
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, primarily in unincorporated San Mateo County on the San Francisco Peninsula, next to the San Francisco Bay. The airport is accessible via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which connects the airport directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area. The AirTrain, a fully automated and free people-mover system, connects each terminal, the international terminal garages, the BART station, and the airport's Rental Car Center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) |
| Location | 13-14 miles south of downtown San Francisco |
| County | San Mateo County |
| Highway | U.S. Route 101 |
| Nearby Interchange | Interstate 380 |
| Nearby Freeway | Bayshore Freeway |
| Nearby Cities | Oakland, San Francisco |
| Nearby Bay | San Francisco Bay |
| Train Service | Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) |
| Train Cost | $10 one-way |
| Train Stations | San Francisco International Airport station |
| Train Destinations | San Francisco, Oakland, and numerous other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area |
| Bus Service | SamTrans |
| Bus Stops | Arrivals/baggage claim level of the domestic terminals and in courtyard A or G in the International Terminal |
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What You'll Learn

San Francisco International Airport is 13-14 miles south of San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 13-14 miles south of downtown San Francisco. The airport is situated primarily in unincorporated San Mateo County on the San Francisco Peninsula, nestled between the Bayshore Freeway (U.S. Highway 101) and the picturesque San Francisco Bay.
SFO is conveniently accessible via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), with a direct connection from any downtown San Francisco station for just $10 one way. The SFO BART station is seamlessly integrated with the airport's International Terminal, allowing travellers to effortlessly hop on the AirTrain to reach their designated gates.
The AirTrain is a fully automated and complimentary people-mover system that effortlessly connects all four terminals, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, the Grand Hyatt hotel, and the airport's Rental Car Center. This efficient system ensures seamless navigation within the airport complex.
San Francisco International Airport has been a pivotal gateway to the Bay Area since it began operations on May 27, 1927. Originally named Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco, it underwent a series of name changes before settling on its current moniker post-World War II to reflect the growing international air service at SFO.
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It is located in unincorporated San Mateo County
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in unincorporated San Mateo County, about 14 miles south of San Francisco. The airport has been operating in the same location since 27 May 1927, and the City and County of San Francisco purchased the land in 1930. The airport is situated between the Bayshore Freeway (U.S. Highway 101) and the San Francisco Bay.
Due to its location in San Mateo County, the City and County of San Francisco have agreements in place to allow the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments to operate at the airport. Crime scene processing, investigations, arrests, and coroner inquiries are handled by or through San Mateo County facilities.
San Mateo County's transit agency, SamTrans, provides bus services to the airport, connecting it to various locations across the San Francisco Bay Area. The buses stop at the arrivals/baggage claim level of the domestic terminals and in courtyard A or G in the International Terminal.
The airport is easily accessible by public transportation, including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). BART trains connect the airport directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities in the Bay Area. The SFO BART station is located west of the International Terminal, and passengers can board the AirTrain to reach their gates. The AirTrain is a fully automated and free people-mover system that connects all terminals, garages, and the Rental Car Center.
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The airport is on US Route 101
San Francisco International Airport is located on US Route 101, around 13 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco. The airport is situated in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, which lies between the Bayshore Freeway (US Highway 101) and the San Francisco Bay. The airport has been operating from this location since 27 May 1927, with the land being purchased by the City and County of San Francisco in 1930.
US Route 101 is a significant roadway in the region, and the airport's proximity to it facilitates convenient access for travellers. The route allows for connections to other major roadways, such as the interchange with Interstate 380, which then connects to Interstate 280. This provides efficient transportation options for those travelling to and from the airport by road.
Being located on US Route 101 offers advantages for those utilising both personal vehicles and public transportation. The roadway is likely to be a busy corridor, serving a substantial number of commuters and travellers alike. The location of the airport along this route ensures its connectivity to the wider road network, making it easily accessible for those approaching from various directions.
In addition to road transport, the airport also offers a range of other transportation options. It is served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), providing direct connections to San Francisco, Oakland, and numerous other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area. This offers an efficient and cost-effective alternative for those who prefer not to drive or take a taxi.
The airport's location on US Route 101, combined with its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, contributes to its accessibility and prominence as a transportation hub. The surrounding infrastructure, including roadways and public transport networks, further enhances its connectivity, ensuring efficient travel to and from the airport for locals and visitors alike.
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It is connected to the Bay Area by the AirTrain
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, primarily in unincorporated San Mateo County on the San Francisco Peninsula, next to the San Francisco Bay. The airport has been operating in the same location since 27 May 1927 and was originally named Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco.
The airport is connected to the Bay Area by the AirTrain, a fully automated and free people mover system. It operates 24 hours a day on two lines—the Red Line and the Blue Line—both of which run every four minutes. The AirTrain connects each terminal, the two international terminal garages, the BART station, the Grand Hyatt hotel, the airport's Rental Car Center, and the Long-Term Parking garage. The BART trains connect the airport directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and numerous other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area. SamTrans, San Mateo County's transit agency, also serves the airport with several bus routes.
The AirTrain system was built by Bombardier Transportation and is composed of 38 Innovia APM 100 cars coupled in trains of up to three cars. The APM 100 cars are also used in airports in Tampa, Denver, Atlanta, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, and Madrid. The AirTrain is funded by a fee charged to rental car customers.
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SFO is one of America's largest airports
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 12 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, between the Bayshore Freeway (U.S. Highway 101) and the San Francisco Bay. It is one of America's largest airports, serving as the primary international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2010, the airport ranked 9th in the United States in terms of passengers and 13th in terms of air cargo tonnage.
SFO is a major hub for United Airlines, serving as its primary transpacific gateway and a major maintenance facility. The airport also functions as a hub for Alaska Airlines and is served by numerous other domestic and international carriers. SFO offers non-stop service to numerous domestic and international destinations, with over 39.7 million passengers served in Fiscal Year 2010-11.
The airport is well-connected to the surrounding area, with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains providing direct connections to San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities across the Bay Area. SFO also has a comprehensive network of bus routes and shuttle services, and a fully automated people-mover system, known as the AirTrain, which connects the airport's terminals, parking garages, and the Rental Car Center.
In addition to its size and operational capacity, SFO is notable for its focus on art and culture. The airport is home to the SFO Museum, which was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 1999 and features permanent artwork and temporary exhibitions in over 20 galleries. The Aviation Museum and Library, located in the International Terminal, further enhances the airport's cultural offerings.
SFO has also received recognition for its overall experience, being ranked as the top large U.S. airport by the Wall Street Journal in 2022. The ranking considered various factors, including on-time performance, security checkpoint wait times, and customer satisfaction scores.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 13 to 14 miles south of downtown San Francisco, primarily in unincorporated San Mateo County on the San Francisco Peninsula, next to the San Francisco Bay.
You can take a taxi or hire a rideshare. Alternatively, you can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train, which connects the airport directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and numerous other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area.
SFO is one of America's largest airports, with four terminals and seven concourses. The airport features an Aviation Museum and Library, as well as the SFO Museum, which was the first museum in an international airport. The airport also has numerous dining and shopping options.
The largest airlines at SFO include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines, among others.































