SFO Airport Terminal Guide 2026
San Francisco International Airport has four terminals: Terminal 1 (Delta), Terminal 2 (Alaska & American), Terminal 3 (United domestic), and the International Terminal (United international + all other international carriers). All terminals connect via the free AirTrain, with BART to downtown SF inside the International Terminal. This guide covers every terminal, lounges, BART access, and car service pricing throughout the Bay Area.
SFO Quick Reference: Airline → Terminal
| Airline | Terminal / Boarding Area |
|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | Terminal 1 |
| JetBlue Airways | Terminal 1 |
| Alaska Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| United Airlines (domestic) | Terminal 3 |
| Southwest Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| Spirit Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| Frontier Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| United Airlines (international) | International Terminal, Boarding Area G |
| Air Canada | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Lufthansa | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| British Airways | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Air France | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| KLM | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Singapore Airlines | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Cathay Pacific | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| ANA | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Korean Air | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Air China | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Philippine Airlines | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| LATAM | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| Aeromexico | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
| WestJet | International Terminal, Boarding Area A |
Terminal 1 — Delta, JetBlue, Southwest
Terminal 1 houses Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier. The Delta Sky Club is in Terminal 1. Delta operates significant Bay Area service from SFO including hub connections to Atlanta (ATL) and cross-country routes.
Standard Sky Club amenities. Access via Delta Sky Club membership or qualifying ticket.
Terminal 2 — Alaska & American (Best Domestic Terminal)
Terminal 2 underwent a complete renovation and is widely regarded as one of the best-designed airport terminals in the US. Alaska Airlines is the primary carrier; American Airlines also operates from T2. The terminal features local San Francisco restaurants, better retail, and a calmer, less crowded environment than Terminal 3.
Alaska Lounge+ membership or Priority Pass (select tier). Pacific Northwest-inspired design and menu.
AA Admirals Club membership or qualifying card access.
Terminal 3 — United Airlines Domestic Hub
Terminal 3 is United's domestic hub at SFO. United runs its Pacific operations from SFO — more transpacific routes than any other US carrier. The United Club and Centurion Lounge are in Terminal 3.
United Club membership or qualifying ticket.
Amex Platinum/Centurion card access. One of the most popular Centurion Lounges — often has a wait.
International Terminal — BART Station + United Polaris
The International Terminal is the largest building at SFO and has two boarding areas: Boarding Area A (all non-United international flights) and Boarding Area G (United international). The SFO BART station is directly inside the International Terminal, making it the only major US airport with a direct rail connection built into the international terminal.
United Polaris Lounge — International Terminal, Boarding Area G
The United Polaris Lounge at SFO is consistently ranked as one of the best airline lounges in the United States. It features full restaurant dining, private suites, shower rooms, a day spa with massages, and a cocktail bar. Access requires a United Polaris (international business class) or United First Class ticket on a qualifying international flight.
International Terminal Lounges
BART from SFO
- • Station: Inside International Terminal
- • To Powell St (downtown SF): ~30 min, ~$10.65
- • To Embarcadero: ~32 min
- • To Oakland: ~25 min
- • To Berkeley: ~45 min
- • Hours: ~5 AM–midnight daily
- • AirTrain to BART: Free people mover from all terminals
Getting from SFO to San Francisco: All Options
| Option | Cost | Time to Downtown SF | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Car Service (sedan) | $85–$115 | 20–40 min | Meet at baggage claim, no surge |
| Black Car Service (SUV) | $115–$155 | 20–40 min | Groups/luggage |
| BART | ~$10.65 | ~30 min to Powell St | From International Terminal via AirTrain |
| Uber/Lyft | $40–$75 | 25–50 min | Surge-prone during tech events, Warriors games |
| Yellow Cab | $50–$75 + tip | 25–50 min | Taxi stand lower level |
| Caltrain + connection | ~$4.50+ | ~55+ min | Requires AirTrain + Caltrain + Muni transfer |
Black Car Service Pricing from SFO
| Destination | Sedan | SUV | Sprinter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Francisco / FiDi | $90–$120 | $120–$160 | $175–$230 |
| Union Square / Tenderloin | $85–$115 | $115–$155 | $170–$225 |
| Mission / SoMa / Castro | $90–$120 | $120–$160 | $175–$230 |
| Nob Hill / Pacific Heights | $95–$130 | $130–$170 | $190–$250 |
| Silicon Valley (Palo Alto) | $65–$90 | $90–$125 | $135–$180 |
| Silicon Valley (San Jose) | $75–$105 | $105–$140 | $155–$205 |
| East Bay (Oakland downtown) | $75–$100 | $100–$135 | $150–$200 |
| East Bay (Berkeley) | $90–$120 | $120–$160 | $175–$230 |
| Marin County (Sausalito) | $115–$150 | $150–$200 | $220–$290 |
| Napa / Sonoma | $145–$190 | $190–$250 | $285–$370 |
| Monterey | $195–$255 | $255–$330 | $380–$490 |
| San Jose Airport (SJC) | $65–$90 | $90–$120 | $135–$180 |
| Oakland Airport (OAK) | $55–$75 | $75–$100 | $115–$155 |
Book Black Car Service at SFO
Meet-and-greet at baggage claim. All terminals including International. Flight tracking included.
Available 24/7 · (888) 420-0177
SFO Airport FAQs
Which terminal is United at SFO?
United Airlines operates from Terminal 3 (domestic) and the International Terminal Boarding Area G (international). The United Polaris Lounge and United Club are both accessible from these areas. United is the dominant carrier at SFO and operates more transpacific routes from SFO than any other US carrier.
Which terminal is Alaska at SFO?
Alaska Airlines operates from Terminal 2 at SFO. Terminal 2 is a redesigned terminal known as one of the best domestic terminals in the US — local restaurants, better design, and generally less crowded than Terminal 3. The Alaska Airlines Lounge is in Terminal 2.
Is there a BART train from SFO?
Yes — BART connects SFO directly to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. The BART station is inside the International Terminal (accessible from all terminals via the free AirTrain people mover). The ride to Powell Street station (Union Square/downtown SF) takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately $10.65. BART runs from about 5 AM to midnight.
What is the United Polaris Lounge at SFO?
The United Polaris Lounge at SFO (International Terminal, Boarding Area G) is one of the most acclaimed airline lounges in the United States. It features a full restaurant with à la carte dining, private suites, spa services including massages, shower rooms, and a well-stocked bar. Access requires a United Polaris (international business class) or first class ticket on a qualifying international United flight.
How do you get from Terminal 3 to the International Terminal at SFO?
Take the AirTrain (free, runs 24/7) from Terminal 3 to the International Terminal. The journey takes about 3–5 minutes. Alternatively, there is an underground walkway connection, but the AirTrain is faster. The AirTrain connects all terminals and the BART station in a loop.
How far is SFO from Palo Alto and Silicon Valley?
SFO is approximately 20 miles north of Palo Alto (the heart of Silicon Valley). By car via US-101 South, the drive takes 20–35 minutes (longer during rush hour). To San Jose: about 35 miles, 35–55 minutes. Black car service from SFO to Palo Alto costs $65–$90 for a sedan.
Is there Uber/Lyft at SFO?
Yes — Uber and Lyft pickups at SFO are from the Domestic Terminals ride app area (lower level Arrivals) or the International Terminal. Unlike LAX, SFO still allows rideshare pickup at the terminals. However, rideshare at SFO is subject to surge pricing during major tech events (Dreamforce, Google I/O), Warriors playoff games, and peak travel periods.
What is SFO best known for in terms of airlines?
SFO is United Airlines' Pacific hub — the airport with the most transpacific routes in the US. United flies to Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and other Asia-Pacific destinations from SFO. Singapore Airlines' nonstop to Singapore (one of the longest commercial flights in the world at ~18 hours) departs from SFO's International Terminal.