Header background image

TSA Security Wait Times

San Francisco Airport SFO

Explore Today's Deals

iFly.com
Logo invertedSFOSan Francisco Airport

San Francisco Airport Security Wait Times Guide

Are you gearing up for a journey via SFO Airport? Our detailed guide is designed to help you seamlessly navigate through the airport's security checkpoints, providing exact locations and operating hours for each. We also furnish information about expedited screening programs such as TSA Pre and CLEAR Plus. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your maiden flight, our guide is aimed at simplifying your transit through San Francisco Airport, assuring a quick and stress-free experience.

Experience the Ease of Travel with CLEAR Plus at SFO - 2 Months Free!

Want to cut down your wait times at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? Experience the convenience of CLEAR Plus! This expedited security screening service is available in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. With CLEAR Plus, you can breeze through security and get to your gate faster. And the best part? You can try it out for free! In partnership with iFly, CLEAR Plus is offering a 2 Months Free promotion. Don't miss this opportunity to make your travel experience at SFO smoother and more enjoyable.

Maps, Airlines & Amenities

View maps, find airlines, discover food & shops
SFO Overview Map
Map & Info
SFO Overview Map

San Francisco Airport (SFO) Terminals

Airline Information
SFO - San Francisco, CA - San Francisco Airport
Or...
Enter Airline Name or Code
Airport Restaurants, Stores & Amenities

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

SFO TSA Checkpoint A (International Terminal)

  • Location: International Terminal
  • Gates: A1-A12
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 2:00 AM
  • CLEAR Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

SFO TSA Checkpoint B (Terminal 1)

  • Location: Terminal 1
  • Gates: B6-B18
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 12:30 AM
  • CLEAR Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

SFO TSA Checkpoint C (Terminal 1)

  • Location: Terminal 1
  • Gates: 40-48 and 50-59
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • CLEAR: Closed due to construction - use Terminal 2

SFO TSA Checkpoint D (Terminal 2)

  • Location: Terminal 2
  • Gates: 50-59 and 40-48
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 3:45 AM to 12:30 AM
  • CLEAR Hours for Checkpoint D, D1-D18: Daily, 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

SFO TSA Checkpoint F1 (Terminal 3)

  • Location: Terminal 3
  • Gates: 60-69 and G91-G102
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 3:30 AM to 12:00 AM
  • CLEAR Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 12:00 AM

SFO TSA Checkpoint F3 (Terminal 3)

  • Location: Terminal 3
  • Gates: 72-75
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • CLEAR Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM

SFO TSA Checkpoint G (International Terminal)

  • Location: International Terminal
  • Gates: G91-G102, and 60-90
  • Type: All passengers and TSA PreCheck
  • Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM
  • CLEAR Hours: Daily, 6
:00 AM to 11:00 PM

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:

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

CLEAR Plus

CLEAR Plus is a premier service that offers expedited security screening at the airport. This service is available in Terminal 1 at Checkpoint B, B6-B18, Terminal 2 at Checkpoint D, D1-D18, Terminal 3 at Checkpoint F, Gates F1-F22, E1-E13, and Checkpoint F3, and in the International Terminal at A1-A15 and G1-G14. Please note that Checkpoint C in Terminal 1 is currently closed due to construction.

For more information about CLEAR Plus, including how to enroll and further details about the service, please visit iFly's CLEAR Plus page.

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 at San Francisco Airport are calculated using a combination of historical flight traffic data and TSA staffing schedules. We use advanced data analysis methods to offer a reasonably accurate estimate of wait times at SFO. However, these estimates can fluctuate due to unexpected factors. The TSA advises passengers to reach the airport well in advance of their scheduled flight departure time.

Our goal is to provide accurate security checkpoint wait times to assist in your travel planning, but it's also crucial to check with your airline about wait times at the ticket counter and any potential changes to your flight schedules. These factors should be taken into account when deciding when to arrive at SFO. Please note that each airline has its own recommended and mandatory arrival times.

Updated on: November 16, 2023

TSA Pre Check at SFO

AVAILABLE

International Terminal

Boarding Area A Checkpoint
CLOSED
Boarding Area G Checkpoint
CLOSED

Terminal 1

Boarding Area B Checkpoint
CLOSED
Boarding Area C Checkpoint
CLOSED

Terminal 2

Boarding Area D Checkpoint
CLOSED

Terminal 3

Boarding Area F1 Checkpoint
CLOSED
Boarding Area F3 Checkpoint
CLOSED

San Francisco Airport wait times Q&A

Yes, SFO Airport offers CLEAR Plus services in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. However, please note that Checkpoint C in Terminal 1 is currently closed due to construction.
Yes, TSA PreCheck is available at all SFO TSA Checkpoints: A, B, C, D, F1, F3, and G. This service is designed for frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
The operating hours of the security checkpoints at SFO vary by location. For example, SFO TSA Checkpoint A operates from 4:30 AM to 2:00 AM daily, while SFO TSA Checkpoint B operates from 4:00 AM to 12:30 AM daily. Please refer to the detailed guide for the exact operating hours of each checkpoint.
The security wait times at San Francisco Airport are calculated using a combination of historical flight traffic data and TSA staffing schedules. Advanced data analysis methods are used to offer a reasonably accurate estimate of wait times. However, these estimates can fluctuate due to unexpected factors.
If you've lost an item at a TSA checkpoint or in checked baggage at SFO, you should promptly contact the airport's Lost and Found. 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.
CLEAR Plus is a premier service that offers expedited security screening at the airport. This service is available in various terminals at the airport, allowing you to breeze through security and get to your gate faster. In partnership with iFly, CLEAR Plus is currently offering a 2 Months Free promotion.
Before you head to SFO, it's advisable to check if there are any departure delays. You can use the convenient flight tracker on the iFly website to keep an eye on the status of a particular flight.
TSA PreCheck is available for frequent flyers of participating airlines at SFO. Some of the participating airlines include AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and United Airlines among others.
Both CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck offer expedited security screening at SFO. However, while TSA PreCheck allows travelers to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks, CLEAR Plus uses biometric technology to speed up the document check portion of the security process.
While our guide provides estimated security wait times, these can fluctuate due to unexpected factors. Therefore, it's also crucial to check with your airline about wait times at the ticket counter and any potential changes to your flight schedules. Each airline has its own recommended and mandatory arrival times. The TSA advises passengers to reach the airport well in advance of their scheduled flight departure time.