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FLIGHTS
San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport Guide

USATODAY

Contact information and flight status

Checkpoint savvy

Domestic terminal checkpoints are busiest weekday mornings from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. In the International Terminal, the A and G gates (Star Alliance, One World, etc.) are busiest from noon to 3 p.m.

Workarounds: Terminal 2 (Virgin America and American Airlines) is connected with Terminal 1, Boarding Area C (Delta). Terminal 3 and the G-side International gates (mostly Star Alliance) are connected with a post-security corridor for easy outbound connections. The A-side International gates can only be accessed by going through that checkpoint.

Parking

Parking information: 650-821-7900 (24 hours).

Most convenient: Valet (in domestic garage), $45 each 24 hours. Domestic garage, $36/day; International garage, $36/day. $2 per 15 minutes for both Domestic and International. Electric vehicle charging stations available.

Least expensive: Long Term Parking, $25/day.

Cellphone lot: Located at 806 South Airport Boulevard. Closed 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. Flight arrival information kiosk and vending machine with water and soft drinks. Vehicles must be attended. Maximum wait time 60 minutes.

Transportation to/from city

Most convenient: BART to downtown, $8.95 Travel time: 29 minutes to Powell St. Taxis, Uber and Lyft vehicles also available. Travel time: 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. See more options.

Least expensive: SamsTrans bus route 292 to downtown San Francisco, $2.25. Travel time: about one hour to Fifth and Mission.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

Wi-Fi access is free throughout the airport.

Work desks throughout the airport have power outlets. Power charging stations available in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with more than 400 outlets in T2 alone.

Go local

Best source for local gifts: SFMOMA Museum Store (Main Hall, International Terminal), Greetings from SF (Terminals 2 and 3), Ghirardelli Chocolate (various). See more options.

Best source for local food: Terminal 1: Perry's. Terminal 2: Napa Farms Market, The Plant Café, Organic. Terminal 3: Fraiche, Klein’s Deli, Boudin's Bakery and Café. International Terminal: 1300 On Fillmore, 24th & Mission Taco House, Deli-Up Café, Gott’s Roadside, Napa Farms Market, Samovar Tea, Tomokazu, Valencia Street Station. See more options.

Tips and tidbits

Services at SFO include bicycle assembly stations, a medical clinic, animal relief areas, kids' play areas, USO lounge, showering facilities, water bottle refill stations and a seasonal live music program. Yoga rooms are located post-security in Terminal 3 (Boarding Area E) and in the connector between Terminals 1 and 2. The accredited San Francisco Airport Museums program hosts concurrent exhibitions in about 20 galleries throughout the airport. The Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum is located inside the International Terminal. Pet therapy "Wag Brigade" dogs — plus LiLou the pig — are identified with vests that say "Pet Me!"

Nearby layover option

The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia is a few miles south of SFO and accessible via public transportation. Candlestick Point Recreation area is 10 miles away, just off U.S. 101. Downtown San Francisco is 40 minutes away via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).

Your tips and picks?

Please share your time and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.

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