Hi
on monday I'm flying LHR-SYD via SFO. I have 5hrs in transit at SFO, and have a friend who lives 15 minutes from the airport.

He's offered to take me out for a beer/some food, but what are my chances (and will it be worth it) to get out of the airport and back in. I can't imagine customs would be too pleased with it....

any ideas/experience please?

Any help appreciated

cheers

PS - I'm a UK passport holder......

You're going to have to clear customs no matter what since you're transitting the US... There's really no other option. Once you pass immigration, you're in the US anyhow since the exit from the immigrations hall @ SFO dumps you streetside. Go out and have some beer and fun :)

I've never transitioned from one foreign country to another through SFO and I think you might have to go through customs anyway -- the planes don't land at the int'l boarding areas, unless there's another way from arrivals to departures; I've never had to look. Customs is pretty quick at SFO and the int'l terminal is awesome. ^ 5 hours? You're fine. I've arrived for int'l flights one hour before departure w/o problem. The int'l terminal has an int'l food court by the check in areas you could meet your friend at.

You're going to have to clear customs no matter what since you're transitting the US... There's really no other option. Once you pass immigration, you're in the US anyhow since the exit from the immigrations hall @ SFO dumps you streetside. Go out and have some beer and fun :)
What he said on all counts! ^

There are lots of bars and restauarants around SFO, so go out and have some fun! Every once in a while I even see uniformed flight attendants in nearby grocery stores (stocking up for long int'l flights?), so a quick jaunt out to nearby areas is very feasible.

I've never transited SFO as it's my own airport. Will you go through customs without claiming and rechecking baggage? If so, you could probably get back to the airport an hour before departure and you'll be fine, since you'll already have a boarding pass. If re-checking bags, I'd personally allow a little longer, but that's just me.

is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?

I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???

is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?

I've only once been in transit without stopping in the US, but that was back in 2000 and I have a stamp in my passport.......???

Yes. You definitely need to go through customs.

is that definate then? You have to go thru customs no matter what?
Yes, the US now requires all international transit pax to disembark and clear customs--no exceptions. Stupid policy, but it is what it is.

Remember there are MANY countries where it's very hard to get a visa and you must obtain one just to TRANSIT that country.

I just got a Russian visa... not too bad, but a pain. I've heard that Chinese visas are harder (and that they require one to transit China).

thanks for your help guys....

was wondering what to do with that 5hrs anyway - looks like I might get a taste of San Fran after all

I've never transited SFO as it's my own airport. Will you go through customs without claiming and rechecking baggage? If so, you could probably get back to the airport an hour before departure and you'll be fine, since you'll already have a boarding pass. If re-checking bags, I'd personally allow a little longer, but that's just me.

You should be able to check your baggage through to LHR when you check in at SYD, and then you pick up your luggage after immigration but before customs, and then drop it off at the counter just past customs, so all of that will be taken care of before you leave the airport.

I've never had any trouble with SFO international security -- I think getting back to SFO an hour before your flight will be plenty of time...

Definitely get out of the airport when you're here!
In fact, even if your friend ditches you, you should hop on BART and head into SF anyway (it's a quick hop-skip-and-jump (assuming you've dropped off your luggage; otherwise the skipping is a bit more difficult) from the International terminal)...

Dan

Yes, the US now requires all international transit pax to disembark and clear customs--no exceptions. Stupid policy, but it is what it is.
US airports are simply not designed for international to international connections. In many cases, there are domestic and international flights leaving from the same terminal.

Yes, the US now requires all international transit pax to disembark and clear customs--no exceptions. Stupid policy, but it is what it is.

In general, so does FRA when coming inbound from the US and connecting to other countries in Europe.

The only airports that you don't seem to need to do this are aisian airports.

He's offered to take me out for a beer/some food, but what are my chances (and will it be worth it) to get out of the airport and back in. I can't imagine customs would be too pleased with it....

any ideas/experience please?



Hi there

You would be wise to follow all the above sagely advice! I do this very same thing about three times per year. Yes you do need to clear custom and yes it it is well worth while getting out of the airport. Even if you were not being met the Bart will drop you in town and if you really need it, the travel agency will look after your bags for a fee

Customs will of course not bat an eyelid. Also, given you have an onward international flight you will have a lower chance of the dreaded SSSS

Jeff

.......Customs will of course not bat an eyelid. Also, given you have an onward international flight you will have a lower chance of the dreaded SSSS

Jeff



SSSS???? :confused:

SSSS????
"Special" attention from the screeners. Not quite as intrusive as a BCS (body cavity search).

I think that immigrations is far more of an issue than customs.

Moved the San Francisco forum for the sake of future searching.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

I have a 10 hour layover at SFO this week during a mileage run land 2:35 with redeye at 12:30 Am on NW.

Any suggestions reagrding how to kill 10 hours near or in SFO?

Thanks

There are actually quite a few threads about how to kill time in and around SFO. Here is one of my favorite threads (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585127) about things to do in SF. You might have to use some cleverness, but search out the SF board, and maybe even the UA board, and you should find other recommendations...10 hours should allow you enough time to do almost anything you want

Edited: ALso, check out this FT feature (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/f-468-p-1.html), which should make your searching a bit easier...threads 381, 500, and 507 might be particularly relevant

I may be a little unusual in this regard, but (particularly if it is a weekend) I'd probably priceline a hotel south of the airport and catch a good long nap and have dinner at Kincaids (http://www.kincaids.com/index.php)

Hello!

I have a one-time-use RCC pass in my hands.

I'll be flying TPE-NGO-SFO-ORD.

I have a seven hour layover in SFO.
**EDIT: I miscalculated. I get in around 8am and leave 5pm, so it's actually a nine hour layover.**

Questions:

1. When I arrive, I'll arrive in the international terminal, correct?

2. I'm assuming I'll need to pick up my luggage immediately (for Customs). Do I need to take my luggage over to the domestic terminal, or is there somewhere I can drop them off in the international terminal?

3. I've read that there are multiple RCCs at SFO. Which one should I go to?

If someone experienced with SFO could help me work out a time line of when I should be where, that would be immensely helpful (i.e. proceed to Customs immediately upon disembarking the plane, take care of luggage at XYZ point, find ABC RCC, hang out there for five hours, go to domestic terminal one hour prior to flight departure time).

Thank you!

P.S. Is the one-time-use RCC pass truly one-time-use, or can I use it at both the NGO RCC and SFO RCC, provided I'll be passing through them consecutively? It'd be nice to have somewhere to stay during my 1-2 hour layover in NGO.

When I arrive, I'll arrive in the international terminal, correct?
I'm assuming I'll need to pick up my luggage immediately (for Customs). Do I need to take my luggage over to the domestic terminal, or is there somewhere I can drop them off in the international terminal?
I've read that there are multiple RCCs at SFO. Which one should I go to?

Yes.
I believe you need to take them over to the domestic terminal to get re-checked. It's not far, though.
None of the above. If you're in SF for seven hours, take BART into the city, get some good food, and look around!

Is the one-time-use RCC pass truly one-time-use, or can I use it at both the NGO RCC and SFO RCC, provided I'll be passing through them consecutively?
Yes, it is truly a one-time use card.

I would leave the airport. I have never had a layover in SFO since that is where I depart from, but I did have to wait 6 hours for a flight after dropping someone off for an earlier flight. In this case my brother and I spent our time at Artichoke Joes which is a poker room about a couple miles away ^. If you like cards give it a try! They are also open 24/7 so if you are there at weird hours it may help.

I agree with mahasamatman. A layover of that length will allow you to take Bart to downtown SF to get some good food and then head back to the airport with plenty of time for your connection. My suggestion would be to take Bart to the Embarcadero Station and then walk to the Ferry Building for some shopping and grazing. This is an even better idea if your travel is on a Sunday - there's a huge farmer's market with lots of interesting food to try.

If you stay at SFO, your only option will be the domestic RCC, which leaves much to be desired when compared to pretty much every international club and most other airlines' domestic clubs. It's big, but it's crowded, has limited food, no free drinks, no showers, dirty restrooms and numerous loud guys talking on their cell phones about their Q4 sales numbers. I'd skip it in favor of using the NGO RCC and then heading into SF for your layover at SFO.

My suggestion would be to take Bart to the Embarcadero Station and then walk to the Ferry Building for some shopping and grazing.
If you decide to do that, and it's a weekday, drop me a line - I work across the street from the Ferry Building.

if you don't want to go into town, you have the option of standing by for an earlier ORD flight :)

2. I believe you need to take [bags] over to the domestic terminal to get re-checked. It's not far, though.When I last arrived at SFO from Sydney, there was a baggage recheck in the international terminal just after customs, on the left iirc, before walking over to the north terminal. I suppose it might not always be staffed, but there were three friendly guys with a CTX and a conveyor, ready to snag a tagged bag and send them on their way.

Definetely recommend going into the city...I had a three hour layover at SFO once, managed to get into the city, grab a bite to eat, and make it back with time to spare to catch my flight. BART is a 30 minute ride into San Francisco, with schedules available online, so it's pretty easy to plan out, down to which train to catch.

7 hour layover? Heck, you can get *2* meals in that time. SFO-S.F. proper is a breeze on BART. If you want Mexican/Central American, get off at 24th St./Mission. Indian - 16th St or Powell. Any other cuisines, get off downtown at either Monty or Emby.

If you decide to follow the excellent suggestions above to go to SF, be sure to check the weather forecast (or look out the window on approach). We've just entered the winter storm season, so depending on when you get here, walking around outside might not be a pleasant experience. Then again, if you compare it ORD, you're probably still going to enjoy it :)

7 hour connection time, 2 hours for CBP and re-checking of your luggage gives you 5. take the BART downtown somewhere, you've got 2.5-3 hours, assuming you're not a man that likes to take chances with security lineups :)

RAOUL!!!

Then again, if you compare it ORD, you're probably still going to enjoy it :)

Hah! yes, I love walking around watching all the fools wearing scarves. SF is hardly one of the coldest areas of the country. :) One can walk between clubs and wait in line in a nice t-shirt, whereas ORD you have to bundle up just to walk next door.

I vote popping into the city if you don't catch an earlier flight. Even on a gloomy day SF is a lot of fun. Go ride a cable car! Pop over to Alcatraz (ok, that would probably cut things close)! Meet some of the nice local FTers!

Dunno why people are slamming on the SFO RCC, it has some of the nicest matrons (an undeserving name by association only), and it's not as if it's a Ritz at only $300/year. Certainly one of the nicest in the system.

My suggestion would be to take Bart to the Embarcadero Station and then walk to the Ferry Building for some shopping and grazing. This is an even better idea if your travel is on a Sunday - there's a huge farmer's market with lots of interesting food to try.


I certainly don't claim to be an expert on SF, but if you like rotisserie chicken, Mistral Rotisserie in the Ferry Building is wonderful. If the weather is good, you can eat outside and watch the ferries come and go.

If you did want to use the RCC, for whatever reason, there is only one choice. The one in the domestic terminal.

Also, there is no RCC in NGO, and only a contracted lounge, where your pass would not be good anyway.

Head into the city on BART and visit Union Sq. and Ferry Building. You also have enuff time to probably go thru Chinatown too.

Head into the city on BART and visit Union Sq. and Ferry Building. You also have enuff time to probably go thru Chinatown too.
Union Square isn't all that interesting.

I certainly don't claim to be an expert on SF, but if you like rotisserie chicken, Mistral Rotisserie in the Ferry Building is wonderful. If the weather is good, you can eat outside and watch the ferries come and go.

I love Mistral! There's almost nothing better than potatoes roasted under the rotating chickens.

I certainly don't claim to be an expert on SF, but if you like rotisserie chicken, Mistral Rotisserie in the Ferry Building is wonderful. If the weather is good, you can eat outside and watch the ferries come and go.
------------
You can go to the Castro and watch them too! :D

Union Square isn't all that interesting.
-----------
Well, there is Victoria's Secret. ^

Union Square isn't all that interesting.

I don't think so either, but you know a lot of people love to shop and browse.

I'd rather go to the Asian Art Museum and SFMOMA if I was down near Market.

I love Mistral! There's almost nothing better than potatoes roasted under the rotating chickens.
I'll have to try that. I usually go to Portico (Mission and First) for chicken.

Definitely make your way into the city. SFO really isn't that far from downtown. Here a few suggestions when you're there:
1) SF MOMA: http://www.sfmoma.org/
2) De Young Museum (it's in Golden Gate Park, cab it or bus it from downtown): http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
3) Ferry Building: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
4) Shopping? Union Square area;
5) Walk up to Coit tower for a beautiful view of the bay: http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
6) And if you're hardcore, rent a bike a cross the GG bridge: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/

Yes, definitely the Ferry Building Marketplace. While you are there, pop into the Hyatt Regency Hotel and take in the Christmas ginger bread decorations.
When you are hungry and feel like having Italian, try the Umbria (2nd @ Mission), not far from the Hyatt. Skip Union Square unless you need to do some shopping.

2) De Young Museum (it's in Golden Gate Park, cab it or bus it from downtown): http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/
It was a beautiful building before they tore it down and replaced it with this monstrosity of modern architorture.

Definitely take BART to downtown SF -- i would get off at Powell, exit to street, buy a day ticket for MUNI and ride cable car to Fishermans wharf, view of GG bridge, Alcatraz, etc. have drink at Buena Vista, take streetcar to Ferry Building, browse (also could eat here). Alternate stop off at Chinatown on way to wharf. Take BART from Embarkadero back to SFO. Old hippies could take BART all the way to Berkeley for a day on Telegraph Ave and Peoples Park.

If you head to Chinatown you might as well stop by North Beach and have a good cafe with some nice Italian pastries.

I have a one-time-use RCC pass in my hands.
I'll be flying TPE-NGO-SFO-ORD.
I have a seven hour layover in SFO.
**EDIT: I miscalculated. I get in around 8am and leave 5pm, so it's actually a nine hour layover.**

Questions:
1. When I arrive, I'll arrive in the international terminal, correct?
2. I'm assuming I'll need to pick up my luggage immediately (for Customs). Do I need to take my luggage over to the domestic terminal, or is there somewhere I can drop them off in the international terminal?
3. I've read that there are multiple RCCs at SFO. Which one should I go to?

P.S. Is the one-time-use RCC pass truly one-time-use, or can I use it at both the NGO RCC and SFO RCC, provided I'll be passing through them consecutively? It'd be nice to have somewhere to stay during my 1-2 hour layover in NGO.

ANSWERS:
1. Yes, you will arrive in SFO at the International G numbered gates:
http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash/gettingaround/terminalmaps.htm

2. Yes, you must deplane in SFO, pass through passport control, wait to pick up your checked luggage and clear customs. Next, take the "connecting flights" exit. In that corridor, there should be airline personnel around to put your checked luggage onto the conveyor belt there. You do NOT need to walk over to United's domestic Terminal 3 to re-check your bags unless you want to. It is a very short walk if you want to explore a bit.

3. Yes, there are multiple RCCs in SFO: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1121,00.html (Domestic Terminal 3 RCC, International Terminal G RCC, there is also an International First Lounge in International Terminal G) however you can only access ONE of the RCCs based upon your itinerary (this will become self-explanatory when you deplane in SFO, since you will arrive on the international arrivals level with nothing except immigrations/customs, no shops or a place to sit, except for a toilet) so your only choices are, to keep the RCC one-time pass (unless it will expire soon) or to use it in the Domestic Terminal 3 RCC.

Just a heads-up, you must deplane in NGO. Also, like another FT member stated, there is NO RCC in NGO (I try to fly through NRT if the fares are the same because the NRT RCC is beautiful, there are showers available, and also do a search for the famous "beer machine" there. If you're bored in NGO and want to pass time before your flight, you can clear immigration to get a sticker in your passport and come back in to get another stamp. Either way there will be another security screening before you board your flight to SFO.

Yes, your one-time RCC pass will be collected upon its use.

Note: Your flight from NGO will most likely arrive early into SFO with the crazy winter tailwinds. You could stay in the airport and just walk around the terminals. You can take the free 24-hour AirTrain (two lines: Red & Blue) around the terminals: http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash...d/airtrain.htm

You could walk outside, curbside departures level, and wait for the Long-Term parking shuttle bus:
http://www.flysfo.com/transport/park..._prk_long.html
It also runs 24 hours a day. Ride it all the way to the garage and back, you'll get great views of the airport Christmas lights!

To ride BART (BART is like the MRT in Taipei, but just more expensive) into San Francisco, follow the directions on this page:
http://www.flysfo.com/transport/services/gt_tsv_search.asp?gt_mode_id=4
The BART station is in the international terminal departures level. Be sure to stop by the "Reflection Room" on the right, just before the BART station.

Depending on the day of week you are in SFO, you can visit the Aviation Library & Museum in the International Terminal: http://www.sfoarts.org/about/alm.html
The hours are: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM Sunday through Friday, closed Saturdays and holidays.

Have fun! Happy Holidays!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/business/31flier.html

San Francisco International Airport is also among my favorites. I usually have at least an hour layover there, so I rush to Chinatown for dim sum. I’m a tourist in a town where I’ve spent thousands of hours working.

Did I miss something? He makes it to Chinatown and back in an hour? :confused:

Maybe he thinks Chinatown is over in Millbrae.

So he spent thousands of hours working in Millbrae, thinking it was San Francisco! That would be fun. :) :) :)

Hi

I will fly via SFO to SEA on Aug 18th. I'll arrive in SFO arround 10:30 pm and fly to SEA at 6:05 am. Can I stay during the night in the UA lounge or which hotel is the closest to the airport? What would you do in my situation? :)

Regards
Michael

Hi

I will fly via SFO to SEA on Aug 18th. I'll arrive in SFO arround 10:30 pm and fly to SEA at 6:05 am. Can I stay during the night in the UA lounge

No. http://www.united.com/page/article/0,1360,50352,00.html

or which hotel is the closest to the airport?

Since that is not really a UA-specific question, suggest you do a search or post in the San Francisco forum.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=468

how about the rollling motel:
http://www.siliconvalleydebug.com/story/060107/stories/motel22.html

just kidding.

There are lots of hotels near SFO that have shuttle vans. Sleep in a bed; take a shower.

Any motel you could recommend specifically with a shuttle?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

I would recommend the Westin. It is really nice and you can walk to a in-n-out burger and a small mart. If you use one of the airport accomodation forms you can get it for as low as $79.

Hi

I'll arrive in SFO at 22:30 on the 18th of August and leave at 6:05 on the 19th. What would you recommend me to do? Is there any place open in the airport to drink something during the night maybe with free wireless internet or is there a motel you could recommend with a 24 hour shuttle? And would this be worth it since I probably have to get up again at 4:00 am?

Definitely use Priceline. I've gotten the Hyatt SFO for $50 and the Doubletree has also come up before.

Personally, I'd have an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista and then find a corner of the terminal to catch a few hours of ZZZZ's. I've slept in worse places.

Unfortunately I probably can't use priceline as European (Switzerland) :(

Moving this to the San Francisco Forum...

FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United Mileage Plus Forum

Definitely use Priceline. I've gotten the Hyatt SFO for $50 and the Doubletree has also come up before.

Quite right. ^

We got the Doubletree for $47 in April. Free shuttle to and from the airport. BiddingForTravel (http://p070.ezboard.com/California--San-Francisco/fpricelineandexpediabiddingsanfranciscobayarea) will give you a good idea what it might take to get a bid accepted.

Unfortunately I probably can't use priceline as European (Switzerland) :(

Why not?

Unfortunately I probably can't use priceline as European (Switzerland) :(


Should be working if you make your swiss home adress look like an US one,
- meaning a ZIP code with 5-digits instead only 4 in Switzerland
- choose any US-State as you like, unfortunately no CH available (DE works well for Germany)
- enter phone number in XXX-XXX-XXXX format

I use Priceline quite often, never had any problems and dont have an US-Adress or US based CC.

good luck

starbucks

BE CAREFUL that the hotel you choose has a shuttle running early enough. Stupid me booked a good park-n-fly rate at the HGI SFO North, and had to pay nearly $20 for a taxi from South SF to get to the airport early enough for a 6am flight w/checked luggage. I'd expect the Westin and Hyatt to have 24 hour service, but you better check.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

I would recommend the Westin. It is really nice and you can walk to a in-n-out burger and a small mart. If you use one of the airport accomodation forms you can get it for as low as $79.

I thought about doing this with the zip code but doesn't this cause any trouble?
And how exactly does this priceline work, can I just suggest 50$ for a night in the hilton that night and when do they accept or decline this?

Is there any restaurant or starbucks open all night with wireless internet?

Sorry have to push this again since I'm leaving in a few days and don't know if I need to book a hotel or not. As far as I've seen, the last coffe shop closes at 1am. Is there wireless internet in the airport? And I've never been at an airport during the night: Do they close the airport or can I stay inside?

Sorry have to push this again since I'm leaving in a few days and don't know if I need to book a hotel or not. As far as I've seen, the last coffe shop closes at 1am. Is there wireless internet in the airport? And I've never been at an airport during the night: Do they close the airport or can I stay inside?

There is wireless Internet in much of SFO, but it is not free. I don't know if you will be allowed to stay in the airport, but I would never even consider sleeping at SFO (or any airport), even for just a few hours. Airport hotels are cheap and many provide free shuttles. If this were me, I'd get a room at the Westin and get some real sleep.

Agree.

It's T-Mobile at SFO and it's not free.

www.sleepinginairports.com although some reports are rather dated

I wouldn't want to sleep at the airport, just stay in the airport and surf a bit the internet, watch dvds etc. I just don't think it's worth to pay about 100 bucks (the cheapest I've found in a decent hotel) for about 3 hours sleep...