Dec 6, 2015, 9:23 am
Last edit by: Zorak
Official SFO terminal map
Check the official SFO airlines listing to see which concourse your airline generally arrives/departs from.
Gate numbers at SFO now include both the concourse letter and the gate number, starting over at 1 for each concourse. Prior to Oct 16, 2019 gates were simply numbered 1-102 starting from 1 in the A concourse through 102 in the G concourse.
SFO has 2 main airside zones:
1. International Terminal A, Gates A1-A15 and Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk), Concourse B, Gates B1-B27
[Note that there is a short airside corridor between the A and B Concourses. You can enter security from A and go to B gates, and vice versa. The AirTrain station at Terminal 1-B is temporarily closed as of 9-22-21.]
Airside Lounges in International-A:
2. Terminal 2, Concourses C and D, Terminal 3, Concourses E and F and International Terminal G, Gates C2-C11, D1-D18, E1-E13, F1-F22, and G1-G14
(as of November 1, 2019 gate C1 is planned for some point in the future)
[Note that there are short airside corridors between the C and D Concourses, the D and E Concourses, and the F and G Concourses. You can enter security from C, D, E, F, or G Concourses and go to gates in any of this group of Concourses.]
Airside Lounges:
Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
Priority Pass eligible restaurants. [Note that PP card issued via American Express Platinum does not include "restaurant lounges"]:
It's possible to walk between gates in a single zone, but going from one zone to another requires clearing security. Several FTers have reported resistance from BP checkers and TSA agents when you try to enter a concourse that is not connected airside to your departure gate. They are mistaken; you can use a same day boarding pass departing SFO at any of the security checkpoints. Press the issue (politely), and you'll get in.
The landside connector between B and C is currently closed due to construction. To go between these two terminals you either need to go upstairs and take the AirTrain, or go down into the parking garage where you can walk freely (on well-marked pedestrian crosswalks) between terminals as well (pictures for walking in the garage can be found in post 512)
If you're arriving from an international destination, unless it's one of the pre-clearance airports, you'll have to clear Customs and Immigration at SFO and then need a departing boarding pass to clear security. SFO has the typical baggage re-check counters right after Customs for connecting passengers. They are usually open, but if closed, you'll need to lug your luggage to the regular domestic check-in counter of your connecting airline.
There's an AirTrain that runs between terminals (including the two parking garages connected to either side of the International Terminal) and the rental car center. AirTrain now has a stop at the long term parking lot. There is one on-airport hotel, a Grand Hyatt, accessible via the AirTrain. Personally, if forum regulars rob_flies_ua and dhuey need to connect between secure zones with only carry-ons, they just walk between terminals instead of waiting for the train. Returnoftheyeti and makfan will walk from BART to all terminals as well.
BART is the local regional commuter rail. The BART station is located on the north side of the airport, adjacent to International Terminal G. You can exit the paid area in two locations. One is by going up an escalator in the middle of the station and then connecting to the air train. You can also walk to the end of the station. Upon exiting you will be in the International terminal, near the chapel. A one-way ticket from SFO to downtown is $9.65.
For things to do on your layover in SFO, check out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...d-threads.html
Outside of the secure zone, but adjacent to International Terminal G is the SFO Museum
Renovation of Boarding Area C will include a connector to T1-B and is expected to be completed by 2024, following which the entire airport will be connected airside (however going from A to G would require passing through B, C, D, E and F).
AirTrain Map:
As the map shows, Red Line runs clockwise; Blue Line runs counterclockwise. The mistake to avoid is getting on the Blue Line and heading off to the rental car center and long term parking lot when you were only trying to go from one terminal to another (e.g., don't take Blue when you want to go from International-G to Terminal 1). CAUTION: recently when arriving in the late evening, the red line has been closed, and only the blue line is operating but in the opposite direction from the arrows show. Keep an eye out for "sandwich board" signs on the platform, and pay attention to the overhead video screens by the boarding doors for accurate real-time directional info.
Check the official SFO airlines listing to see which concourse your airline generally arrives/departs from.
Gate numbers at SFO now include both the concourse letter and the gate number, starting over at 1 for each concourse. Prior to Oct 16, 2019 gates were simply numbered 1-102 starting from 1 in the A concourse through 102 in the G concourse.
SFO has 2 main airside zones:
1. International Terminal A, Gates A1-A15 and Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk), Concourse B, Gates B1-B27
[Note that there is a short airside corridor between the A and B Concourses. You can enter security from A and go to B gates, and vice versa. The AirTrain station at Terminal 1-B is temporarily closed as of 9-22-21.]
Airside Lounges in International-A:
- Cathay Pacific (near A1) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Japan Airlines Sakura (near A1)
- Emirates (between A2-6) TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Air France/KLM (near A1) - also accessible to Priority Pass holders departing International Terminal A (access may be restricted at certain hours)
- British Airways (between A5-9) (FT Thread) - includes a First Class section inside
- China Airlines (near A1) (recent TR w/photo link)
- Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge (near A1) TEMPORARILY CLOSED AS OF 9/22/21
- Virgin Atlantic Club House (near A1) - also accesible to AMEX Platinum/Centurion cardholders
- American Airlines Admirals Club (near B13)
2. Terminal 2, Concourses C and D, Terminal 3, Concourses E and F and International Terminal G, Gates C2-C11, D1-D18, E1-E13, F1-F22, and G1-G14
(as of November 1, 2019 gate C1 is planned for some point in the future)
[Note that there are short airside corridors between the C and D Concourses, the D and E Concourses, and the F and G Concourses. You can enter security from C, D, E, F, or G Concourses and go to gates in any of this group of Concourses.]
Airside Lounges:
- Delta Sky Club (C Concourse near C3) (FT Thread)
- Alaska Lounge (D Concourse, near retail shops after security) (FT Thread)
- American Express Centurion Lounge (near F1) (FT Thread)
- 4 United Clubs (FT Thread: Best SFO UC, Status of SFO United Clubs)
- United Polaris Lounge (near G1) - FT thread: SFO Polaris Lounge Reopened - 4 January 2022
Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
Priority Pass eligible restaurants. [Note that PP card issued via American Express Platinum does not include "restaurant lounges"]:
- Lark Creek Grill (near gate D2)
- SF Giants Clubhouse (near gate F13)
- Yankee Pier (near gate F4)
- Mustards Bar & Grill (near G3)
It's possible to walk between gates in a single zone, but going from one zone to another requires clearing security. Several FTers have reported resistance from BP checkers and TSA agents when you try to enter a concourse that is not connected airside to your departure gate. They are mistaken; you can use a same day boarding pass departing SFO at any of the security checkpoints. Press the issue (politely), and you'll get in.
The landside connector between B and C is currently closed due to construction. To go between these two terminals you either need to go upstairs and take the AirTrain, or go down into the parking garage where you can walk freely (on well-marked pedestrian crosswalks) between terminals as well (pictures for walking in the garage can be found in post 512)
If you're arriving from an international destination, unless it's one of the pre-clearance airports, you'll have to clear Customs and Immigration at SFO and then need a departing boarding pass to clear security. SFO has the typical baggage re-check counters right after Customs for connecting passengers. They are usually open, but if closed, you'll need to lug your luggage to the regular domestic check-in counter of your connecting airline.
There's an AirTrain that runs between terminals (including the two parking garages connected to either side of the International Terminal) and the rental car center. AirTrain now has a stop at the long term parking lot. There is one on-airport hotel, a Grand Hyatt, accessible via the AirTrain. Personally, if forum regulars rob_flies_ua and dhuey need to connect between secure zones with only carry-ons, they just walk between terminals instead of waiting for the train. Returnoftheyeti and makfan will walk from BART to all terminals as well.
BART is the local regional commuter rail. The BART station is located on the north side of the airport, adjacent to International Terminal G. You can exit the paid area in two locations. One is by going up an escalator in the middle of the station and then connecting to the air train. You can also walk to the end of the station. Upon exiting you will be in the International terminal, near the chapel. A one-way ticket from SFO to downtown is $9.65.
For things to do on your layover in SFO, check out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-f...d-threads.html
Outside of the secure zone, but adjacent to International Terminal G is the SFO Museum
Renovation of Boarding Area C will include a connector to T1-B and is expected to be completed by 2024, following which the entire airport will be connected airside (however going from A to G would require passing through B, C, D, E and F).
AirTrain Map:
As the map shows, Red Line runs clockwise; Blue Line runs counterclockwise. The mistake to avoid is getting on the Blue Line and heading off to the rental car center and long term parking lot when you were only trying to go from one terminal to another (e.g., don't take Blue when you want to go from International-G to Terminal 1). CAUTION: recently when arriving in the late evening, the red line has been closed, and only the blue line is operating but in the opposite direction from the arrows show. Keep an eye out for "sandwich board" signs on the platform, and pay attention to the overhead video screens by the boarding doors for accurate real-time directional info.
Connecting in SFO
Nov 10, 2018, 12:42 pm
#136
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As Boraxo said, you don’t need to re-clear security. Be sure not to exit the airside zone. Just follow the signs to the International Terminal. You should have plenty of time. Lots of good dining options you’ll see in Terminal 3 and International.
Nov 10, 2018, 1:01 pm
#137
Join Date: May 2012
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Easy as cake, assuming no bad flight delays. I would check the schedule to see if the incoming flight is normally on time. Certain UA evening flights are sometimes delayed by weather or ATC. Even with a 1 hour delay you would be fine. You can hike from the farthest gate in UA T3 to the International Terminal in about 10-15 minutes and you will not have to clear security again (assuming your luggage is checked through).
Thanks Boraxo and dhuey
As for a meal, I'll be heading in to the Polaris lounge to check it out and get a meal there if time permits.
Nov 10, 2018, 9:42 pm
#138
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Nov 15, 2018, 4:10 am
#139
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: OTP/KRK
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Posts: 664
hi everyone.
I will fly next week from Europe to HNL via SFO on two separate tickets (Y) and I will have only about 3h40min layover at SFO (if my inbound is on time). I am *G coming on SK935 (CPH-SFO) and connecting into UA1670 (SFO-HNL) and I would like to ask you if 3h40min is enough time to pass thru immigration and security check (Romanian passport with B2 visa - visited US already for couple of times, if matters)? No checked bag.
Do I have any perks as *G at SFO stat will help me speed up the transfer process?
Also, if I will have enough time, which *A lounge do you recommend in T3 at SFO?
many thanks.
I will fly next week from Europe to HNL via SFO on two separate tickets (Y) and I will have only about 3h40min layover at SFO (if my inbound is on time). I am *G coming on SK935 (CPH-SFO) and connecting into UA1670 (SFO-HNL) and I would like to ask you if 3h40min is enough time to pass thru immigration and security check (Romanian passport with B2 visa - visited US already for couple of times, if matters)? No checked bag.
Do I have any perks as *G at SFO stat will help me speed up the transfer process?
Also, if I will have enough time, which *A lounge do you recommend in T3 at SFO?
many thanks.
Last edited by GBobon; Nov 15, 2018 at 4:34 am
Nov 15, 2018, 7:18 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Posts: 8,162
With 3 hours 40 mins it's a guaranteed connection short of your inbound being several hours late.
Presuming your *G is from an airline other than United (eg, SAS) then you'll get priority security access ("Gold Track") and access to the United Club lounge.
Nov 16, 2018, 12:21 pm
#142
Join Date: Jul 2007
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No. If you want a shower, your only option is "Freshen Up" which is located land-side in the international terminal (departures level, just to the right of the Intl-G security area), which charges $25 for a shower.
There are other options (United Arrivals Lounge, United Polaris lounge), but you would have to be travelling in business class on United to get access to either of those.
There are other options (United Arrivals Lounge, United Polaris lounge), but you would have to be travelling in business class on United to get access to either of those.
Jan 13, 2019, 7:13 am
#143
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 54
Dear all,
I will be in Seattle and I have a SQ flight departing 11.30am from SFO. Here are three options to catch my flight, as far as I can work out:
I am wondering - would option 2 be the best option for me? I am not inclined to spend the night prior in SF, and the extra 1 hour I gain by catching the AS flight would hopefully give me some cushion in the case of a short flight delay. However, I am not sure how much of this extra hour would be negated by checking my bags and clearing security again (compared to catching the UA flight).
Thanks in advance for your help!
I will be in Seattle and I have a SQ flight departing 11.30am from SFO. Here are three options to catch my flight, as far as I can work out:
- Fly to SFO the day prior and spend the night in an hotel in the SF
- Catch the first flight from SEA (AS) and arrive in SFO on 7.42am
- Catch the first UA flight from SEA and arrive in SFO on 8.49am
I am wondering - would option 2 be the best option for me? I am not inclined to spend the night prior in SF, and the extra 1 hour I gain by catching the AS flight would hopefully give me some cushion in the case of a short flight delay. However, I am not sure how much of this extra hour would be negated by checking my bags and clearing security again (compared to catching the UA flight).
Thanks in advance for your help!
Jan 13, 2019, 9:57 am
#144
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Jan 13, 2019, 10:29 pm
#146
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I’d go with the UA option. You will be able to walk airside to your SQ flight. This assumes that at SEA you are able to check your bag through to your final destination via what I assume is an interline agreement UA and SQ have with each other.
If you have to recheck your bag, that will take lots of time. Maybe wait up to 30 minutes after arrival for your bag. Lug it over from T2 to International-G. Line up at check in. Re-clear security. That could easily take more than an hour.
If you have to recheck your bag, that will take lots of time. Maybe wait up to 30 minutes after arrival for your bag. Lug it over from T2 to International-G. Line up at check in. Re-clear security. That could easily take more than an hour.
Jan 13, 2019, 11:07 pm
#147
Join Date: Jul 2007
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The morning UA flight should be fine, and UA will check the bags all the way through - but on 2 tickets it's a risk. All it takes is some fog, and your flight in could be delayed excessively, turning this into at best a tight connection...
The safe option is the night before - it just all comes down to what risk you want to take, and what the weather looks like...
The safe option is the night before - it just all comes down to what risk you want to take, and what the weather looks like...
Jan 14, 2019, 10:26 am
#148
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Might want to check the UA and SQ forums on how to be sure your bag gets through in a two-ticket interline situation like this. I think interline is your best search term.
Jan 14, 2019, 10:40 am
#149
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SF hotels are expensive but usually you can find a better deal at the airport. That's where I would stay and simply uber into the city if you want to have dinner there. Less stress the next morning.
Personally I think you will be fine on the UA flight. Early am arrivals are usually the least delayed - check the stats for your specific flight. It is a short hike (5-10min) from T-3 to the Int. Terminal and if you can interline the checked bags you don't have to run through security again! If you have TSA precheck or a C/F ticket then the security will be a breeze anyway. For me the major wild card would be checked bag retrieval. Baggage claim is slow at SFO, could take 30m. But that still should be more than enough time.
Now if you were doing this late afternoon or evening my answer would be different.
Personally I think you will be fine on the UA flight. Early am arrivals are usually the least delayed - check the stats for your specific flight. It is a short hike (5-10min) from T-3 to the Int. Terminal and if you can interline the checked bags you don't have to run through security again! If you have TSA precheck or a C/F ticket then the security will be a breeze anyway. For me the major wild card would be checked bag retrieval. Baggage claim is slow at SFO, could take 30m. But that still should be more than enough time.
Now if you were doing this late afternoon or evening my answer would be different.
Jan 14, 2019, 11:45 am
#150
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 275
How's the shutdown situation in SFO?
I have a 90 mins transit coming Monday arriving on AA and departing on SG on 2 separate tickets. Assuming I'll be landing in T1/2, and departing on TG.
Should I be making alternative arrangements?
I have a 90 mins transit coming Monday arriving on AA and departing on SG on 2 separate tickets. Assuming I'll be landing in T1/2, and departing on TG.
Should I be making alternative arrangements?