San Francisco Airport Live Arrivals
San Francisco Airport Arrivals Information
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has four main terminals, Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the International Terminal, which has two separate branches that house the A and G gates. Terminals 1-3 are mostly used for domestic flights, with the exception of Aer Lingus (T1) and Air Canada (T2), and the majority of international flights land at International Terminal G.
If you plan on meeting someone at SFO Airport Arrivals, we suggest using our live flight tracker above to confirm which terminal they will be landing at.
Terminal 1 (Harvey Milk Terminal)
Operating Airlines: Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Porter, Sun Country, and WestJet.
Location: Baggage Claim is on Level 1, the Meeting Point is on Level 2 (Departures).
Terminal 2
Operating Airlines: Air Canada, Breeze, and Southwest.
Location: Baggage Claim is on Level 1, the Meeting Point is on Level 2 (Departures).
Terminal 3
Operating Airlines: United Airlines
Location: Baggage Claim and the Meeting Point are located on Level 1.
International Terminal (A)
Operating Airlines: AeroMexico, and Air France.
Location: Baggage Claim and the Meeting Point are located on Level 2.
International Terminal (G)
Operating Airlines: Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Swiss Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Location: Baggage Claim and the Meeting Point are located on Level 2.
Arriving at San Francisco Airport
When landing at SFO Airport, international arrivals will be directed to Immigration, where an officer will request a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity. Passengers from certain countries must also present a valid Visitor’s Visa. However, if you’re a citizen of a country participating in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you’ll need to obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before your trip instead.
Afterwards, you can collect your luggage by following the signs toward “Baggage Claim.” Each screen displays the flight that it corresponds to, and there should be an announcement for each baggage carousel.
Finally, unless you underwent US Pre-Clearance (or you have Global Entry) in the country you departed from, you will need to complete a Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form, stating whether or not you are carrying any prohibited or restricted items.
For SFO airport domestic arrivals, the process is much simpler, as you can proceed straight to Baggage Claim and make your way to the exit or Meeting Point in your terminal.
San Francisco Airport Transport
Taxi stands are well signposted from the Baggage Claim area of each terminal, so you should have no trouble catching a San Francisco Airport taxi to your hotel. If you require assistance, speak to one of the taxi coordinators stationed at each stand. If you’d rather not wait in line, you can pre-book a San Francisco Airport transfer and secure a fixed fare instead.
From the lower level of each terminal, outside the Arrivals Hall, passengers can catch the 292 public bus line to Downtown, which makes multiple stops along the way. Otherwise, the BART Rapid Rail departs from the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (G Gates side) and will get you there in half the time.
What to do in Arrivals at San Francisco Airport?
San Francisco Airport arrivals will have access to free WiFi, toilets, mobile data stores, car rental booths, information and tourism desks, cafes, vending machines, electronic stores, ATMs, and currency exchange booths.
If you have some time to kill while you’re waiting to meet someone, the Aviation Museum and Library is open to all passengers and visitors; you’ll find it before the Security checkpoint on the Departures level of the International terminal. You can also watch planes take off and land from the SkyTerrace observation deck.
Check out our comprehensive San Francisco Airport Guide for more details on what you can find in the airport.
San Francisco Airport Arrivals Parking
If you’re picking someone up from the airport, it’s best to park in the free Cell Phone lot (max. 60 minutes) until the flight has landed. Once it’s landed, drive up to the SFO International Airport Arrivals parking garage (A or G), where you can access both international terminals on foot, and all of the domestic terminals via the 10-minute AirTrain. The rate for the parking garage is $4 (€3.50) for every 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to go through security for a connecting international flight at SFO?
Yes, all passengers connecting to an international flight at SFO will need to clear Immigration and collect their luggage. Even if your bag has been checked all the way through, you will still need to collect it, clear Customs, and then exit the Arrivals Hall through the doors marked “Connecting Flights,” where you will need to re-check your luggage. Otherwise, you will need to make your way to the airline counter to check in once again.