SFO
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, US
Security · Estimated from historical data
9min
For departing passengers
Immigration · Estimated from historical data
11min
For arriving passengers
Check-in
1min
For departing passengers
Status
Normal
Data quality
Btier
Location
San Francisco
Security · today · typical by hour
Estimated Fast · steady Fast all day
Estimated reading for this moment. Bars show typical wait per hour — past and future hours use the same historical pattern, not live queue clocks for each bar.
12a
3a
6a
9a
12p
3p
6p
9p
FastNormalSlowSevereCurrent hour
Immigration · today · typical by hour
Estimated Fast · steady Fast all day
Estimated reading for this moment. Bars show typical wait per hour — past and future hours use the same historical pattern, not live queue clocks for each bar.
12a
3a
6a
9a
12p
3p
6p
9p
FastNormalSlowSevereCurrent hour
FAA Operational Status
HIGH DELAYSGround Delay Program (GDP) Active
FAA-imposed delays to manage air traffic flow
~38 min
Average delay
Reason:other
Expected to end: Jul 11, 12:59 PM PDT
Delay Causes
other
Data updated regularly • Updates every 2-5 minutes during delays
San Francisco International Airport
Current Wait Times
Premium
Quiet
5/6 checkpoints openSecurity severity
Fast
Immigration severity
Fast
Check-in severity
Fast
Security
Estimated from historical data
9 min
Immigration
Estimated from historical data
11 min
Traffic Score94
Traveler Reports
📋
No traveler reports for SFO yet — yours improves predictions for everyone.
Wait Times by Terminal
Checkpoint 35
9min
TSA Avg
departing
TSA Checkpoints
Security Checkpoint T1 B Mezzanine
4:00 AM - 11:00 PMOpen
International Terminal
9min
TSA Avg
departing
TSA Checkpoints
Boarding Area A Checkpoint
12:00 AM - 2:00 AM, 5:00 AM - 12:00 AMOpen
Boarding Area G Checkpoint
12:00 AM - 1:00 AM, 5:00 AM - 12:00 AMOpen
Terminal 1
TSA Checkpoints
Boarding Area B Checkpoint
12:00 AM - 1:00 AM, 11:00 PM - 12:00 AMClosed
Terminal 2
9min
TSA Avg
departing
TSA Checkpoints
Boarding Area D Checkpoint
4:00 AM - 12:00 AMOpen
Terminal 3
9min
TSA Avg
departing
TSA Checkpoints
Boarding Area F1 Checkpoint
12:00 AM - 1:00 AM, 4:00 AM - 12:00 AMOpen
Wait times vary by time of day. Select your airline to see your terminal.
Total Queue Time Estimate
CombinedSecurity
9
min
Immigration
11
min
Total
20
min
Add ~30 min for check-in & boarding
See breakdown Data Source
Historical
Best Time to Arrive
Avoid Peak Hours
TSA PreCheck Savings
Significant
View exact savingsBased on historical pattern analysis
Wait Time History — San Francisco International Airport
HistoricalSecurity wait times at SFO over time, based on live sensor and API data.
Security wait
No historical wait data yet for this range.
Check back soon — data is captured hourly.
Skip the security lines with CLEAR+ at 5 terminals:
International Terminal, Checkpoint A
International Terminal, Checkpoint G
Terminal 1, Checkpoint B
Terminal 2, Checkpoint D
Terminal 3, Checkpoint F
Skip customs lines with the free Mobile Passport Control app - a great alternative to CLEAR+ for international arrivals.
- No fees: Completely free, no enrollment required
- Fast processing: Submit customs declaration before arrival
- Group travel: Up to 12 people on one submission
- Wide availability: Active at 35+ US airports
Available for US citizens and Canadian visitors at participating airports
Quick Actions
Aviation Weather · METAR
VFR
Clear skies · good visibility
Clear skies · good visibility
Wind
19 kt
NW
Visibility
10+SM
0510+
Ceiling
800ft
2 layers
Temp
64°F
Dew 52°· Δ7°
Planning & Preparation
Skip SFO Security Lines
Get Priority Pass lounge access + fast track security with the Amex Platinum Card
- Priority Pass with 1,400+ lounges worldwide
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit ($100)
- Centurion Lounge access at major airports
Airport Information
Related Airports & Connections
Compare wait times at nearby airports and major hubs
Compare Multiple Airports
See side-by-side wait time comparisons
Tips for San Francisco International Airport
- Arrive at least 90 minutes early for domestic and 150 minutes for international flights.
- Security is typically busiest 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM. Midday flights (11 AM-2 PM) usually have the shortest queues.
- All Terminals typically has the shortest security wait times.
- TSA PreCheck is available here. Enrolled travelers typically wait about 5 minutes — roughly half the standard line.
- CLEAR Plus is available in 5 terminals. Members can skip directly to the physical screening area.
- Check in online and use mobile boarding passes to skip the check-in counter and head straight to security.
Next 12 hours
More About San Francisco International Airport
SFO Security Wait Times
Detailed checkpoint data and predictions for San Francisco International Airport
SFO Immigration & Passport Control
Immigration processing times and tips for arriving passengers
Best Time to Arrive at SFO
Personalized arrival time recommendations based on your flight
SFO When-to-Arrive Calculator
Calculate exactly when to leave for your SFO flight
Compare SFO with Other Airports
See how SFO wait times stack up against any airport
SFO Airport Parking
Compare parking options and save up to 70% on rates
All United States Airports
Browse airports and wait times across United States
SFO Airport FAQs
For San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Current wait times show approximately 9 minutes for security and 11 minutes for immigration, so plan accordingly.
The queue index at San Francisco International Airport indicates overall airport congestion levels based on security, immigration, and check-in wait times. A low queue index (under 30%) means smooth operations, moderate (30-70%) suggests normal traffic, and high (over 70%) indicates busy conditions with longer waits.
San Francisco International Airport offers various amenities including TSA PreCheck and Clear for expedited security, lounges, dining and shopping, currency exchange, free WiFi, and ground transportation options. Premium travelers can access airline lounges with Priority Pass or credit card memberships.
Terminal connections at San Francisco International Airport vary by airport. Most large airports offer free shuttle services, AirTrain or automated people movers, and walking paths. Check the airport map or information desk for the fastest route between terminals.
Airport Lounges
21 loungesAir Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Terminal 2, sector 4, fourth floorAirside
Air France-KLM Lounge
International Terminal A, Level 3 after securityAirside
Air India Maharaja Lounge
International Terminal A, Level 4 near gate A1Airside
Alaska Lounge
Terminal 1, across from gate B6Airside
American Airlines Admirals Club
Terminal 1, Concourse B near gate B13Airside
Quick Info
Peak Hours
6-9 AM13min
11 AM-2 PM7min
4-7 PM12min
Quick Tips
- Arrive 2-3 hours early for international flights
- Check-in online to save time
- Use TSA PreCheck for faster screening
- CLEAR+ available at this airport
When to Arrive
Domestic Flight
90 min
before departure
International Flight
150 min
before departure
Quick Links
Security wait times at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) currently average 9 minutes. Check-in typically takes 14 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes.
Last updated: July 11, 2026
About San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serves San Francisco in United States. As one of the world's busiest airports, SFO handles millions of passengers annually. During peak travel periods, security lines can extend significantly — plan your arrival time carefully.
Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus are available at SFO, giving enrolled travelers significantly faster screening. CLEAR is available in 5 terminals.
The busiest travel periods at SFO are Jul, Aug, Dec. During these months, wait times can be 30-50% longer than average. Consider arriving at least 3 hours before international flights during peak season.