San Francisco Airport

Excellent international terminal at this airport. Friendly staff clean. Gate concourses are well configured with decent food/beverage options. Clear signage. Security check areas are overcrowded. Luggage carts cost USD5 (free at most international airports worldwide).

The best international gateway to the US. International Terminal is world-class with fast customs/immigration and baggage claim good signage and maps excellent and easy connections/transfers and superb dining options. Other terminals are decent enough in their own regard with the updated Terminal 2 being downright fantastic. Transport between terminals and to the city is easy and staff is very friendly and helpful.

Arrival on a domestic flight was a big confusing especially finding how to get to the monorail to get to the consolidated rental car facility. From the baggage claim area you need to take an escalator or elevator up a couple of floors cross a walkway over the main airport road then find your way to the monorail (and decipher the confusing signs to know what direction you need to go). Don't try it with lots of bags unless you have a cart (and know in advance how to lock the wheels so it doesn't roll down the monorail car). No shuttle bus to the rental cars that I could see.

The monorail is convenient. Even though the international terminal is big the arrivals area is weird. The Arrivals area was empty then it was crowded then empty and then crowded again. When I flew out of SFO it was confusing because we didn't know where to board and there were no people telling where the gate is. We just got a gate assignment and we had to find it ourselves. I'd much rather fly out of San Jose.

Have been through SFO six times in the last four weeks on international and domestic flights. Compared to LAX the only other West Coast option for flights from Australia this airport is a dream. The BART service is a big plus except for the late (~8AM) start early Sunday mornings from Downtown and the complicated ticketing machines for first time users. I've checked into my downtown hotel within one (1) hour of touchdown - admittedly with carry-on only and a good BART connection. Agree with the comments about the very limited food options and the lack of clear signage but way better than LAX.

Arrived on BA at the international terminal. Luckily we arrived before the Virgin and UA flight from LHR as there would have been huge lines otherwise at immigration. I raced to immigration and was attended to immediately. The immigration officer was extremely rude and did not have a good knowledge of English. She asked also very detailed questions about what sights I will visit during my stay in SF and I had to talk about 5 minutes about attractions I want to visit. I found this a bit ridiculous but I guess that's normal nowadays if you enter the US. Luggage took quite a while as it was a full 747 but afterwards I got through customs within seconds where a very friendly customs officer took my form. From there the BART station was a short stroll away and it is very cheap and quick to get in to town (USD 8.10). Departed on Southwest at T1 and found the experience not bad. Took the BART to the airport and then the SkyTrain to Terminal 1. Check-in was very quick and security was also quite efficient and fast. Facilities are so-so with a few places to eat and one or two newspaper shops. Terminal was quite crowded as some planes where delayed due to the weather. However the Southwest staff was friendly and kept us informed. It is a mixed bag but overall SFO is ok.

The International Terminal is a beautiful structure that lets in plenty of natural light and a relaxing place to stay. Immigration and baggage claim take no longer than 45 minutes. Security checks are usually uncrowded and staff are friendly. On the domestic side the airport isn't that stunning - Terminal 1 is very outdated but it's better than Terminal 6 at LAX. Terminal 2 is undergoing renovation. Terminal 3 is United domestic terminal - pretty modern and has great places to eat even though they're overpriced. It's very friendly however I find queuing the longest in here. The terminal can get crowded at peak times.

SFO is by far the worst airport for domestic travel. The only thing positive is that BART runs there. The food choices are limited. No services for the stranded traveller. Dirty and dark. As the gateway for tourists and business travellers alike this is such a let down. Leaving TSA reps are the rudest in the county.

Arrived by BA from London at around 1630. No other international flights had arrived around that time and amazingly I was through Immigration and Customs in less than 20 minutes from leaving the plane. The arrival procedure was vastly superior to my experience at several other US international gateways. Check-in for an early morning AA departure was fast and smooth and it was easy to get to the Gate. I will try and use SFO as my gateway of preference in future.

Used the International Terminal for departure check-in hall was huge was airy modern and clean. Security was fast with friendly staff. Departures with lots of shops and food. Bathrooms were clean. Easy to get around with nice open windows. Best airport I've been in the US.