San Francisco Airport Security Wait Times Guide
SFO Flight Delays
Before you head to San Francisco International Airport, it's advisable to check if there are any departure delays. Alternatively, you can use our convenient flight tracker to keep an eye on the status of a particular flight.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
Here are the security checkpoints at the airport, including their locations and operating hours.
West TSA Checkpoint
- Type: Standard screening, TSA PreCheck, and Accessibility and Functional Needs
- Hours: 4:00 AM – 7:30 PM
South TSA Checkpoint
- Type: Standard screening, TSA PreCheck, and Accessibility and Functional Needs
- Hours: 3:00 AM – 1:00 AM (next day)
Bridge (A-Bridge) Security TSA Checkpoint
- Type: Standard screening only (no CLEAR/PreCheck access)
- Hours: 4:30 AM – 5:45 PM
See information below for CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck (via CLEAR) enrollment hours and locations.
All data is subject to change by the Airport, TSA, CLEAR, or other authorities.
TSA PreCheck at SFO
TSA PreCheck is a program that provides expedited security screening at participating airports, including San Francisco Airport (SFO). By being a part of this program, travelers can enjoy benefits such as not having to remove shoes, light outerwear, and belts, and keeping laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at SFO:
- TSA PreCheck is available at all SFO TSA Checkpoints: A, B, C, D, F1, F3, and G.
- The service is designed for frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
Learn More About TSA PreCheck:
- For detailed information on how to enroll in TSA PreCheck, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at SFO:
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Air India
- Alaska Airlines
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- China Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- EVA Air
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Finnair
- Flair Airlines
- French bee
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Icelandair
- Interjet
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Norwegian Air
- Philippine Airlines
- Qantas
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Volaris
- WestJet
- ZIPAIR
iFly Tip: Visit our Baggage Cutoff Times page for tips on managing your luggage effectively.
CLEAR+ & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck help speed up your security process at SFO Airport using biometric authentication and advanced technology. You can enroll in CLEAR+ and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR+locations. Start your enrollment online and bring your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the process in person. Enroll in TSA PreCheck now. You can choose TSA PreCheck alone or bundle it with CLEAR+ at a discount.
CLEAR+ Lane Locations:- International Terminal, Checkpoint A: 7:00am - 10:00pm, Near Gates A1-A15
- International Terminal, Checkpoint G: 6:00am - 10:00pm, Near Gates G1-G14
- Terminal 1, Checkpoint B: 4:00am - 11:00pm, Near Gates B6-B18
- Terminal 2, Checkpoint D: 4:00am - 11:00pm
- Terminal 3, Checkpoint F: 4:00am - 11:00pm
- International Terminal, Checkpoint A
- CLEAR+ Enrollment: 7:00am - 10:00pm
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 7:00am - 8:00pm
- Located on departures level in front of the security checkpoint
- International Terminal, Checkpoint G
- CLEAR+ Enrollment: 6:00am - 10:00pm
- Terminal 1, Checkpoint B
- CLEAR+ Enrollment: 4:00am - 11:00pm
- Terminal 2, Checkpoint D
- CLEAR+ Enrollment: 4:00am - 11:00pm
- Terminal 3, Checkpoint F
- CLEAR+ Enrollment: 4:00am - 12:00am
- TSA PreCheck® Enrollment: 6:00am - 8:00pm
- Located across from United Airlines Global check-in to the far right of the checkpoint
For more details about the CLEAR+program, including locations and available airports, check out the CLEAR+Airport Security Guide.
How to Check SFO Airport Security Wait Times
Follow these three simple steps to check security wait times on this page:
Step 1: Find the Checkpoint Times section. Scroll to the bottom of the page or click the “Check Wait Times” button in the SFO Average Checkpoint Times widget.
Step 2: Choose your arrival time. Use the dropdown menu to select when you plan to reach security.
Step 3: View estimated wait times. The site will display the average wait time for your selected period.
Tips for Using Wait Times
- Wait times are estimates: Actual conditions may vary due to crowd levels and security delays.
- Arrive early during peak hours: Security lines are often longer in the mornings and around holidays.
- Check the official airport site: Some airports provide real-time security wait times for each checkpoint. Visit SFO Airport’s official website and search for "security wait times" to see if this feature is available.
Lost Items at TSA Checkpoints
If you've lost an item at a TSA checkpoint or in checked baggage at San Francisco Airport (SFO), you should promptly contact the airport's Lost and Found. For detailed information and to report your lost item, you can reach the TSA Lost Items Contact at +1-800-764-8050. Be prepared to provide a comprehensive description of your item, including color and any unique features, to aid in its identification and recovery.
About SFO Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for San Francisco Airport are computed using a comprehensive examination of historical flight records and TSA staffing timetables. Utilizing sophisticated data evaluation techniques, various 3rd party services, and publicly available data sets to offer fairly precise estimates of wait times at SFO. However, these estimates may vary due to unforeseen incidents. The TSA advises passengers to get to the airport well before their planned flight departure time.
We strive to assist you in your travel preparations by delivering reliable estimates of security checkpoint wait times. We also recommend contacting your airline for information on ticket counter wait times and any potential changes to your flight schedule. These factors should be taken into account when deciding when to arrive at SFO. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Learn the best practices for flying with toddlers from our flying with toddlers guide.
About this Page: Please note that while we strive to keep the content on this page current and accurate, we cannot guarantee it due to the ever-changing nature of airports and airlines; for more details about our data and practices, refer to our Trust & Transparency statement. To report any data issues, use our feedback form.
TSA Pre Check at SFO
International Terminal
Boarding Area A Checkpoint
Boarding Area G Checkpoint
Terminal 1
Boarding Area B Checkpoint
Boarding Area C Checkpoint
Terminal 2
Boarding Area D Checkpoint
Terminal 3
Boarding Area F1 Checkpoint
Boarding Area F3 Checkpoint
Tips, Help & Resources
iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can assist you during your journey specific to SFO:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive San Francisco airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the SFO restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the SFO airport facility is to use an off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi.
- The next time you need to fly from the San Francisco area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with SFO airports' flight fares.
San Francisco Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport