San Francisco International Airport Wait Times & Departure Calculator
Real-time security waits, traffic conditions, and personalized departure times
⏱️ Detailed Wait Times for Airport
Typical wait times by time of day
📊 Estimated Security Wait Times by Time of Day
🅿️ Live parking at SFO
Updated1 of 5 lots filling up
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Domestic Garage 94% full · 276 spaces
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International Garage A 67% full · 543 spaces
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International Garage G 77% full · 327 spaces
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ParkFAST 66% full · 66 spaces
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Long Term Garage 68% full · 2,094 spaces
From SFO's own parking system. Availability changes quickly; check signs on arrival.
🚗 Current Traffic Conditions
Peak traffic hours: 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm
💡 Pro tip: Use our calculator below to get real-time traffic from your exact location.
Customs on arrival at SFO
Typical passport-control wait is about 16 minutes. Busiest around 5 AM (~25 min). U.S. CBP data, last 90 days.
Customs wait for your landing time →Get Your Recommended Departure Time for SFO
Complete Guide to Airport Timing
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serves as the Bay Area's primary international gateway. SFO is known for efficient security compared to other major airports.
How Early Should I Arrive at SFO for a Domestic Flight?
Arrive 2 hours before departure for domestic flights. SFO's security is generally efficient, but you still need time for parking, check-in, security, and reaching your gate. During peak hours or if checking bags, this buffer is essential.
How Early Should I Arrive at SFO for an International Flight?
Arrive 3 hours before departure for international flights. The International Terminal (Terminal A) handles all international flights and can be busy during peak travel times. Allow extra time for international check-in procedures.
When is SFO Most Busy?
SFO's busiest periods are 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm. Off-peak hours typically have much shorter waits.
How Much Time Should I Allow for Bay Area Traffic to SFO?
US-101 and I-280 experience heavy congestion during commute hours. From San Francisco, allow 45-60 minutes during rush hour, though the trip can be as short as 20-25 minutes during off-peak times. Use our calculator above for real-time traffic estimates based on your location.
Which SFO Terminal Should I Go To?
SFO has 4 terminals: Terminal 1 (Southwest), Terminal 2 (American, Virgin America), Terminal 3 (United), and International Terminal/Terminal A (all international flights). Check your airline before leaving. All terminals are connected post-security via AirTrain.
💡 Pro Tips for Airport
- ✓ SFO has efficient security - typically faster than LAX or JFK
- ✓ International Terminal (Terminal A) is furthest from highway entrance
- ✓ US-101 and I-280 traffic adds 20-40 minutes during rush hour
- ✓ BART train is a reliable alternative to driving
- ✓ Mobile Passport Control expedites international arrivals
Frequently Asked Questions
What are current SFO wait times?
The live SFO wait at the top of this page updates every few minutes from the airport's own checkpoint data. On a typical day, standard security takes about 15-25 minutes, and the busiest times are usually 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm.
How early should I arrive at SFO for a domestic flight?
Arrive 2 hours before your domestic flight departure. This allows time for parking or BART arrival (10-15 minutes), check-in and bag drop if needed (10-15 minutes), security screening, and walking to your gate (5-10 minutes). SFO's security is generally more efficient than LAX or other major airports. If you have TSA PreCheck and only carry-on luggage during off-peak hours (10am-3pm), 90 minutes might work, but 2 hours is safer.
How long does security take at SFO?
On a typical day, standard security at SFO takes about 15-25 minutes, longer at the busiest times (usually 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm). Check the live wait at the top of this page before you leave. TSA PreCheck usually shortens your wait. The International Terminal tends to have slightly longer lines than domestic terminals.
Can I take BART to SFO?
Yes! BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) provides direct service to SFO's International Terminal, with free AirTrain connections to all other terminals. BART is often faster than driving during rush hour, especially from San Francisco (30 minutes) and East Bay. Trains run every 15-20 minutes. This is a reliable, stress-free alternative to dealing with US-101 or I-280 traffic and airport parking.
Which SFO terminal should I go to?
Check your airline before leaving: Terminal 1 serves Southwest; Terminal 2 serves American, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines; Terminal 3 serves United; International Terminal (Terminal A) handles all international flights. If you need to transfer between terminals, use the free AirTrain which connects all terminals and runs 24/7. Allow 5-10 minutes for inter-terminal transfers.
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