San Francisco International Airport (airport code SFO) is located approximately 21 kilometres south of downtown San Francisco.

Parking at the airport is plentiful and includes options for all travellers, including the convenient ‘Cell Phone’ short-term waiting area where you can await a call from a passenger prior to driving to meet them near the terminal. Short-term, daily, long-term and valet parking services are also offered.

San Francisco International can also be reached by various forms of public transportation, such as Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Amtrak, Airporters and Door to Door Vans. The airport’s website has a great section that explains all of your travel options based on your requirements.

San Francisco International serves as the base of operations for Virgin America, and is also a major hub for United Airlines which accounts for almost half of the airports total passenger traffic. The airport serves passengers to and from destinations all over America, Asia, Europe and Australasia-Oceania. The airport also has a cargo service available through 57 different carriers including 17 cargo only airlines.

The airport has 4 terminals (1, 2, 3 and international) and seven concourses (A through to G). There are a total of 93 gates currently in use. Interestingly, flights to and from Canada are allowed to use the domestic terminals because they are subject to a special “border pre-clearance” arrangement.

San Francisco International has many passenger amenities available, including numerous dining facilities, a medical facility and special assistance for lost or stranded passengers and military personnel. They also house a full service travel agency, hair salon and shower facilities. The airport is also home to a museum and library.

There are numerous hotels in the area plus various other kinds of accommodation.

Arrival and departure information for San Francisco airport is available on the airport’s official website at: http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/index.jsp.