The Neighborhood Of San Francisco's Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, approximately 12-14 miles from downtown San Francisco. SFO is among America's largest airports, with four terminals and seven concourses. The airport is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco and acts as a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

SFO is located in San Mateo County, California

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in San Mateo County, California. It is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area. SFO is approximately 12 miles (19 km) southeast of San Francisco and is the largest airport in the Bay Area. It is also the second-busiest airport in California, after Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In 2023, SFO was ranked as the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 29th busiest in the world by passenger traffic.

SFO has four terminals with seven concourses between them. The International Terminal is the largest in North America, covering 1.8 million square feet. It is also a visual centerpiece, with a soaring roofline and a gleaming glass-and-steel exterior. The terminal is designed to be earthquake-resistant, built on base isolators, and houses 24 gates that can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. The International Terminal features an extensive art collection, including 17 permanent, museum-quality works commissioned specifically for the site.

SFO offers nonstop flights to various destinations worldwide, including Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It serves as a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines and provides world-class facilities, shopping, and dining options. The airport is easily accessible via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), with a direct connection to the International Terminal and a seamless transfer to the AirTrain people mover, which connects all terminals and garages.

SFO is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco, and its location in San Mateo County has led to agreements allowing the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments to operate at the airport. The airport's mailing address and ZIP code are associated with San Francisco, despite its physical location in San Mateo County.

The airport is 12-14 miles from San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 12-14 miles from downtown San Francisco. The airport is situated in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County on the San Francisco Peninsula, next to the San Francisco Bay. It is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco and acts as a primary gateway to the Bay Area.

SFO is among America's largest airports, with four terminals and seven concourses. The International Terminal, a visual centerpiece, is the largest in North America, covering 1.8 million square feet. The terminal is designed to be a common-use facility, with all gates and ticketing areas shared among international airlines and several domestic carriers. The airport's four runways experience delays in overcast weather, as only two can be used when the centerlines of the parallel runway sets are too close together.

SFO offers nonstop flights to various destinations, including Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US. It is a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, providing a transpacific gateway and a major maintenance facility. The airport also boasts an award-winning dining scene, featuring renowned Vietnamese cuisine at Bun Mee in Terminals 1 and 3.

Travelers can easily access SFO from downtown San Francisco via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). BART trains provide a direct connection to the airport from the city, with a one-way trip costing only $10. The BART station is located within the International Terminal, offering convenient access to the AirTrain people mover, which transports passengers between terminals, garages, and the rental car center.

SFO is a hub for United and Alaska Airlines

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is one of the world's largest airports, with four terminals and seven concourses. SFO is a hub for United Airlines, acting as the airline's primary transpacific gateway, and a major maintenance facility. It is also a hub for Alaska Airlines.

United Airlines uses SFO as its primary gateway to the South Pacific and East Asia, with flights to destinations like Auckland, Tahiti, Singapore, and Shanghai. The airline has a dominant presence at SFO, with two United Clubs in Terminal 3. SFO is also a major maintenance facility for United.

Alaska Airlines is focused on growing its presence at SFO, particularly as a connecting hub for transpacific travel. The airline has made recent network additions to Anchorage and Mexico, as well as transcontinental flights to the East Coast. While Alaska's network out of San Francisco is relatively small compared to United, it is growing.

SFO offers nonstop flights to Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and within the US. The airport features world-class facilities, dining, and shopping options. The SFO Museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, offers free exhibition tours. The airport is easily accessible via public transportation, including BART and the AirTrain people mover.

The airport has four terminals and seven concourses

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major global transportation hub, providing travellers with easy access to the Bay Area and beyond. SFO is located approximately 12-14 miles from downtown San Francisco, in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County.

SFO is a large airport, with four terminals and seven concourses. The airport is easy to navigate, with clear signage in every terminal and concourse, directing travellers to their desired destinations. The AirTrain people mover system also helps passengers get around efficiently, connecting the terminals, parking garages, and the rental car centre.

Each terminal at SFO has its own unique features and amenities. Terminal 1, also known as the Harvey Milk Terminal, offers free exhibition tours of "Rosie the Riveter" as part of the SFO Museum programme. It also features award-winning Vietnamese cuisine at Bun Mee. Terminal 2, formerly known as the Central Terminal, includes Boarding Area D with 14 gates. This terminal has a rich history, initially serving as the main airport terminal when it opened in 1954, and later becoming the international terminal in 1983. Terminal 3 is home to two United Clubs and the American Express Centurion Lounge. In 2024, a $2.6 billion project broke ground to seismically retrofit part of Terminal 3, enhance international arrivals capabilities, and expand the security checkpoint, among other improvements.

The International Terminal, a magnificent steel and glass structure, serves as a common-use facility for various international and domestic airlines. It is composed of Boarding Areas A and G, with a total of 29 gates. This terminal showcases 17 permanent, museum-quality artworks commissioned specifically for the site, creating a unique and cultural travel experience.

SFO is accessible via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is accessible via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). SFO is located about 12-14 miles from downtown San Francisco, and BART trains connect the airport with downtown San Francisco, downtown Oakland, and many other Bay Area destinations. The BART station is located in the International Terminal, with a short walk to Terminals 1 and 3, and the AirTrain connecting to all other terminals.

BART is a convenient and affordable way to get to and from SFO, with a one-way trip from any downtown San Francisco station costing only $10. BART's fare structure is mileage-based, and the correct fare will be automatically deducted when you exit the system. To pay, simply hold your phone loaded with Clipper in your digital wallet over the fare gate card reader. Clipper is available for mobile phones through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and it is recommended to add it to your phone in advance to avoid lines at the station.

BART trains depart from the SFO International Terminal, with the first train departing at 4:58 a.m. on weekdays and 5:47 a.m. on Saturdays. It takes just 30 minutes to get to downtown San Francisco, making it a quick and easy option for travellers.

For those returning to SFO, direct service is available from downtown San Francisco and Downtown Oakland on the Yellow and Red lines. From other areas, you may need to transfer to an SFO-bound train. Upon arriving at SFO, you can walk or take the AirTrain Red Line to Terminals 1, 2, or 3 for domestic flights. The International Terminal check-in counters are also just a short walk from the BART station.

Frequently asked questions