SFO · San Francisco International Airport

SFO TSA Wait Times

Live security checkpoint wait times at San Francisco International Airport. All four terminals connected airside since June 2024.

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Current Wait Times

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Checkpoint Information

✅ Checkpoint A

International Terminal · Boarding Area A · Gates A1–A15
4:15am–2:00am
Standard & CLEAR

✅ Checkpoint B

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 · Boarding Area B · Gates B2–B27
3:15am–12:30am
Standard & CLEAR

✅ Checkpoint B — Mezzanine

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 · Upper Level · Same B gates
4:00am–11:00pm
TSA PreCheck & Priority & CLEAR only

✅ Checkpoint D

Terminal 2 · Boarding Areas C & D · Gates C1–C11 & D1–D16
3:15am–12:30am
Standard & CLEAR

✅ Checkpoint F1

Terminal 3 · Boarding Area F · Gates F5–F22
3:15am–12:30am
Standard & CLEAR

✅ Checkpoint G

International Terminal · Boarding Area G · Gates G1–G14
4:30am–2:00am
Standard & CLEAR

Travel Tips

⏰ How early to arrive

  • Domestic flights: 2 hours before departure
  • International flights: 3 hours before departure
  • No shoes removal required at SFO as of July 2025
  • BART runs directly to the airport — skip the traffic

⚡ Speed through security

  • All 6 checkpoints have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
  • Checkpoint B — Mezzanine is PreCheck/Priority/CLEAR only — fastest option
  • CT scanners deployed at most checkpoints — laptop stays in bag
  • CLEAR eGates at Terminal 1 are fully automated biometric since Nov 2025

🗺️ Terminal connections

  • All terminals connected airside since June 2024 — no re-screening needed
  • International Terminal has Boarding Areas A (south) and G (north)
  • Harvey Milk Terminal 1 has Boarding Areas B and C
  • Terminal 3 has Boarding Areas E and F (both served by United Airlines)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the TSA checkpoint hours at SFO?

Checkpoint B opens earliest at 3:15am and closes at 12:30am. Checkpoint A is open 4:15am–2:00am. Checkpoint G is open 4:30am–2:00am. Checkpoint D and Checkpoint F1 are open 3:15am–12:30am. Checkpoint B — Mezzanine (PreCheck/Priority/CLEAR only) is open 4:00am–11:00pm.

Does SFO have TSA PreCheck?

Yes — TSA PreCheck is available at all 6 security checkpoints at SFO. The Checkpoint B — Mezzanine level at Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is exclusively for TSA PreCheck, Priority, and CLEAR members and is typically the fastest option.

Are SFO terminals connected after security?

Yes — since June 17, 2024, all SFO terminals are connected post-security via airside connectors. You can walk from the International Terminal to Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 without re-clearing security.

How long are SFO security lines?

SFO security wait times typically range from 5–25 minutes. Peak periods are late afternoon and evening (3pm–6pm). All checkpoints offer TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, which significantly reduce wait times to under 10 minutes.

Which SFO checkpoint should I use for my airline?

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (Checkpoint B): Southwest, JetBlue, American, Alaska, Delta. Terminal 2 (Checkpoint D): United domestic, Air Canada, Breeze. Terminal 3 (Checkpoint F1): United Airlines. International Terminal (Checkpoint A or G): International carriers.

Is CLEAR available at SFO?

Yes — CLEAR is available at all SFO security checkpoints. CLEAR eGates at Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (launched November 2025) offer fully automated biometric verification without staff interaction. CLEAR+ hours vary by checkpoint, generally 4:00am–11:00pm.

How early should I arrive at SFO?

Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international departures. BART connects downtown San Francisco to SFO in approximately 30 minutes — a reliable alternative to driving given Bay Area traffic.

What terminal is United Airlines at SFO?

United Airlines uses both Terminal 2 (domestic flights, Boarding Area D) and Terminal 3 (main hub, Boarding Areas E and F, Gates F5–F22). United international flights depart from the International Terminal (Boarding Area G).