Smoking at San Francisco International Airport – SFO – 2026

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the Bay Area’s busiest airport and a major hub for United Airlines, serving over 50 million passengers a year. If you smoke, there’s one thing you need to know upfront: SFO is completely smoke-free indoors. No lounges, no smoking rooms, no post-security options. Your only choices are the designated outdoor areas in front of each terminal, all located before the security checkpoint.

California law prohibits smoking inside all public buildings, and SFO enforces this strictly. Smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are banned everywhere inside the airport, including all terminals, gate areas, airline lounges, restrooms, restaurants, and the AirTrain stations. Outdoor smoking is permitted only in designated areas at least 25 feet from any terminal entrance, per California state regulations. These outdoor zones are available around the clock.

SFO has four terminals arranged in a half-loop around a central roadway. Starting from the south end: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal (also called the International Terminal Building, or ITB). The free AirTrain monorail connects all terminals, the parking garages, the BART station, and the rental car center. A full loop takes about 15 minutes. If you need to smoke at a specific terminal’s outdoor area and your gate is elsewhere, the AirTrain is the easiest way to get around, though keep in mind you would need to exit security first regardless.

Terminal 1 is home to Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and several other domestic carriers. It has Boarding Areas B and C with gates spread across two concourses.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at both Departures Level 2 (ticketing) and Arrivals Level 1 (baggage claim). Look for the posted signage and standing ashtrays at least 25 feet from the entrance doors. The Arrivals Level 1 area tends to be slightly less crowded since most foot traffic flows through the upper departures level.

After security: None. There are no smoking areas past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 1.

Terminal 2 handles United domestic flights and serves as the connector between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 on the airside. It was renovated and reopened in 2011 with a modern, open layout. Boarding Area D is the main gate area here.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at Departures Level 2, at both the north and south ends of the terminal. Both spots have ashtrays and signage. Terminal 2 can feel long, so pick whichever end is closer to where you were dropped off or parked.

After security: None. No smoking areas exist past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 2.

Terminal 3 is United Airlines’ primary hub terminal at SFO, with Boarding Areas E and F serving a mix of domestic and some international flights. It is one of the busiest terminals at the airport.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at Departures Level 2 and on the Arrivals Level 1 near baggage claim. There is also a well-known smoking spot outside near Door 7 on the arrival level, which has a small seating area and ashtrays. Door 7 is a good option if you have just landed and are waiting for a ride, as it sits slightly away from the main traffic flow.

After security: None. No smoking facilities exist past security in Terminal 3.

The International Terminal is the largest terminal at SFO and handles all international departures and arrivals, along with some Virgin America and domestic overflow flights. It has Boarding Areas A and G, connected by a long hallway on the airside. The terminal building itself has three levels: Arrivals (Level 1), a connector level, and Departures (Level 3).

Smoking areas: The International Terminal has the most outdoor smoking options at SFO:

After security: None. Once you clear security or passport control in the International Terminal, there is no way to smoke until you exit the building entirely.

This is the most important point for smokers at SFO: there are zero smoking areas past any TSA security checkpoint in any terminal. No exceptions. If you have already cleared security and need to smoke, you must exit the secure area completely, use one of the outdoor zones described above, and then go through TSA screening again. During peak hours, this round trip can easily take 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a tight connection, it is not worth the risk.

For passengers connecting between domestic and international flights, the airside connector between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal means you do not need to re-clear security for that specific connection. But there are no smoking areas anywhere on that airside path.

E-cigarettes, vape pens, and all electronic nicotine delivery devices are treated exactly the same as traditional cigarettes at SFO. They are banned inside all terminals, gate areas, restaurants, lounges, and on the AirTrain. You may only use them in the outdoor designated smoking areas. San Francisco’s strict local vaping ordinance reinforces this, and fines can apply.

Smoking Policy at SFO

California law prohibits smoking inside all public buildings, and SFO enforces this strictly. Smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are banned everywhere inside the airport, including all terminals, gate areas, airline lounges, restrooms, restaurants, and the AirTrain stations. Outdoor smoking is permitted only in designated areas at least 25 feet from any terminal entrance, per California state regulations. These outdoor zones are available around the clock.

How SFO Is Laid Out

SFO has four terminals arranged in a half-loop around a central roadway. Starting from the south end: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal (also called the International Terminal Building, or ITB). The free AirTrain monorail connects all terminals, the parking garages, the BART station, and the rental car center. A full loop takes about 15 minutes. If you need to smoke at a specific terminal’s outdoor area and your gate is elsewhere, the AirTrain is the easiest way to get around, though keep in mind you would need to exit security first regardless.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is home to Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and several other domestic carriers. It has Boarding Areas B and C with gates spread across two concourses.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at both Departures Level 2 (ticketing) and Arrivals Level 1 (baggage claim). Look for the posted signage and standing ashtrays at least 25 feet from the entrance doors. The Arrivals Level 1 area tends to be slightly less crowded since most foot traffic flows through the upper departures level.

After security: None. There are no smoking areas past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 1.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 handles United domestic flights and serves as the connector between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 on the airside. It was renovated and reopened in 2011 with a modern, open layout. Boarding Area D is the main gate area here.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at Departures Level 2, at both the north and south ends of the terminal. Both spots have ashtrays and signage. Terminal 2 can feel long, so pick whichever end is closer to where you were dropped off or parked.

After security: None. No smoking areas exist past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 2.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is United Airlines’ primary hub terminal at SFO, with Boarding Areas E and F serving a mix of domestic and some international flights. It is one of the busiest terminals at the airport.

Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are on the curbside at Departures Level 2 and on the Arrivals Level 1 near baggage claim. There is also a well-known smoking spot outside near Door 7 on the arrival level, which has a small seating area and ashtrays. Door 7 is a good option if you have just landed and are waiting for a ride, as it sits slightly away from the main traffic flow.

After security: None. No smoking facilities exist past security in Terminal 3.

International Terminal (ITB)

The International Terminal is the largest terminal at SFO and handles all international departures and arrivals, along with some Virgin America and domestic overflow flights. It has Boarding Areas A and G, connected by a long hallway on the airside. The terminal building itself has three levels: Arrivals (Level 1), a connector level, and Departures (Level 3).

Smoking areas: The International Terminal has the most outdoor smoking options at SFO:

• Departures Level 3 near Door 1 (south end) and Door 16 (north end). Both have standing ashtrays and are set back from the entrance.
• Arrivals Level 1 near Door 1 and Door 2. These work well right after clearing customs and collecting your bags.
• Door 5 area (international arrivals side) has a sitting area with a pole-mounted ashtray tray. This is one of the more comfortable spots, with a bench where you can sit and smoke before heading to ground transportation.
• Door 13 area (domestic side of the International Terminal) is a smaller sitting area with a pole-tray ashtray. It is less busy than the Door 5 side.

After security: None. Once you clear security or passport control in the International Terminal, there is no way to smoke until you exit the building entirely.

No Smoking After Security

This is the most important point for smokers at SFO: there are zero smoking areas past any TSA security checkpoint in any terminal. No exceptions. If you have already cleared security and need to smoke, you must exit the secure area completely, use one of the outdoor zones described above, and then go through TSA screening again. During peak hours, this round trip can easily take 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a tight connection, it is not worth the risk.

For passengers connecting between domestic and international flights, the airside connector between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal means you do not need to re-clear security for that specific connection. But there are no smoking areas anywhere on that airside path.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping

E-cigarettes, vape pens, and all electronic nicotine delivery devices are treated exactly the same as traditional cigarettes at SFO. They are banned inside all terminals, gate areas, restaurants, lounges, and on the AirTrain. You may only use them in the outdoor designated smoking areas. San Francisco’s strict local vaping ordinance reinforces this, and fines can apply.

Tips for Smokers at SFO

• Smoke before entering security. The re-screening process is not worth it unless you have a layover of three hours or more.
• If you are connecting between terminals, the AirTrain runs every few minutes and is free. But remember, you still need to exit security to reach any outdoor smoking area.
• The International Terminal Door 5 area is the most comfortable spot at SFO for a longer smoke break, with seating and a quieter atmosphere.
• TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can significantly cut your re-entry time if you do need to exit and return.
• Nicotine gum, patches, or pouches are a practical alternative for shorter layovers.
• All outdoor smoking areas are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• SFO connects to downtown San Francisco via BART, with the station accessible from the International Terminal via AirTrain.

Summary

Useful Links

• San Francisco International Airport Terminal Maps