SFO is gearing up for another busy summer travel season, which officially kicks off this Friday ahead of the long weekend.
State of play: Roughly 16.8 million passengers are expected to pass through SFO between Memorial Day and Labor Day — up about 3% from last summer.
Friday will be especially busy, with SFO expecting about 163,000 travelers to be passing through the airport on that day alone.
Here are some tips on planning ahead:
⏰ Arrive early. Get to the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures.
🅿️ Parking will be tight. Garages are expected to fill up fast, so make sure to book parking online as far in advance ahead of your trip. Consider skipping driving altogether — travelers are encouraged to use public transit or rideshares.
🧳 Skip hauling your bags. SFO has expanded remote baggage check-in from its long-term parking garage and rental car center for some domestic airlines, allowing travelers to check luggage before reaching the terminal.
👌 The bottom line: A little extra planning could go a long way in helping travelers avoid headaches during what's expected to be another busy season.