International flights from San Francisco - Tips

     If you cannot get a friend to drop you at SFO and you live in an outlying area, taking BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) into SFO is great. BART goes directly into the International Terminal. You do have to change trains to do it, but it is simple. Parking at BART is expensive for a long period, so do get someone to drop you at a BART station. If parking near the airport, long term lots with a shuttle are the best bet.
     One of the good things about flying out of SFO to Europe is that non-stops usually are cheaper or the same as one or two stops,but they leave mid-afternoon. This allows you to sleep in and start your internal clock changing, get to the airport in good time and settle in for an over night. You will arrive in Europe around 10 or 11 a.m. plus one day.
     SFO has almost all the major carriers to Europe. I have suggested before that we like Virgin Atlantic and Air France the best (although we have heard good things about Swiss Air). Flying to Dublin, I would still fly British Airways or Virgin to London and take a short hop to Ireland over flying Aer Lingus. It would be hard to get me on an Alitalia flight ever again.
     There are plenty of charging stations and some okay places to eat at SFO in the International Terminal. So getting there early is not a bad experience.  SFO is as excellent as LAX is poor - and that is not just my Nor-cal pride showing.