San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Overview

Just a short drive from San Francisco's downtown area, San Francisco International Airport is the California's second busiest airport and the largest airport in the Bay Area.

With four terminals, friendly staff, a museum, library and wide selection of dining and shopping facilities, San Francisco International Airport is the perfect gateway to the Bay Area.

Location

The airport is situated 14 miles (23km) south of San Francisco.

Getting to the city

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Rapid Rail service connects the airport to the city centre, and provides a connection to the Caltrain commuter rail service at Milbrae Station, from where trains leave regularly to San Francisco downtown, costing about $2 and to San Jose. SamTrans Service, bus 292, leaves every 30 minutes for the city centre and suburbs costing US$1.75. There are also shared vans, which provide a door-to-door service and are cheaper than taxis. Reservations are sometimes needed for service after 11pm. Taxis cost about US$35 for an hour's ride to the city centre, very dependant on traffic. Airport employs are available at the taxi pick up area, outside all terminals, to help passengers.

Time

GMT –8 (GMT –7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 800 435 9736.

Car rental

The AirTrain links the terminals to the rental car centre. Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, National, Thrifty and Hertz.

Airport Taxis

A taxi to the city centre takes about half an hour and generally costs around $40. Taxi drivers will expect a tip of $3 to $5.

Transfer between terminals

AirTrain light rail service operates on two lines. The Red Line connects all terminals, garages and the BART Station; and the Blue Line, which also connects to the Rental Car Centre. AirTrain does not provide service to SFO's Long Term Parking Lot.

Facilities

There are banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available. Facilities for the disabled are very good. Other facilities include baggage storage, medical clinic, bars and restaurants, duty-free, shops, childcare and baby changing facilities, post office, wireless Internet, tourist information and hotel reservations. There is also a museum, library, art gallery and an aviation history museum within the terminal.

Parking

Rates for short-term parking start at $2 per 20 minutes and increase to $33 per 24 hours. Other daily rates available range from $20 per day in the international parking area or $15 per day in the long-term lot.

Website

www.flysfo.com

Airlines

Flights to San Francisco International Airport can be booked on most major airlines including Aeroméxico, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Frontier Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic Airways and WestJet.

Internet

All four terminals have free wifi on offer.

Business Lounges

Basic business services are available at Triptel, while there are laptop workstations throughout the airport. The Airport Travel Agency in the International Terminal offers fax and photocopying facilities.

San Francisco International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.