Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The most up-to-date flight information can be obtained from the airline by visiting its website or calling its reservations phone number. Arrival and departure information is also available here.

SFO suggests that you check with your airline directly for its recommended arrival time. For domestic flights, most airlines suggest arriving two hours before departure. For international flights, most airlines recommend arriving three hours before departure.

If you have lost an item on an aircraft, please contact the airline directly. For items lost at a security checkpoint, contact Covenant Security at 800.764.8050 or [email protected]. For items lost at all other locations, including AirTrain, contact the San Francisco Police Department Lost and Found at 650.821.7014 or [email protected].

No. State sales tax is not the same as a value-added tax (VAT). The state sales tax is a small tax on purchases or services, calculated at the time of purchase, which individual states assess and which the U.S. federal government neither determines nor receives. The VAT, on the other hand, is a national tax that is included in the actual sales price rather than at the time of purchase. The United States does not have a VAT, and the federal government cannot refund state sales taxes. State taxes are generally not charged to diplomats or employees of some international organizations who have been issued a tax-exemption card. This card must be presented at the time of purchase in order for sales taxes to be waived. (Source: United States Customs and Border Protection).

SFO's mailing address is: San Francisco International Airport PO Box 8097 San Francisco, CA 94128 For online mapping services, please enter “SFO” on the “Find Business or Address” line. Most GPS devices are pre-programmed with airport addresses. Look under “Landmarks," or a similar topic heading, for "San Francisco International Airport" or "SFO." Alternatively, use the address “ Highway 101, San Francisco, 94128.” Driving directions, including printable maps, are also available from flysfo.com.

Paging services are available by calling 1.800.I.FLY.SFO or 650.821.8211. Select “2” for paging services.

The airport is open 24 hours a day, and some restaurants are also open 24 hours a day. Shop and restaurant hours are listed in flysfo.com’s Shopping and Dining directories. Security checkpoint hours vary by boarding area. Each security checkpoint closes after the last flight departs from the boarding area it serves.

Consult the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) website for up-to-date information on permitted and prohibited items, including medications and children’s items.

Passengers who do not or cannot present an acceptable ID will have to provide information to the Transportation Security Officer performing Travel Document Checking duties in order to verify their identity. Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by the TSA may not be allowed to go through the checkpoint or onto an airplane. For more information visit the TSA website.

Baggage storage is exclusively available at the Airport Travel Agency, located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102. The Airport Travel Agency is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. No reservations are required for baggage storage. All baggage is x-rayed prior to storage. Rates are assessed per each 24 hour period that an article is in storage (articles in storage for less than 24 hours will be subject to the 24 hour rate), and vary according to the size of the object. Please contact the Airport Travel Agency at 650.877.0422 or [email protected] for additional information.

Shower facilities are available at Freshen Up! located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.  Freshen Up! is open 24 hours-a-day; For additional information call 650.877.0798.

Free WiFi service is available in all terminals. To access free WiFi at SFO: 1. Select the Wi-Fi network named "SFO-WiFi" or "#SFOFREEWIFI" 2. Launch your browser 3. Check acceptance of Service Terms and Conditions 4. Click the "Connect" button to access the Internet

Smoking is permitted only in the designated smoking areas outside of the terminal buildings. Smoking is not permitted within 20 feet of main entrances, exits, and operable windows of airport buildings.

AirTrain, SFO's fully automated people mover, provides a convenient way to transfer terminals. AirTrain operates on two lines: the Red Line, which connects all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station; and the Blue Line, which connects all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station with the Rental Car Center. AirTrain operates 24 hours every day.

Baggage assistance is available to all departing guests upon request. Approach the curbside attendant upon your arrival to the Airport, or dial 9.821.9187 from the telephones located at the main entry doors or 650.821.9187 from your cell phone.

Airport Butler offers customized airport concierge services including meet and assist for departing, arriving and connecting passengers. Services are available in multiple languages. For more information or to make a reservation, visit airportbutler.com or call 855.822.9868. For wheelchair, language, baggage and flight connection assistance, please contact your airline.

Procedures regarding gate passes for unaccompanied minors and elderly adults vary by airline.  Please contact your airline for their policy. With the exception of persons arriving on international flights, United States military personnel traveling under orders may be met at and accompanied to the gate by immediate family.  Please visit the Transportation Security Administration website for complete information on Military Family gate passes.

Yes.  SFO's Cell Phone Waiting Lot is located near the Long Term Parking facility.  Visit Cell Phone Waiting Lot for complete information and directions.

If the pet is traveling on your flight it will be delivered to baggage claim. If the pet is shipped separately, please contact your airline for their cargo office location.

Cargo pick up and drop off procedures and locations vary by airline. For complete instructions, please contact the cargo office of your selected carrier.

A number of hotels in different prices ranges are located near the airport. Descriptions and booking services are provided by the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau website, under the hotel search category “San Francisco International Airport.”

A full United States Postal Service branch is located offsite from the terminals at 660 West Field Road, San Francisco, CA 94128. Hours are as follows: Retail Hours Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Closed Lobby Hours Monday through Sunday, 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. At SFO, mailboxes are located outside of all terminal buildings. FedEx, UPS and USPS shipping and courier service are available to the Airport Travel Agency. Contact the travel agency at 650.877.0422 or [email protected] for full information.

For a list of shops, restaurants and services at SFO offer a military discount, visit our military page.