SFOKSFO · LARGE HUB

BART into the cityCalm, well-designed terminalsMuseum exhibits airside

San Francisco International

San Francisco, United States · 1 (Harvey Milk) · 2 · 3 · International (A/G)

LAT 37.6213 · LON -122.379 · TZ America/Los_Angeles · REGION NORTH AMERICA

8.0Intel score / 10

Editorial guideLast verified September 11, 2026Live data placeholder — no API connected

SFO is the most pleasant big US airport: quiet, art-filled, connected by a free AirTrain, and linked to downtown by BART in 30 minutes. Terminals 1–3 and the International Terminal are increasingly connected airside. Fog delays in summer mornings are the main operational hazard.

layover7.4

sleep5.6

lounge8.2

transit8

hotel7.8

family7.6

terminal8.4

01Connections

Same terminal: 60 min. Between connected airside terminals (T2–T3–International G, T1–International A): 75–90 min. International arrival onward: 2.5h.

Minimum connection times change

Airlines publish legal minimums per terminal pair; these figures are our comfortable recommendation, not the legal minimum. Verify with your airline for your specific itinerary.

02Sleep & nap options

Fair. Some terminals have reclining chairs; an airside yoga room in T2/T3; the Grand Hyatt SFO is attached by AirTrain and there's no airside hotel.

on airport
Grand Hyatt at SFO — AirTrain stop inside the hotel, ~5 min to any terminal. Attached to the AirTrain loop — no shuttle needed; runway-view rooms.
near airport
Aloft San Francisco Airport (Millbrae) — Free shuttle, ~10 min. Value pick near Millbrae BART/Caltrain.

03Showers

Airline lounges only (United Polaris, Air France/KLM, Cathay, Centurion).

04Food & coffee

Above average — local restaurants and coffee (T2 and T3 lead). Reasonable by US airport standards.

05Wi-Fi & charging

Free and fast; power at most seats.

06Lounges at SFO

International Terminal G, near gate G3 · Star Alliance

United Polaris Lounge

Yes — the daybeds make it the best pre-transpacific rest in the US.

showerhot foodquietworkspace

9.2

Terminal 3, near gate F1 (also reachable airside from International G) · —

The Centurion Lounge

Great if you're already a cardholder and it's not full.

hot foodpremium barworkspacefamily

7.8

07Getting into San Francisco

Mode	Time	Notes
BART	30 min to downtown	Station is in the International Terminal via AirTrain; trains every 15–20 min.
Caltrain via BART to Millbrae	45–60 min to Peninsula/South Bay	Good for Palo Alto / San Jose.
Taxi / rideshare	25–60 min	Departures-level pickups; traffic on 101 at rush hour.

08Transit & visa reminder

Confirm before you plan to leave the airport

US entry for all international arrivals. ESTA or visa required.

09Layover ideas by time window

Under 4h
Stay airside: SFO Museum exhibits, the yoga room, a proper coffee.
4–7h
BART to the Embarcadero for the Ferry Building and a waterfront walk; back 2h early.
7h+
A half day downtown or Golden Gate views from Crissy Field; watch for evening fog delays.

Build a SFO layover plan →

10Traveler warnings

Summer morning fog causes rolling arrival delays — don't book tight connections before 11 a.m.
The International Terminal has two sides (A and G); check which one before you relax.
BART's last trains run around midnight.

11Frequently asked

How do I get from SFO to downtown San Francisco?

BART, about 30 minutes to Embarcadero or Powell. The station is reached from the International Terminal via the free AirTrain.

Is SFO good for a long layover?

Yes — calm terminals, museum exhibits and fast rail into the city make it one of the better US airports for layovers of five hours or more.

Sources & verificationLast verified September 11, 2026

San Francisco International Airport — terminal guide
BART timetable
Editorial visits, 2026

Airport operations, hours and access rules change. Request a correction if something is out of date.