San Francisco International Airport - SFO

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 lounge

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!