Compass Books

    Claimed
    $$ Bookshops
    Closed6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Review Highlights

    Location & Hours

    Map

    780 S Airport Blvd

    Terminal 2

    San Francisco, CA 94128

    United States

    Mon

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Tue

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Wed

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Thu

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Closed now

    Fri

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Sat

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Sun

    • 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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    Overall rating

    45 reviews

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    • Photo of Fred T.
      Fred T.
      Palo Alto, United States
      1720
      1440
      45678
      4 May 2023

      In this day and age, a honest to goodness bookstore is always a refreshing find.

      Prices are in line with what you would find on the outside, in general, decent selection of new releases and other books, and a friendly staff to help if you need it.

      Simply fun to browse and see what is still out there in print

      Helpful 3
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    • Photo of Nathan B.
      Nathan B.
      Anchorage, United States
      60
      653
      1670
      6 Aug 2022

      Five stars for one simple reason:

      They have books on sale. I'll say that again, SALE! And they are some good books! Books one might actually be able to get lost within. And getting lost in a book when you are traveling can be an amazing thing.

      I cannot recall ever walking into an airport bookstore and not finding full priced books. Here I found two full tables of books priced under ten dollars.

      There were two or three Palahniuk books, several classics, and a score of other authors I recognized and would have been happy to read. (I, of course, had three books in my bag, and several more on my Nook).

      There were even books in Spanish!

      There were lots of new releases for full price and a great selection of genres. Basically, a little something for everyone. Young adults, children, and bestsellers.

      There was a section with journals.

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    • Photo of Scott H.
      Scott H.
      San Francisco, United States
      123
      3475
      4134
      12 Jun 2022

      Nice book store with a good selection. Friendly staff. This is an airport location. Still not comfortable handling books in a bookstore without some requirement for customers use hand sanitizer.

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    • Photo of Deb L.
      Deb L.
      Monroe, United States
      0
      116
      65
      24 Feb 2024

      Made me very uncomfortable. I selected to not donate/round up to the charity suggested at the cash register. The clerk was continuing to ask and I had to tell him no multiple times. Each time he asked his tone was less friendly.

      Helpful 1
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    • Photo of Shane S.
      Shane S.
      San Francisco, United States
      108
      960
      5290
      19 May 2021

      Stellar bookstore in the airport. This the West's oldest Independent bookstore on Turtle Island. This airport bookstore could easily stand as a superb bookstore in any town in the US. Smart selection. Am sure you can find something interesting if here. Recommended for book lovers!

      Helpful 5
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    • Photo of Brittany S.
      Brittany S.
      Indianapolis, United States
      4973
      2871
      23325
      13 Feb 2018

      I really get my rocks off perusing the stacks at airport bookstores. Something about not feeling as rushed as usual, uncovering the latest best sellers and development books, crossing my fingers for a clearance section and catching up on what all the cool kids are reading these days. Compass Books is an exceptional airport bookstore and it appeared that others would agree because they were fairly busy during my visit and offered a decent-sized discount book section. Larger than you typically find in airports with books starting out as low as $6.

      During my ten minute visit I discovered sooo many books and gifts that I would love to buy - I feel like I visit a fair number of bookstores and this one nailed it at offering fun and fresh titles and gifts. The space was also well organized and easy to navigate with sections being clearly labeled (travel, kids, cooking, magazines, development, etc.).

      Helpful 5
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    • Photo of Gabi M.
      Gabi M.
      Phoenix, United States
      3881
      2520
      4614
      3 Nov 2017

      I travel to and from SFO often, and this Compass Books location is a regular stop for me during my travels...

      I typically stop in on my way back to PHX, as it's always a good place to spend a few minutes looking around when I have time to spare before my flight. Selection isn't earth shattering by any means, but if you're looking for cute cards, stationary or gifts, or books of course, you're sure to find something here.

      The staff isn't overly friendly, but they are pleasant enough and don't seem to mind people lingering to read a magazine or book before purchasing (or not).

      On my most recent stop-in last month, I purchased a handful of children's books for my kids and on previous trips, I've purchased little notebooks and cards.

      Prices are not cheap but they are reasonable vs. what you'll find outside of the airport.

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    • Photo of Elena N.
      Elena N.
      San Jose, United States
      1892
      3542
      14864
      20 Sept 2017

      I always like having magazines to read when on a plane. The roommate and I were flying to Miami, so I decided to stop by Compass Books on Saturday, September 2nd around 9:30pm to browse.

      They had a pretty good selection of magazines. I ended up getting a Travel & Leisure, a San Francisco, and a Glamour magazine. I guess each one appealed to a different side of me. The travel one, the inner fattie one, and the shopping one. I believe prices charged are the ones on the magazine, so unless I made my way to a store that provides discounts on the listed prices, I didn't pay any more. Check out was fast and easy. Our cashier was very nice.

      Convenient if you're flying out of Terminal 2 and need some last minute reading material.

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    • Photo of Jess L.
      Jess L.
      New York, United States
      3505
      5358
      5487
      20 Feb 2018

      This bookstore is unlike any airport bookstore I've seen before. Just speaking to the card selection, I think the selection and quality of the cards is better than many bookstores or stationary stores that I've seen inside of airports. Killing time, I was able to pick up four very tasteful, pretty, and high-quality cards that I will use on my trip.

      I wish I could've spent more time here, but I noticed some fun novelty items like funny socks. The store seems like a great one to get last-minute gifts.

      Helpful 3
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    • Photo of Julio B.
      Julio B.
      San Francisco, United States
      79
      266
      129
      3 Jan 2020

      I remember the first time I walked by this place back in the Summer of 2017. I was about to embark on a plane to Las Vegas, Nevada all by myself fo the very first time.I got the feeling that I was home. I used to love going to book stores back in the late 90s, while I was in high school! Knowledge is, definitely, power!
      The terminal used to be for Virgin Airlines. One entire terminal all for Virgin Air. Now, of course, it's owned by Alaska Airlines.

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    2 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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