Dec 6, 2015, 9:23 am
Last edit by: SPN Lifer
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. In the map below, Terminal 2-C is now Terminal 1-C. (The C gates were reassigned back to Terminal 1 in 2024.)
As of June 2024, all SFO gates are now connected airside. Still, it's a very long airside walk between the International concourses (A and G). It might be faster to walk landside straight across the International check-in area, though that will require an extra trip through security.
Construction alerts and related threads:
Lounges at SFO:
International-A:
There is an outdoor viewing deck (post-security) in International-G open daily 7a-11:30p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
There is also a landside viewing deck (pre-security) in Terminal 2-D: Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
There is no chapel at SFO, but there is a "reflection room".
It's possible to enter through security at any gate, regardless of where your departure gate is. 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.
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. 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 a local regional commuter rail system serving San Francisco and the East Bay. 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 $10.55.
Caltrain is another local regional commuter rail system serving SF, the peninsula, and San Jose (and some points further south). To reach Caltrain take either BART or the SamTrans 292 bus (cheape than BART) towards Hillsdale Mall to Millbrae (do NOT get on a San Francisco-bound 292 bus, which confusingly stops at the same bus stops -- look on the electronic display on the bus as it arrives and/or confirm with the driver)
BART and Caltrain stations have ticket machines, but you can also pay using a Clipper -- you can add a virtual Clipper to your smartphone/mobile wallet ahead of time
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
The Grand Hyatt at SFO is located on the airport property and is accessible by AirTrain: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyat...er-thread.html
In general taking AirTrain is best, but it is possible to walk from Terminal A to the Grand Hyatt if you are so inclined (instructions can be found in a post linked in the above thread's wiki)
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. In the map below, Terminal 2-C is now Terminal 1-C. (The C gates were reassigned back to Terminal 1 in 2024.)
As of June 2024, all SFO gates are now connected airside. Still, it's a very long airside walk between the International concourses (A and G). It might be faster to walk landside straight across the International check-in area, though that will require an extra trip through security.
Construction alerts and related threads:
- SFO T3 remodel
- in this forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/san-...n-project.html
- UA forum thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ly-2024-a.html
Lounges at SFO:
International-A:
- Cathay Pacific (near A1)
- Emirates (between A2-6)
- Air France/KLM (near A1) - note that it is not accessible for Priority Pass cardholders
- British Airways (between A5-9) (FT Thread) - includes a First Class section inside
- China Airlines (near A1) (recent TR w/photo link) - they sometimes take Priority Pass cardholders
- Virgin Atlantic Club House (near A1) - they sometimes take Priority Pass cardholders
- Golden Gate Lounge (near A1) - they sometimes take Priority Pass cardholders
- American Airlines Admirals Club (near B13) (FT thread)
- The Club SFO - level 3, just after security (FT Thread)
- Alaska Airlines - Retail Street, Level 2 (FT thread)
- Delta Sky Club (near C3) (FT Thread)
- Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge (upstairs, just after security)
- American Express Centurion Lounge (temporary location) (FT Thread) (Terminal 3-F site closed for terminal construction).
- United Club (FT Thread: Best SFO UC, Status of SFO United Clubs) (near E3)
- American Express Centurion Lounge (near F1) (FT Thread) (closed for terminal construction). Temporary location is in Terminal 2-D.
- United Club (FT Thread: Best SFO UC, Status of SFO United Clubs) - (in rotunda of the F Gates)
- United Polaris Lounge (near G1) - FT thread: SFO Polaris Lounge Reopened - 4 January 2022
- United Club (FT Thread: Best SFO UC, Status of SFO United Clubs) - between G6 and G9
- Lark Creek Grill (near gate D2)
- SF Giants Clubhouse (near gate F13)
Yankee Pier(near gate F4) (permanently closed due to construction)
- Mustards Bar & Grill (near G3)
There is an outdoor viewing deck (post-security) in International-G open daily 7a-11:30p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
There is also a landside viewing deck (pre-security) in Terminal 2-D: Landside SkyTerrace open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10a-6p: (FlySFO) (FT Thread)
There is no chapel at SFO, but there is a "reflection room".
It's possible to enter through security at any gate, regardless of where your departure gate is. 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.
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. 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 a local regional commuter rail system serving San Francisco and the East Bay. 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 $10.55.
Caltrain is another local regional commuter rail system serving SF, the peninsula, and San Jose (and some points further south). To reach Caltrain take either BART or the SamTrans 292 bus (cheape than BART) towards Hillsdale Mall to Millbrae (do NOT get on a San Francisco-bound 292 bus, which confusingly stops at the same bus stops -- look on the electronic display on the bus as it arrives and/or confirm with the driver)
BART and Caltrain stations have ticket machines, but you can also pay using a Clipper -- you can add a virtual Clipper to your smartphone/mobile wallet ahead of time
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
The Grand Hyatt at SFO is located on the airport property and is accessible by AirTrain: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyat...er-thread.html
In general taking AirTrain is best, but it is possible to walk from Terminal A to the Grand Hyatt if you are so inclined (instructions can be found in a post linked in the above thread's wiki)
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
May 23, 2016 | 6:59 am
#16
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Check the BP for the ex-SFO flight that Qantas gives you to see if it says "Tsa Precheck".
If not, reprint the BP to pick up the designation.
If not, reprint the BP to pick up the designation.
Oct 5, 2016 | 10:25 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I'm flying AS (Terminal A), but I'd like to use UA Club (have Club membership) if possible. Am I correct that this is impossible with AS boarding pass?
There's no way you can walk airside between A & T3 or between A & G, is there?
There's no way you can walk airside between A & T3 or between A & G, is there?
Oct 6, 2016 | 12:14 am
#18
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No way to walk airside, but you can clear security in any concourse at SFO with a BP departing any concourse.
Oct 6, 2016 | 9:49 am
#20
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Yup. Some agents will try and steer you to the terminal for your BP, and just tell them you're here for the lounge. The T3 TSA all know that we're headed for the AX lounge. 
I once got a lot of lip from the ticket checker (before TSA) challenging me on what lounge, it isn't in this terminal, and so on (I was going through Int'l G to get to 3). She finally relented. This only happened once.
I once got a lot of lip from the ticket checker (before TSA) challenging me on what lounge, it isn't in this terminal, and so on (I was going through Int'l G to get to 3). She finally relented. This only happened once.
Oct 21, 2016 | 11:41 am
#21
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I updated the wiki to reflect how the landslide walkway between International-A and Terminal 1 will be closed for years during the T1 redevelopment. This makes AirTrain the best choice in many situations where walking was previously the way to go.
Nov 23, 2016 | 8:29 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
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Thanks for the update, otherwise I would've found myself frustrated and confused! I used to find it faster (and more enjoyable) walking from BART through International to Terminal 1, but looks like I'm taking the AirTrain now...
Nov 23, 2016 | 9:09 pm
#23
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AirTrain it is. Or the long way around if I want the extra steps
Nov 24, 2016 | 11:54 am
#24
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You may still wish to walk from BART to T1. It's only slightly longer to do that clockwise via T3 and T2. I walk outside on the sidewalk at the start of T3 as it's a little shorter and less congested.
Feb 27, 2017 | 7:10 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Posts: 1,628
Will be connecting through SFO to SYD originating in YVR. Arriving on AC to international G gates and departing international A gates. I understand that I will have to leave the secured area and go through security again. I have about 1 hour and 40 min. is this enough time?
Feb 27, 2017 | 7:40 pm
#26
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Will be connecting through SFO to SYD originating in YVR. Arriving on AC to international G gates and departing international A gates. I understand that I will have to leave the secured area and go through security again. I have about 1 hour and 40 min. is this enough time?
Mar 2, 2017 | 11:39 am
#28
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Just be aware that either of those choices will require you to exit and re-clear security to get to your flight, and if you go to the Delta Sky Club that the landside walkway between T1 and Intl-A is closed for renovations so you have to take the AirTrain.
Mar 2, 2017 | 11:43 am
#29
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Have you been to the AF-KLM lounge in International-A since the renovation? It's pretty nice. Nothing extraordinary, but nice enough that I wouldn't go to the trouble of an extra trip through security in another terminal.
Mar 2, 2017 | 4:05 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 521
I was last there in October. Has it changed since then?