SFO TSA Wait Times
San Francisco International · San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Bay Area's primary airport
Estimated Security Wait
EST.Source: Historical average · Updated typical for this time
About security at SFO
San Francisco International uses private contractors (Covenant Aviation Security) under TSA's Screening Partnership Program — meaning staffing is NOT affected by federal shutdowns. SFO has checkpoints A, B, B-Mezzanine, D, F1, and G across 4 terminals.
SFO's use of private screeners means wait times here remain stable even during federal government shutdowns.
Best time to arrive at SFO
Typical wait times at SFO
Historical averages based on long-term data. Actual waits vary with season, day of week, and flight schedules.
When should I leave home?
Calculate your departure time to SFO — includes current TSA wait, live traffic, and optional bag drop time.
Use the Departure Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current TSA wait time at SFO?
Current standard lane wait is approximately 20 minutes, and PreCheck is approximately 7 minutes. Source: Historical average.
When is the best time to arrive at SFO?
Checkpoint B (Terminal 2) is usually fastest for domestic. Checkpoint G (International Terminal) handles all international and is busiest 4–8 PM.
When are peak hours at SFO?
5–8 AM tech business rush, 2–5 PM and 6–9 PM international departures.
Is TSA PreCheck available at SFO?
All checkpoints have PreCheck lanes. Checkpoint B-Mezzanine is often overlooked and has the shortest PreCheck waits.