How do I get from terminal 1 to terminal 3 in San Francisco airport?

SFO Terminal Transfer: Walking Path and Security

Navigating the secure transfer route for how to get from terminal 1 to terminal 3 in San Francisco airport ensures a seamless connection between your flights. Understanding the internal walkway path helps passengers avoid exiting the secure area unnecessarily. Follow the designated signage to complete your terminal transition efficiently.

Getting Between Terminals at SFO: Quick Overview

Navigating between terminals at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) depends largely on whether you have already passed through security. Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 can be simple if you know which path to take.

Walking Through Connecting Corridors

For travelers who are already post-security, walking between SFO terminals is often the most efficient option. You can move between these terminals without leaving the secure area.

Simply follow the signage inside the airport. The path takes you past Terminal 2 on Level 2, eventually leading you to Terminal 3. This walk typically takes about 6 minutes^[1] of steady pace, though it can vary based on your gate location. It is a straightforward route, but it requires staying within the secure boundary the entire time.

Using the AirTrain for Pre-Security Transfers

If you are pre-security or need to switch terminals while outside the secure zone, the SFO AirTrain terminal 1 to terminal 3 connection is the primary solution. This free, automated service runs 24/7 and connects all terminals, parking garages, and the BART station.

To access it from Terminal 1, head to Mezzanine Level 3 and follow signs for the passenger skybridge. Once you reach the station, take the Blue Line toward the Terminals 2 and 3 station. The train ride itself lasts roughly 3 minutes, making it a reliable way to cross the airport grounds without needing to navigate walking between SFO terminals.

Comparison: Walking vs. AirTrain

Choosing Your Transfer Method

Walking (Post-Security)

- Connecting flights with short layovers.

- Must be inside the secure area.

- Approximately 6 minutes.

AirTrain (Pre-Security)

- Initial arrivals or those needing to re-check bags.

- Available outside the secure area.

- About 3 minutes on the train, plus walking to the station.

Minh's Experience with an SFO Layover

Minh, a software engineer traveling from TP.HCM to Seattle, had a layover at SFO with only 90 minutes between flights. He landed in Terminal 1 and realized his next flight departed from Terminal 3.

He initially panicked, thinking he had to exit the airport and take the train, which he worried would force him to re-clear TSA security during a busy afternoon.

He checked the airport signage and realized he could stay post-security. He walked through the connecting corridor past Terminal 2, which saved him the 20 minutes he would have spent at the security checkpoint.

Minh arrived at his gate with plenty of time to grab a coffee, proving that knowing the post-security walking path is essential for tight connections.