Travelling from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
London has plenty of airports to leave from. Check out your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when organising your flight from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the other main bases in the city.
11 hours 7 minutes is the average journey time for a direct flight from London to San Francisco International Airport.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city operates in the UTC-7 timezone and is 7 hours behind London.
With 62 direct weekly flights between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route. United operates the earliest flight at 10:05. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the latest flight from LHR to SFO is with Virgin Atlantic at 17:20.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from London to SFO. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the mad dash to your gate.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You can jump on a direct flight from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) leaving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Top airlines that have direct flights from London to San Francisco International Airport leaving from LHR include:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flights from London to SFO leaving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
The distance from central London to LHR is roughly 31 kilometres. Use travel apps like Google Maps for the quickest way to get there, whether in your own car or with public transport.
After an easy start to your holiday? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from London to San Francisco International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Searching for more options for a direct flight from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? Browse the fares jetting out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
You can pick from a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from London to SFO departing from LGW. Take off with any of these carriers and skip the connections:
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from London to San Francisco International Airport. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you choose to do, here's where you can stop between London Gatwick Airport and SFO:
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
You can arrive at LGW from central London in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes to cover the 80 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not enjoy an additional night away? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your flight from London to SFO:
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're arriving on a late flight from London to San Francisco International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these options near SFO:
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to the centre of San Francisco is around 20 minutes in a car. It's approximately 21 kilometres away. Find out what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing.
It'll take around 47 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from London to San Francisco International Airport is Rs81,227. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs123,347. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To secure cheap tickets from London to SFO, book your trip 1 month before your departure.
The cheapest month for tickets from London to San Francisco International Airport is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the most affordable day to fly if you're flexible with your departure dates.
Create a Price Alert for flight tickets from London to SFO. You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped. We'll tell you when the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from London to San Francisco International Airport. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
The best time to fly from London to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the busiest month to board a flight from London to San Francisco International Airport while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to visit San Francisco, consider whether you like a lively atmosphere or a quieter vibe.
Before you book a flight from London to SFO, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 22ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from London to San Francisco International Airport in January when temperatures average between 6ºC and 16ºC.
More about San Francisco
Start your San Francisco trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from London to San Francisco International Airport, check out our range of hotels including:
One of the best ways to experience San Francisco is to check out its top attractions. Essential stops include Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street.
Complete your San Francisco trip with a car rental
Exit all those tabs and leave the hard work to us. We've also got amazing deals on car rentals in San Francisco once you've booked your cheap flight from London to San Francisco International Airport. Instantly compare prices all in one place and drive away with a bargain that fits your budget.