San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, US · 21 km (13 mi) south of downtown San Francisco
Getting to the city
| Mode | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| BART Rapid transit · Every 10-15 min day/evening; less frequent late night | 30 min in-vehicle; ~35-40 min including wait and AirTrain | $10-11 one way SFO–central SF (Clipper) |
| Caltrain Regional rail via transfer · Core service often every 30-60 min; denser at rush hour, thinner late evenings | Approx 60-75 min SFO–Palo Alto with transfers | Reported SFO–Peninsula combo often under $10-12 total via BART/SamTrans + Caltrain |
| Hotel shuttle Courtesy shuttle · Commonly advertised at 15-30 min intervals; riders report longer gaps late night | Typical ride 10-20 min including loops between nearby hotels | Often free for registered guests; some properties reportedly charge a small fee or bake shuttle cost into resort/parking fees |
| Kiss & Fly Drop-off mode | Varies widely with traffic; locals report 10-30 min loops at peak | $0 for curbside pickup/dropoff; parking/idle fees only if using garages |
Insider notes
Use the free AirTrain to position yourself for better food or lounge options across the terminals.
For international flights, know whether you're departing from Boarding Area A or G in the International Terminal to cut down on post-security walking.
Don’t assume your closest gate has the best amenities; explore terminals with more lounge options for a richer pre-flight experience.
Live departures
Full board →| Flight | To | Sched | Est | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN8820 | ORD | 08:15 | 14:30 | Delayed |
| LH7785 | ORD | 08:15 | 14:30 | Delayed |
| NZ9306 | ORD | 08:15 | 14:30 | Delayed |
| AC4060 | ORD | 08:15 | 14:30 | Delayed |
| VA8098 | ORD | 08:15 | 14:30 | Delayed |
San Francisco — the AirTrain, BART downtown, and planning around the fog
San Francisco International is United’s Pacific gateway and a major hub on the West Coast. It is arranged as a horseshoe of terminals — 1, 2, and 3 for domestic flights and a large International Terminal (with boarding areas A and G) — and it is tied together by an automated train that also reaches the city’s rail system.
The AirTrain
The AirTrain is a free automated people mover that circles the airport, linking all the terminals, the parking garages, the rental-car center, and the BART station. If you are connecting or just moving between buildings, it is how you get around without walking the long way. Note that domestic Terminals 1, 2, and 3 connect airside among themselves, while a transfer to or from the International Terminal — or between airlines — may involve leaving security and rescreening, so leave time.
Getting into the city
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has a station at the International Terminal, reached by the AirTrain, and runs directly into downtown San Francisco in around 30 minutes for a reasonable fare — the easiest traffic-proof route in. Taxis and rideshare are plentiful; the airport is about 21 km south of downtown, and Highway 101 can be slow at peak hours. For the South Bay and Silicon Valley, driving or a Caltrain connection may suit better.
Worth knowing
Fog is SFO’s signature operational hazard. When the marine layer rolls in, the airport’s closely spaced parallel runways can be reduced to using one at a time, which cuts arrival capacity and causes ground delays that ripple outward — most often on summer mornings. If you have a tight connection or an onward flight, a little schedule padding is wise, and don’t be surprised by a weather hold on an otherwise clear-looking day.
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Other United Airlines hubs
Where is San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is in San Francisco, US, a hub for United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
How many terminals does San Francisco International Airport have?
San Francisco International Airport has 4 terminals, handling around 50.1M passengers a year.
How do I get from San Francisco International Airport to San Francisco?
Ground options include BART, Caltrain, Hotel shuttle — BART takes about 30 min in-vehicle; ~35-40 min including wait and AirTrain ($10-11 one way SFO–central SF (Clipper)).