Last updated 7 minutes ago
Average security wait time at SFO: 5 min
This airport uses private security contractors and is not affected by the TSA shutdown. SFO screening operations continue normally.
Want to know which specific checkpoint lane is fastest right now? GateReady Fast Pass shows you lane-by-lane data — General, TSA Pre, CLEAR, and Priority lanes updated every 15 minutes.
Try Fast Pass Free for 7 DaysCurrent security wait times at each SFO terminal
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Fast Pass members get Smart Routing — we tell you which terminal has the shortest wait and give you step-by-step directions including train times between terminals.
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Carry-on only. Checked bags must go through your ticketed terminal.
Know which terminal to head to before you arrive
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Porter, Sun Country |
| Terminal 2 | Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, Breeze Airways |
| Terminal 3 | United Airlines |
| International Terminal | Air France, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines |
See how terminals are connected and plan your route through San Francisco International Airport
Schematic layout -- not to scale. Times shown are approximate transit times between terminals.
San Francisco International Airport is a major hub for United Airlines and a gateway for tech industry travelers and Pacific Rim flights. It has four terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal — serving over 57 million passengers per year. The airport is known for its modern Terminal 2 and extensive art exhibitions. SFO uses private security contractors through the TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP). During federal government shutdowns, SFO continues to operate normally while TSA-staffed airports may experience extended delays.
Terminals
4
Checkpoints
5
TSA PreCheck
Available
Terminal 2 has the fastest security experience — it was redesigned in 2011 with efficiency in mind.
The International Terminal has separate boarding areas (A and G); check your gate letter before choosing a security line.
United Airlines passengers can use the Terminal 3 checkpoint even if their flight departs from a Terminal 3 or International Terminal gate.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) connects directly to SFO from downtown San Francisco in about 30 minutes.
Fog delays are common in summer mornings — check your flight status before heading to the airport.
SFO uses private screening (SPP) — during government shutdowns, security here operates normally unlike TSA-staffed airports.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) to use expedited screening lanes. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Remove prohibited items before joining the line. The most common causes of secondary screening are oversized liquids, forgotten water bottles, and loose electronics.
Long security lines are not inevitable. Several trusted traveler programs let you bypass the standard screening queue at SFO. Here is what is available and what each program costs.
Available at SFO and 200+ US airports
TSA PreCheck members use a dedicated screening lane where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids stay in your bag. The average PreCheck wait time is under 5 minutes nationwide.
CLEAR is available at San Francisco International Airport
CLEAR uses biometric screening (fingerprints or iris scan) to verify your identity, letting you skip the ID verification line entirely. When paired with TSA PreCheck, you go from the CLEAR lane directly into the PreCheck screening line — often clearing security in under 2 minutes.
Several travel credit cards reimburse the enrollment fees for trusted traveler programs. These cards pay for themselves by covering your PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR membership costs as a statement credit.
$400/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus points
$525/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 80,000 bonus miles
The current average security wait time at San Francisco International Airport is approximately 5 min. Wait times are updated every 15 minutes to keep you informed.
San Francisco International Airport has 4 terminals, each with its own security checkpoint. Wait times vary by terminal and time of day. GateReady tracks each checkpoint individually so you can compare in real time on the SFO live dashboard.
Yes, San Francisco International Airport offers TSA PreCheck at multiple checkpoints. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in bags. Enrollment costs $78 for five years. SFO also offers CLEAR, a separate biometric screening service that lets you skip the ID verification line entirely (from $189/year).
For domestic flights at San Francisco International Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During holiday periods and peak travel times, add an extra 30-60 minutes. Use GateReady's Best Time to Arrive calculator for a personalized recommendation based on current SFO security conditions.
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Fast Pass members get tools that take the guesswork out of SFO security:
Best for international travelers
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and adds expedited US customs processing when you return from international trips. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line, you use a kiosk with facial recognition and walk through in minutes. If you fly internationally even once a year, Global Entry is the better value over standalone PreCheck.
Best for US-Canada travelers
NEXUS is a joint US-Canada trusted traveler program that includes both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits at the same price as Global Entry alone. If you travel between the US and Canada, NEXUS is the best overall value — you get expedited screening in both countries plus all the domestic PreCheck benefits.
$650/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
See all cards with travel perks on the full comparison page.
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GateReady provides independent airport intelligence. Wait time estimates are based on real-time data and may vary. Not affiliated with TSA or any airport authority.
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