Flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Start planning your holiday by looking up the best place to catch your flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore the options for setting off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY), two of the city's main airports.
Around 1 hour 30 minutes is the typical travel time on a direct Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport flight.
San Francisco (where San Francisco International Airport is located) and Los Angeles share the UTC-7 timezone. Easily coordinate travel plans without worrying about time differences.
With 217 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route. Southwest Airlines operates the earliest flight at 5:20am. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last departure from LAX to SFO is with United Airlines at 11:05pm.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Los Angeles to SFO. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
With more people on the move during peak seasons, it's wise to be at your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will allow for additional wait times.
Airports in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Enjoy an uninterrupted journey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Direct flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be booked from here.
Direct flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport are operated by numerous airlines at LAX. Travel with one of these:
The preferred choice for passengers flying between LAX and SFO is United Airlines.
American Airlines is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Los Angeles International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Los Angeles International Airport has an excellent on-time record, making delays less likely. Departures from LAX arrive on schedule 81.05% of the time.
LAX's address is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
VNY is about 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. It'll take you 35 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Los Angeles to SFO flight? Kick back in a hotel near Van Nuys Airport before your holiday officially starts. These stays have a room with your name on it:
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider staying in a hotel near SFO if you have a late flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport. Choose one of these options and call it a night faster:
Travel at your own pace with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and chase adventure across San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
Central San Francisco is about 18 kilometres from San Francisco International Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions, so do some research before your trip.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, Rs8,435 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs15,205. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from Los Angeles to SFO, book in advance. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when tickets are first released.
Cheap Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport tickets are easier to find when your dates are flexible. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares throughout the month and then choose the cheapest day.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on flight tickets from Los Angeles to SFO.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the most popular month for flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Visit San Francisco in February for a more low-key escape.
Lock in a Los Angeles to SFO flight ticket departing in September if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Francisco to range from 12ºC to 22ºC.
January sees temperatures of between 6ºC and 16ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in San Francisco right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport:
There are loads of awesome things to do in San Francisco when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Kick off your itinerary at Golden Gate Bridge followed by Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
San Francisco has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be discovered. About 257 kilometres east of San Francisco, a trip to Fresno will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco, Sacramento is another essential stop in the United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.