airport 2-3 hours before your next flight, depending on whether it is domestic or international.
With careful planning and allowing enough time, it is possible to leave SFO during a layover and explore San Francisco.
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You must clear immigration and customs
If you are travelling through San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and want to leave the airport during your layover, you must clear immigration and customs. This is a standard procedure for international flights, and you will need to factor in the time taken for this when planning your trip.
When arriving at SFO, you will need to go through US immigration and customs. This can take some time, especially at peak travel times. You will need to collect your luggage, go through immigration, and then customs, before dropping off your luggage again. This process can take up to two hours, and you will need to go through security again when you return to the airport. Therefore, it is important to plan carefully and allow enough time for these procedures.
US immigration and customs procedures are required for all international travellers, even if you are only in transit and not ending your journey in the US. This is because, unlike some other countries, the US does not have a sterile transit area for international flights. As a result, all passengers must go through the full immigration and customs process, which can be time-consuming.
To expedite the process, you can enrol in the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry program, which provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Additionally, the Mobile Passport app allows eligible arriving guests to submit passport and customs declaration information electronically, which can speed up the process.
It is important to note that you will need a US visa to clear immigration and customs, even if you are only in transit. This is a requirement for entering the US, even if you are not planning to leave the airport during your layover. Without the appropriate visa, you will not be permitted to enter the country, and your connecting flight will be affected.
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There is no sterile transit area for international flights
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) does not have a sterile transit area for international flights. This means that passengers arriving on international flights at SFO are subject to customs and immigration inspections.
A sterile zone at an airport is a highly controlled secure area that arriving international passengers can enter without formally entering the country by clearing arrival customs and immigration controls. Similarly, departing passengers can formally exit the country by clearing exit immigration controls. These zones are usually found at international airports, and while they are exempt from local immigration and customs laws, they are under the jurisdiction of the country in which they are located, and local laws apply.
Since SFO does not have a sterile transit area, passengers with international-to-international connections will need to go through US immigration and TSA security to catch their connecting flight. They will also need to pick up their luggage, go through US customs, and drop off their luggage again. Passengers arriving on domestic flights can walk to their next gate without exiting and re-entering security.
To transfer between terminals at SFO, passengers can walk or ride the AirTrain, the airport's automated terminal transit system.
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You'll need to factor in travel time to and from the city
If you're planning to leave San Francisco International Airport (SFO) during a layover, you'll need to factor in travel time to and from the city. The airport is located about 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of downtown San Francisco. There are several transportation options available to get to and from the city:
- Public Transportation: The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system provides direct service from SFO to downtown San Francisco. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes, and the BART station is located in the International Terminal. Allow about one hour each way for travel between the city centre and the airport.
- Taxi, Shuttle Van, or Ride-share: These options are also available, but they can be more expensive and may involve longer wait times. Uber/Lyft rides from the airport are known to be costly and often involve long waits.
- Driving: If you plan to drive, allow enough time for traffic and parking. SFO recommends that travellers use public transportation or share rides whenever possible.
When planning your time outside the airport, keep in mind that you'll need to allow time for clearing immigration, collecting your baggage, going through customs, and re-checking your bags for your onward flight. This process can take one to two hours. Additionally, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Therefore, with travel time and airport procedures, you may have only one or two hours left to explore the city during your layover.
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There are various transport options, including BART, taxi, shuttle van, and Uber/Lyft
San Francisco International Airport is located 21 kilometers south of the city. There are various transport options to get from the airport to downtown San Francisco, including BART, taxi, shuttle van, and Uber/Lyft.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system, or BART, is one of the cheapest ways to get from San Francisco International Airport to the city center. Trains leave frequently, and it's easy to follow signs in the airport to locate the platform. The journey from the airport to downtown San Francisco takes around 20-30 minutes. BART operates a rapid rail service to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco, and the East Bay directly from the airport. The SFO BART Station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (G Gates side).
One of the most convenient ways to get from the airport to the city is by taxi, although it is not the most affordable option. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown San Francisco can cost around $60, and to the Fisherman's Wharf area, it can cost around $20 per person. For groups of two or more people, a taxi can be a preferable, faster, and sometimes cheaper option than public transportation.
The company SanTrans operates three lines that connect the airport with the city's downtown area: 292, 397, and KX. These lines end at the Transbay Terminal on Market Street. The 292 and 397 are regular lines that fill up as they get further from the airport, so they may not be the best choice for travelers with multiple heavy bags. Tickets for these lines are typically under $2.50, making them a very affordable option. The KX line is less likely to fill up, so luggage is less of an issue. Tickets for this line are around $4.
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are also popular options for getting from the airport to the city. These services allow you to book ahead of time, know the likely cost of your trip in advance, and follow your journey through GPS.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave the airport during your layover in San Francisco, but you will need to go through immigration and customs and ensure you have enough time to get back through security to catch your next flight. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.
It is recommended that you allow for one hour to get through security and board your flight.
It takes about one hour to get to the city centre from the airport by public transport (BART).
