San Francisco International Airport

SFO Airport

SFO (the San Francisco International Airport) is one of the busiest airports in the country and serves Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim. SFO has four terminals - three of those are for domestic flights and the other is for international flights.

What Terminal Do I Need?

Terminal 1 could be considered the main terminal. You'll find most domestic flights run through Terminal 1 including American West, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and US Air. Air Canada operates out of this terminal as well. As of this writing Terminal 2 is closed for renovation and there is no estimated completion date. Terminal 3 is where American Airlines and United fly out of. The International Terminal is for most non-US carriers and all international arrivals.

The four terminals form a loop around the parking garage and completing the loop on foot will take about twenty-five minutes. There is an internal transportation system called AirTrain that links everything together and runs 24 hours a day so fear not those of you that are not up to walking the loop.

Security lines at SFO aren't the usual drag that they are at other airports. Everything seems to move quickly and efficiently. There are times when things can get hectic though, especially during holidays. We suggest that you call your airline prior to departure and ask when a good time to arrive would be. The domestic airlines we spoke to suggested that all departing passengers arrive two hours before their flight time. International carriers suggested that passengers arrive three hours before flight time.

San Francisco Airport - Ground Transportation:

Leaving the airport couldn't be easier. There are many transportation options to choose from including car rentals, limousine services, and shuttle vans. The underground train system, BART, connects to the airport as well although the running train schedule varies depending on what day and what time you are traveling. Our suggestion is to rent a limousine to leave the airport and get a shuttle back on your return. By taking a shuttle from the airport into the City you run the risk of waiting forever while the driver finds more passengers to fill his van. With the limousine you leave on your own schedule and you have the added benefit of being able to relax and take in the sites around you. Save your shuttle trip for going back to the airport, there is little-to-no waiting once you have a reservation and the fare is much cheaper than a taxi.

San Francisco Airport Shopping and Restaurants:

There are many opportunities for shopping at SFO, both pre-security and post-security. In addition to the regular Duty Free Shops there are also a number of specialty stores. Get high-end cosmetics and perfume at Sephora, unique gifts made by local artists at the SFMOMA Museum Store, gadgets and other lifestyle gifts at Brookstone, and chocolates from See's Candies. You will find a number of places to buy books, sunglasses, leather jackets, t-shirts, candy, even stylish neckties. If you need it then you will find it at the airport and the local retailers are very helpful and friendly.

After all that shopping you're bound to have an appetite. Pull up a chair and relax with a fine meal from many of the Bay Area's top restaurants. Grab some Nieman Ranch Beef or free-range chicken from the Mission Bar and Grill. Got a hankerin' for fresh seafood? Check out the Yankee Pier where the clams will knock your socks off. You can also find bagels, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, soup, and even T.G.I. Friday's. Like local beer? Lounge with a lager from the Anchor Brewing Company or stop by Gordon Biersch and hoist a hefewiezen, there are plenty of beers to choose from for even the most discriminating of palates. Waiting between flights has never been more relaxing!

If you need to be productive and do some office work then you should check out the PowerPort Business Center, located in the International Terminal by the "G" gates (pre-security). The center has a number of services available, all with varying pricing schemes. Make copies, send a fax, use a cubicle, or rent a conference room, the PowerPort Business Center can take care of all your offices needs. This is not to be confused with the PowerPort Station that is located in Terminal 3, a laptop charging/internet access kiosk where you can charge your devices or hop onto a broadband connection. (By: Drew McKinney - Copyright SFTRAVEL LLC)