Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 11 hours 30 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt is nine hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Frankfurt runs on the UTC+1 timezone.
With 24 flights a week between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most popular route. United Airlines operates the earliest flight at 13:10. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from SFO to FRA is with United Airlines at 19:55.
For a relaxed start to your SFO to Frankfurt flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
Begin your trip at SFO and fly straight to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). That will be your arrival point when searching for San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt tickets.
Popular airlines that operate direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt include:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from SFO to Frankfurt. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Located around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to SFO:
78% of flights leaving from San Francisco International Airport reach their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Frankfurt
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt flight is Rs106,037. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs165,811. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book five months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SFO to Frankfurt.
The best month for landing cheap San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SFO to Frankfurt by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to central Frankfurt takes around 25 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It'll take around 20 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Think about booking a hotel close to FRA if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
For the lowest price, book your ride from Frankfurt Airport about three weeks in advance of your flight from SFO to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN)
Central Frankfurt is about 121 kilometres from Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN). After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 1 hour 25 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 2 hours 10 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near HHN. Unwind and get cosy after your SFO to Frankfurt flight at one of these well-located options:
Snap up the best price by booking your ride from HHN four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Frankfurt
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt. September is the busiest month to visit Frankfurt. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in January.
When booking your San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Frankfurt, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 29ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Frankfurt in January when temperatures average between -4ºC and 7ºC.
More about Frankfurt
Start your Frankfurt trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt, browse our selection of hotels including:
Bildungsstatte Anne Frank and Van Gogh Alive Frankfurt are just the start of the big attractions to add to your Frankfurt travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Main Tower.
Explore more of Germany
Berlin is just one of the many cities in Germany waiting to be discovered after you've seen Frankfurt. Around 418 kilometres away to the northeast, its top attractions include Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall and Parliament Building.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Germany, consider Hamburg, about 386 kilometres north of Frankfurt. Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg are the start of reasons to visit.