Terminals & gates at SFO
San Francisco, California
Terminal layout at SFO
San Francisco International Airport is organized into 5 terminals. Each one groups carriers and services together so that connections inside a terminal stay short and predictable. Inter-terminal travel is handled by a free shuttle, walkway, or — at the largest hubs — an automated people mover.
The terminal layout below reflects the standard configuration for SFO. Concourse letters and gate counts can shift slightly during construction, so always confirm your gate against the airport's official departure board the morning of your flight.
Terminal A · 46 gates
Terminal A is one of the primary departure halls at SFO. It holds approximately 46 active gates and a full slate of pre- and post-security amenities. Walking time from the security checkpoint to the farthest gate is roughly 23 minutes — useful to know if you cut it close.
Airlines based here
On-site amenities
- Family restrooms and nursing rooms
- Airline lounges (Centurion, Sky Club, Polaris, Admirals)
- Walk-up rideshare pickup
- Local craft beer bar
- Wellness rooms with massage chairs
Terminal B · 41 gates
Terminal B is one of the primary departure halls at SFO. It holds approximately 41 active gates and a full slate of pre- and post-security amenities. Walking time from the security checkpoint to the farthest gate is roughly 20 minutes — useful to know if you cut it close.
Airlines based here
On-site amenities
- Self-bag-drop kiosks
- Duty-free shopping
- Walk-up rideshare pickup
- Pet relief area
- Local craft beer bar
Terminal C · 37 gates
Terminal C is one of the primary departure halls at SFO. It holds approximately 37 active gates and a full slate of pre- and post-security amenities. Walking time from the security checkpoint to the farthest gate is roughly 18 minutes — useful to know if you cut it close.
Airlines based here
On-site amenities
- Duty-free shopping
- Mobile ordering for food pickup
- Interfaith chapel
- Self-bag-drop kiosks
- TSA PreCheck lanes
Terminal D · 32 gates
Terminal D is one of the primary departure halls at SFO. It holds approximately 32 active gates and a full slate of pre- and post-security amenities. Walking time from the security checkpoint to the farthest gate is roughly 16 minutes — useful to know if you cut it close.
Airlines based here
On-site amenities
- Walk-up rideshare pickup
- Sit-down dining concourse
- Mobile ordering for food pickup
- Interfaith chapel
- Duty-free shopping
Terminal E · 28 gates
Terminal E is one of the primary departure halls at SFO. It holds approximately 28 active gates and a full slate of pre- and post-security amenities. Walking time from the security checkpoint to the farthest gate is roughly 14 minutes — useful to know if you cut it close.
Airlines based here
On-site amenities
- Family restrooms and nursing rooms
- TSA PreCheck lanes
- Mobile ordering for food pickup
- International arrivals hall
- Currency exchange
Connecting between terminals
If your itinerary routes you between terminals at SFO, give yourself extra time. Inter-terminal connections involve either a secure airside shuttle, a landside walkway that requires re-clearing security, or a people mover. Allow at least 45 minutes for a domestic-to-domestic connection and at least 90 minutes if you're transitioning between an international arrival and a domestic departure, since you'll need to clear customs and re-check bags.
Signage inside the terminal will direct you to the connection point. Look for "Inter-Terminal Transit" or the airport's branded shuttle name. Posted ride times are usually accurate but assume a wait of three to seven minutes during peak hours.