San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Security Wait Times and TSA Details
The San Francisco International Airport has 6 major security and TSA checkpoints. The SFO security times average between 10 and 30 minutes and 40-50 minutes during peak hours. Facilities for CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry programs are offered to help expedite through the security and customs queues.
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Average Wait Times at SFO Security and Checkpoints
The current SFO Airport security wait times range between 10 and 30 minutes. At peak hours, the security queues may be longer and extend the wait to 40-50 minutes.
| Checkpoint | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| Security Checkpoint A | 4:15 am to 2:00 am |
| Security Checkpoint B | 3:15 am to 12:30 am |
| Security Checkpoint B- Mezzanine Level | 4:00 am to 11:00 pm |
| Security Checkpoint D | 3:15 am to 12:30 am |
| Security Checkpoint F1 | 3:15 am to 12:30 am |
| Security Checkpoint G | 4:30 am to 2:00 am |
Overview of SFO Security Wait Times
The SFO security wait times are variable and depend on factors like peak hours, holiday season, and availability of staff. Security lines are usually the shortest from 4 am to 7 am and longest during late afternoon and evenings (3 pm to 6 pm).
| 4 am to 5 am | 0 min |
| 5 am to 6 am | 19 min |
| 6 am to 7 am | 15 min |
| 7 am to 8 am | 19 min |
| 8 am to 9 am | 18 min |
| 9 am to 10 am | 16 min |
| 10 am to 11 am | 18 min |
| 11 am to 12 pm | 28 min |
| 12 pm to 1 pm | 13 min |
| 1 pm to 2 pm | 12 min |
| 2 pm to 3 pm | 28 min |
| 3 pm to 4 pm | 18 min |
| 4 pm to 5 pm | 9 min |
| 5 pm to 6 pm | 32 min |
| 6 pm to 7 pm | 6 min |
| 7 pm to 8 pm | 5 min |
| 8 pm to 9 pm | 11 min |
| 9 pm to 10 pm | 15 min |
| 10 pm to 11 pm | 32 min |
| 11 pm to 12 am | 3 min |
Note: These are estimates and are subject to change at any time.
San Francisco Airport TSA Wait Times
TSA screening at San Francisco Airport can take around 15-20 minutes. The SFO TSA Wait Times can be exceedingly long at times due to passenger volume, number of staff, and peak or off-peak hours.
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SFO Security Expediting Programs
Expediting programs like CLEAR and TSA PreCheck are offered at the San Francisco International Airport to reduce the security wait times.
- CLEAR: Enrolling in CLEAR membership allows members to skip the queues and use their biometrics for verification. CLEAR Lanes are available at all security checkpoints.
| Terminal | CLEAR Location | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
| International Terminal, Checkpoint A | Near Gates A1-A15 | 7:00 am to 9:30 pm |
| International Terminal, Checkpoint G | Near Gates G1-G14 | 6:00 am to 9:00 pm |
| Terminal 1, Checkpoint B | Near Gates B6-B18 | 4:00 am to 11:00 pm |
| Terminal 2 | Checkpoint D | 4:30 am to 10:00 pm |
Note: The lane at Terminal 3, Checkpoint F, is currently closed due to ongoing construction.
- TSA PreCheck: The TSA PreCheck program allows members to use dedicated lanes and expedite through the SFO security wait times. PreCheck enrollment centres are located within the airport and can be bundled with a CLEAR membership.
| TSA Precheck Enrollment Centre | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| International Terminal, Checkpoint A | 7:00 am to 8:00 pm |
| Terminal 2, Checkpoint D | 6:00 am to 8:00 pm |
| Terminal 3, Checkpoint F | 6:00 am to 8:00 pm |
Customs Wait Time at San Francisco Airport
Customs are only available at the International Terminal of SFO, and have an average wait time ranging from 10 to 25 minutes. The customs wait times at SFO security can exceed 30-40 minutes during peak hours and when several flights arrive simultaneously. Global Entry and the Mobile Passport App assist in skipping the security queues.
- Global Entry– A CBP program, Global Entry allows pre-approved and low-risk travelers to expedite through the customs procedure.
| Global Entry Enrollment Location | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| International Terminal, Pre-security Arrivals Level | 7:00 am to 10:15 pm |
- Mobile Passport App– Use the Mobile Passport app to submit passport and customs declaration information via the device, and skip the lines by going through the dedicated MPC lane.
The SFO Airport security wait times are variable and can be reduced with various expediting programs offered at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SFO Airport has a security wait of 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the peak hours and passenger volume.
It is recommended to arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours before an international flight, to leave adequate time for procedures.
Yes, the TSA PreCheck facility is available at SFO along with three enrollment centres.
Programs like CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Mobile Passport App can be used at SFO to expedite through security.