San Francisco International Airport

Airport Airport

IATA Code
SFO
ICAO Code
KSFO
Airport Type
Large Airport
Class
International

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major international gateway serving the San Francisco Bay Area and a large United Airlines hub. The airport handles tens of millions of passengers annually and is organized into multiple terminals (Terminals 1-3 plus the International Terminal) arranged around several concourses.

San Francisco International Airport
Elevation: 3 m
37.6198, -122.3748

Terminal Guide for San Francisco International Airport #

SFO’s passenger facilities are grouped into Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the International Terminal; each terminal contains multiple concourses and gates, with many international arrivals handled in the International Terminal. Airlines are grouped by terminal but assignments can change; United operates a large share of flights and uses several gates across terminals. The terminals are linked landside and airside by the free automated AirTrain people mover and indoor pedestrian routes, and most terminals offer full passenger services including check‑in, security and immigration facilities.

Getting to and From San Francisco International Airport #

SFO has an on‑site BART (regional rail) station, extensive bus services, taxis and ride‑share; downtown San Francisco is typically 25-45 minutes by train or road depending on traffic.

  • Rail/metro: BART from the airport to downtown San Francisco (e.g. Embarcadero/Montgomery) takes about 30 minutes; fares are around US$10-12 one way depending on destination.
  • Airport people mover: The AirTrain connects terminals, parking, rental car centre and the BART station; it runs 24/7 and is free.
  • Buses: SamTrans services connect the airport with a range of local destinations; schedules vary.
  • Taxis: A taxi to downtown San Francisco typically costs US$45-70 and takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Ride‑share: Uber and Lyft operate designated pickup zones - expect similar fares to taxis depending on demand.
  • Driving: Distance to downtown is about 20-25 km; allow 30-60 minutes by car depending on congestion.

Facilities, Shopping, and Dining at San Francisco International Airport #

SFO offers extensive passenger facilities across its terminals including numerous airline lounges, a wide range of dining and shopping, free Wi‑Fi, and business amenities.

  • Lounges: Multiple airline and third‑party lounges operate at SFO (United Club/Polaris, international alliance lounges, and pay‑per‑use options).
  • Food & drink: Large selection of sit‑down restaurants and quick‑service outlets both landside and airside; international and local options are widely available.
  • Wi‑Fi: Free airport Wi‑Fi is available; registration may be required for full access.
  • Charging: Charging stations and power outlets are available throughout gate areas and lounges.
  • Luggage & showers: Dedicated services, shower facilities and family rooms are available in select lounges and airport locations.
  • Accessibility: Full accessibility services, assistance on request and step‑free routes are provided.

Hotels and Layovers at San Francisco International Airport #

  • Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport - adjacent to terminals, reachable via AirTrain and short walk. (https://www.hyatt.com)
  • Grand Hyatt (downtown) and other chain hotels are available but not on airport grounds; pick hotels connected by the AirTrain for easiest transfers.

Tip: the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport is one of the hotels physically linked to the airport via walkway/AirTrain and is convenient for overnight layovers or early departures.

Tips for San Francisco International Airport #

  • Take BART from the International Terminal for the clearest route into downtown San Francisco - trains run frequently and avoid surface traffic.
  • Allow extra time to move between some gates and the AirTrain; the automated AirTrain runs 24/7 and is the quickest way to reach long‑term parking, rental cars and BART connections.
  • If arriving late, several on‑site hotels are connected to the AirTrain; check walk vs AirTrain options for your hotel transfer.

Weather & Climate near San Francisco International Airport #

Climate

San Francisco International Airport's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (535 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 36 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneSeptemberJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and partly cloudy skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
12° 23°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.4h daylight

September

September is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.0h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

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