Flight deals from San Francisco, United States

Why flights from San Francisco make travel easy and exciting

San Francisco is one of the West Coast’s most connected gateways, with an airport built for smooth departures and a route map that spans the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. If you want options, frequency, and a relaxed pre flight vibe with quality food and art sprinkled through the concourses, flights from San Francisco deliver.

What makes SFO a smart jumping off point

You get a deep mix of short hops up and down the coast, cross country links, and long haul nonstops across the Pacific and to major European capitals, so you can plan quick weekend flights from San Francisco or an extended adventure with equal ease. Peak summer and holiday seasons bring more frequencies and buzz, while spring and fall shoulder periods often feel calmer and can be friendlier on the wallet. For flexible travelers, this breadth of choice makes it simpler to time a deal and build trips that fit your schedule, whether that is cheap one way flights from San Francisco or a bigger multi city journey.

Options for all travel styles

Whether aiming for a short family escape, a business run, or a major cross continental adventure, San Francisco opens up straightforward planning and easy connections for every kind of traveler.

Popular and trending destinations from San Francisco this year

From quick business shuttles to long haul escapes, these routes show why so many travelers start their trips here. Times shown are examples and subject to change.

Short haul hops and long haul favorites from SFO

Los Angeles clocks in at about 1 hour 15 minutes nonstop with many daily services, making it an easy out and back. New York City is a classic coast to coast link at around 5 hours 30 minutes nonstop, popular for both work and weekend breaks. London sits near 10 hours nonstop and is a traveler favorite for culture, theater, and onward trains across the United Kingdom, with daily service and strong year round demand. You can dive into Asia quickly too, with Tokyo around 10 hours nonstop and consistent demand for food, design, and tech access across Japan. For southern hemisphere sunshine, Sydney is roughly 14 hours nonstop and opens the door to road trips and reef time across Australia.

Airlines flying these routes from SFO include major US carriers such as United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, plus international names like Air Canada, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific. Schedules and operating carriers vary by season and day of week, and all examples are subject to change.

Finding deals off peak

Summer and the late November to December holidays are the busiest periods, which can mean more flights but also fuller cabins. Outside those peaks, shoulder months often bring more price flexibility, and last minute flights from San Francisco to London or other hubs sometimes appear when loads shift, though availability fluctuates day to day. Carriers have also been expanding transpacific connectivity from SFO with additional options and seasonal adds, which can create new one stop combinations across Southeast Asia and Oceania depending on the month.

If you are open on dates or destination, use Kiwi tools to uncover combinations beyond the usual suspects. Self transfer itineraries can pair separate airlines on the same ticket, opening more one stop choices than traditional airline sites, and can be especially handy for reaching secondary cities on a budget minded plan.

When to book flights from San Francisco for value

Booking smart matters more than ever. A little timing plus the right tools can make cheap flights from San Francisco easier to lock in.

Timing your booking and using Kiwi tools

For many domestic trips, a booking window around 4 to 6 weeks before departure often balances price and choice, while long haul journeys generally reward earlier planning, commonly 8 to 12 weeks out. Shoulder seasons in spring and fall can be friendlier on fares than peak summer and the December holidays, though trends vary by route and week.

Let prices come to you. Set a Set a Price Alert on routes you are watching and get notified when fares move, so you can book when you see a number you like. If you are stitching together three or more stops, the Nomad Search Tool can find a cheaper route order in seconds, saving the effort of comparing every possible sequence manually.

Strategies for flexible plans

If your plans are flexible, compare midweek departures, early morning or late evening flights, and fly outside big event weeks. Availability changes constantly, so treat any fare examples you see as snapshots that are subject to change.

Airports and airlines in San Francisco explained simply

San Francisco International Airport is the region’s main departure point, about 13 miles south of downtown. It is built for easy terminal transfers, a broad choice of lounges, and generally smooth security when you plan ahead.

Getting to know SFO and your carrier options

San Francisco International Airport SFO has four terminals, with Terminals 1, 2, and 3 handling domestic flights and the International Terminal serving most overseas departures. Terminal 1 completed a major modernization in 2023, and the overall layout makes connections straightforward. The free AirTrain links all terminals, the BART station, and the Rental Car Center. Bay Area Rapid Transit BART provides direct rail service between the airport and the city from the station in Parking Garage G at the International Terminal. SamTrans buses serve the arrivals level of the domestic terminals and courtyards A and G at the International Terminal. For check in, the local recommendation is to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, especially in summer and during holidays, as wait times can swell.

You will find a mix of full service carriers on long haul and transcontinental routes alongside cost conscious options on select domestic services. This variety is good news for price shoppers, because you can compare cabin types and fare families to match your budget and comfort needs.

Services for modern travelers

Kiwi can combine separate airlines and tickets into one self transfer itinerary, a core part of our Travel Hacks approach. This can reveal routes that airline sites do not show, for example pairing two different carriers through a convenient stop to reach a city without a through ticket. Because separate tickets can be affected if one carrier changes its schedule, you can add the Kiwi.com Guarantee for extra reassurance. The Guarantee includes automatic check in on all your flights, 24 hour instant chat support, and Disruption Protection, which helps if carrier changes stop your trip by offering instant compensation in Kiwi.com Credit for a replacement flight or assistance with airline refunds. While we cannot control delays or cancellations by carriers, the package is designed to keep your plans moving with less stress.

On the ground, families will appreciate play areas in each terminal, and frequent flyers can access a wide range of lounges. Dining spans local coffee and fast casual to full service restaurants, though prices inside airports tend to be higher than in the city.

Smart travel tips for departures from San Francisco

• Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, especially in summer or holiday peaks, to clear check in and security without rushing.
• Use AirTrain to move quickly between terminals and the BART station, then ride BART for a direct rail link to and from the city to skip highway traffic.
• Set a Set a Price Alert early if your dates are flexible, and compare midweek flights which often show better availability.
• If you book a self transfer itinerary, travel with carry on only when possible and leave sensible connection buffers; add the Kiwi.com Guarantee for Disruption Protection on carrier changes.
• Download the Kiwi.com App and add your passport details at least 24 hours before departure so automatic check in can place your boarding passes in the app.