Review Highlights
“I love how the Bart goes straight to downtown and pretty much gets you close enough to where you want to go.” in 570 reviews
“Dropped off at the international terminal, we made our way through security, which wasn't busy at all.” in 369 reviews
“It was super clean, had several art installments, great/clean restrooms and plenty of seating areas!” in 150 reviews
Location & Hours
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Amenities and More
About the Business
Established in 1927. Mills Field Municipal Airport of San Francisco was dedicated on land originally leased from California banker D.O. Mills.
Ask the Community
Q:
Can I bring cartridge razors on my carry-on? I checked out tsa.gov and the website said I can. I did see another post on here asking the same, but two people said no, and one said yes. I don't know what to believe
A:
If the web site says you can, then YES you can, but straight razor you cannot.
Rahi Y.1 person found this helpfulQ:
Does Lufthansa offer curbside bag check at this airport?
A:
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- 49346386Aug 27, 20241 check-in
First time flying into SFO and it was okay. The airport was clean and easy to navigate. However, the signage for share rides in the exterior waiting areas could be better as first time visitors would have no idea where to walk in search of an Uber/Lyft. Thankfully the app advised me to walk towards one of the designated areas (i.e. Section E / Terminal 3).
Flying out of SFO was okay as well - went through TSA (precheck) line relatively quickly, and flight left on time.Helpful 2Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0 - Terri P.San Francisco, CA336Aug 11, 2024
This place is a complete nightmare, and I'm not sure I'd recommend the place to anyone! There's too many other airports to choose from, and its worse than LAX and that's saying a lot. The wait times here were really long, almost to where you would miss your flight.
I feel they need to up their customer service, maybe hire more people. It's absurd, and wait times shouldn't take as long as they did.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - 406015069627Aug 6, 20241 check-in
First time flying in to SFO and most likely won't be my last but absolutely giving Oakland my love next time I travel up north or a fun road trip!
I appreciate all the airlines at San Francisco International Airport, especially Alaska, United, Delta, jetBlue and Southwest among the rest as well as security.
When I landed and exited I was both excited and overwhelmed by this huge iconic airport just outside of main San Fran in San Mateo County and sits between the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. Some say this is south San Francisco, but that make zero sense when it's not even in the same county... I don't make the rules for city limits... But if I did I would clarify lol.
SFO is a good 14 miles away from SF about a half hour or so depending on traffic - you can catch the BART and various connection into the city as well as Taxi and/or rideshare.
Arrivals are on the very bottom level which is usually the easiest to get to and out of once you know where to go. You can follow signs as well as ask for directions from airport staff - some maps in place, but it's a lot of port.
Departures are on the main level also known as 3 - specifici terminal and/or airline as you would for any major airport to navigate. If using rideshare they have a place to indicate your specific drop-off and/or pick-up in Lyft as well as Uber.
Being part of silicon valley you'll notice things like CafeX and other cool self-serving AI and robotics run things in a few places. Waymo hasn't been approved yet for airports, but don't be surprised if that changes in the next year or three. Loads of them and other self driving car services just outside the airport and absolutely throughout the cities.
I had an issue with my ticket for departing where my first name and last name where printed as one name together and the suffix of my name as my last name that resulted in me having to leave the security line three times to get this fixed and corrected by United... This factored for close the steps someone should take for a day... Nothing was close by - United changed my departure terminal and what should've been a quick scan through TSA took nearly the entire time I was at the airport arriving just before 8 AM and clearing by 10:11 AM to board 10 minutes later and take off shortly after was wild - too wild!
Almost all the airport staff I encountered was personable and helpful, though some not as much as others... All made an effort.
The shops, restaurants and decor were all clean, well put together and notable - lots of art, photos, and replicas in places that added a lot of charm in a streamline sort of way.
To be expected snacks and food as well as beverages are severely marked up, but I absolutely had my morning snack of Sahale nuts for $11 (normal around $5 to $6).
Seating, restrooms and water filling stations are pretty accommodating.
Once I arrived on Friday I made note of a lot so I could navigate a little better on Monday, but clearly I'll need to brave another go at it all.Helpful 7Thanks 2Love this 3Oh no 1 - 2293041960Jul 22, 2024
This airport is HUGE! Not the biggest but it's busy! Whew!
It has a nice selection of eateries- drinkeries lol and snacks or coffee of all kind besides retail! As you would expect everything has airport pricing AKA high!
There are interesting art installations or murals that creates a feast for the eyes! . I love a good airport if nothing else for people watching lol!
The lines were as expected long but not unbearable and for the most part folks were friendly even most but NOT ALL of the airport staff.
Bathrooms were clean and well stocked!
The only issue I had was each gate for boarding seemed crowded as in standing room only crowded - so that was a bit frustrating!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jul 16, 20242 check-ins
SF Global Entry Pass
This review is regarding enrolling for the SF Global Entry Pass at International arrivals. Great for frequent travelers and to avoid long lines at immigration. Also TSA pre-check approved.
- Made an appointment online and paid $100 fee.
- Location is opposite escalator on the far left of entering International Arrivals.
- Waited in seating area by escalator opposite the Global entry room
- An officer came out exactly at the time of my appointment.
- Sat at one one the 5 booths to show passport, ID and answered a few questions regarding criminal past, occupation, and travel plans
- Took photo and fingers prints at the booth.
- Given a form with further details about the Global Entry pass.
- The whole process was quick & efficient. Took just over 5 mins.
- Pass should arrive within 3-4 weeks by mail and last 5 years.
Hope the above is helpful for anyone applying for the pass!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jun 20, 2024Updated review
I write for a single purpose: to explain how to use BART. I have already described this terrific airport: SFO is consistently rated among the best, if not the very best, among its American peers, in particular for a large city. I will promote BART. I fly more than 100 times per year, and if I have time I use BART into the city, because the cost is about 20%, at most, of a taxicab or Uber. It also allows transfer to MUNI if you need that, and CalTrain (I use that less, but I have taken it).
What I wish to highlight is the ease of walking to the BART station. It is located adjacent to the international terminal. You can take the AirTrain. There is nothing wrong with that. It is efficient. It is easy.
If you are ambulatory, however -- and, again, allow me to emphasize I understand people have mobility issues, luggage to pull, children in tow, etc., and there are very good reasons to ride -- but it you are into it at all, such as to log steps, the walk is less than a half mile. I have put into the photos a screenshot from Terminal 1, the check in area, to the BART turnstile. After learning the route, this is what I prefer. As good as AirTrain is, I don't see the reason to add an extra ride. It's also beneficial to stretch after sitting for six hours on the plane. Try it. As the photo I posted shows, it was less than 8 minutes. I was sauntering and wending my way through crowds.
PS The Clipper card system functions as it is supposed to. If you are using an iPhone, point the top of the device at the circle that scans for it. Do not put it down flat. It works 10x better. A station agent explained that to me. She was an expert. I share her tip.Helpful 0Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0Jul 8, 2022Previous reviewI fly into SFO every week. My wife lives in San Francisco, and I live in New York City. So this is her home airport and the one I use most often after JFK. I write to offer three observations for the benefit of users of Yelp.
The first is about the city. Yelp doesn't have an entries for municipalities. It is the simple note that the Bay Area has widely varying weather conditions at any given time, and the city proper in its 49 square miles can have dramatically different temperatures due to the "microclimates." People don't seem to realize this. Mark Twain famously remarked the coldest winter he even spent was a summer in San Francisco. This is not Los Angeles. Locals adapt in varying manners. You can be walking in July and see people in down jackets -- and no, I am not exaggerating, because it can be 55 degrees with fog and wind. You also can see, on the same block, other folks in shorts, some of them tourists who are shivering (others of them individuals who have just decided they will tough it out). You are well served year round with a lightweight jacket and a cap.
The second is about the artwork at SFO. They have multiple displays. They are terrific. I haven't seen another airport anywhere with as good a set of rotating displays of everything from objects to clothing to technology to ceramics. The best photo I have with a celebrity is with Kirk Hammett. He is the guitarist for the heavy metal band Metallica. He happens to live in the Bay Area; I'm not sure where. But a few years back, when Virgin America was still flying, he and the whole group were headed to one of those big music festivals, and they filled up first class. Well, before we boarded I bumped into him. But that isn't the funny part. He is one of the world's leading collectors, it turns out, of horror movie memorabilia, stuff such as posters and also guitars that have monster themes. SFO had his collection as their exhibit. My wife and I were walking by, and she noticed him. He was hanging out, looking at his own possessions in display cases. That was such a weird moment. We went up and I stupidly said something such as, are you just always here with your collection? Of course it was coincidence, which we discovered once we boarded the same flight they were on. But there he was. Whoever the curator is, s/he puts on fascinating shows. There was a collection of math related objects, such as Rubik's Cube puzzles, abacuses, and blown glass shaped like Escher drawings, paradoxically curving inside out. There were photos of and outfits worn by female motorcyclists, from a century ago. The latest is the Harvey Milk tribute in the terminal named for him. The images are human, humane, and compelling, so clearly of a person who cared about other people, they have to have an effect in addressing homophobia.
The third is about the new feature of quiet. When I started flying again after the pandemic, I didn't understand the signs. I thought they were instructing passengers not to talk, like in the quiet car of a train. That isn't it at all. The policy is that the PA announcements are reduced to virtually nothing. Until you experience this, you don't realize how aggravating the constant blaring of departures and admonitions is at most airports. This is a relief that makes travel so much more pleasant. The port authorities of other jurisdictions ought to take note. - May 8, 2024
I flew in and out of SFO in April, arriving very early in the morning on a Sunday and then departing on a Friday afternoon. All in all this to me is a very average airport. The pros of SFO are that for an airport of this size I had no problem getting through security on a Friday, and navigation is simple - it's very easy to find your gate. I appreciate that it's walkable, and that they have a healthy amount of food, water bottle refill stations, and restrooms available as well. That's about where the accolades stop for me though.
I think I've become spoiled as my hometown airport was recently redone and I think the food options are top notch, but I was really let down by the offerings at SFO. I had what I would call the saddest breakfast sandwich of my life at this airport, and I was really annoyed that the Starbucks was located outside of security. If you are either going to not have a Starbucks, or place it in an inconvenient location, you should have top notch local options available to folks. It didn't bother me so much that Starbucks wasn't there, but rather that there was nothing that even lived up to Starbucks standard available. I felt kind of the same on my return visit as I was hoping to grab a bite for lunch while I waited for my plane to depart. I ended up at this local looking place that seemed on the nicer end, but the sandwich I got was criminally expensive and lacked any real flavor.
Finally, we rented a car here and the whole experience trying to find the car rental area, to finding our car, etc. was a bit of a cluster.
Overall, SFO is not a bad airport, but it's not one to write home about either. It gets the job done.Helpful 5Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - May 30, 2024
Basically it's a big ass airport. It can be easy to get lost in here. San Francisco International Airport is located in the southern part of the city so getting to and from it requires public transportation. Avoid driving here because it blows. The airport has many good restaurants except for prices.
A confusing place to get around with everything. It's got a connector train between the terminals. This saves quite a lot of walking. Also get here by trains from the city. Has a convenient connection to the BART system. A lot of good places are in here to eat. It's got quite a few to choose from. The Amy's Drive Thru is the best one for vegans. Also has a lot of the typical fast food chains. There's also lots of shops to buy gifts.
For an airport it's not that bad. It's pretty clean for the most part. The getting around is made better and faster by the trains.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - May 2, 2024Updated review
Flew out of SFO the other day and it was a decent experience. My Uber dropped me off in front of the International terminal which was quick and easy.
The terminal was quiet and the toilets were clean and well stocked.
Security was quick with TSA Precheck. I went through security within minutes with no line!
Airline lounges were readily marked and easy to locate.
Boarding was quick and easy as I was able to board my plane directly from the airline loungeHelpful 5Thanks 2Love this 4Oh no 0Dec 29, 2017Previous reviewTraveled through SFO the other night and it was a great experience. Drop off was easy at the international terminal and the check-in areas were spacious.
TSA Pre-Check is available, even for some International carriers which made security screening easy and painless! No need to remove shoes, laptops when TSA Pre-Check!Jun 16, 2017Previous reviewSFO is easy enough to fly out of. Ride share drop off is on the departure level and is quick and easy.
International terminal is in great shape and spacious. Lines for security can be long, the more reason to pony up for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry if you travel quite a bit.
Their food options have surprisingly improved although it's still at a slight premium compared with outside food.
Plenty of seating by the gates make this an easy airport to work with!
Tip: if you drop off at arrivals, there's free carts!Sep 21, 2013Previous reviewSFO's international terminal is a very comfortable airport to fly in and out of. Facilities are spacious and the TSA isn't overly obknoxious with their blue nitrile gloves and matching uniforms...
...the check-in agents appear to be generic to SFO as the ground crew weren't wearing my specific airline's uniform!
...I did see my ground crew again when it was time for boarding.Jan 1, 2012Previous reviewAfter the international terminal remodel a few years ago, SFO is one of the popping places to fly out of. SFO is my airport of choice for long-haul flights! :)
...with the repaving and remapping of the roads, pick up and drop offs are now easy too! :) - Apr 25, 2024
What can I say? Flying in and out of SFO is such a great experience.
I wouldn't say that my airport knowledge is vast but every time I've flown in and out of SFO, it's been a breeze. I usually come into and leave from the Harvey Milk Terminal and its not too bad of a walk from security and to baggage claim. The airport is super clean and they have water fill stations everywhere.
Pretty good food options and the bathrooms are consistently kept clean with spacious stalls in case you need to bring your luggage in with you.
Overall, a great airport!Helpful 12Thanks 2Love this 12Oh no 0
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