Flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
A direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport takes 1 hour 25 minutes, on average. San Francisco's timezone is UTC-7 — the same as Los Angeles.
Every week, there are 287 flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
If you're getting away during a peak month like July, arrive at the terminal even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Expect lines to be longer during peak periods like spring break and summer.
You'll find a variety of airlines providing direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. When you're ready to kick off your San Francisco vacation and experience this part of United States, these leading carriers service the LAX to SFO route:
If you want to break up your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, consider adding a stopover. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to find a city that interests you. The top stopovers on the LAX - SFO route include:
Reno/Tahoe International Airport
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport)
San Diego International Airport
After booking your cheap ticket from LAX to SFO, get your travel documents in order. A passport or visa isn't required since you're traveling within United States. As long as you have some other identity document, like a driver's license or an ID card, you're all set.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is C$39. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$77. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Book 9 months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap flight tickets from LAX to SFO.
May is the cheapest month for flight tickets from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest airfares for every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from LAX to SFO. There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have fallen. We'll update you when there's a change in price.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Located around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport can be reached in about 32 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 54 minutes.
Want an easy way to start to your travels? Stay near LAX. Whether you're on an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are just the thing:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to central San Francisco is around 20 minutes in a car. It's approximately 21 kilometres away. Discover what options are available, such as cabs, car rentals or ride-sharing services.
It takes roughly 47 minutes when traveling by public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. August is the busiest month to visit San Francisco. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 22ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from LAX to SFO in January. Temperatures average between 6ºC and 16ºC then.
More about San Francisco
If you're looking for somewhere to rest your head, you can find the most popular stays in San Francisco right here. Browse these options after locking in your flight from LAX to SFO:
All great vacations should include some sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street are must-do's during your San Francisco adventure.
Complete your San Francisco trip with hotels and a car rental
Once you've secured your cheap ticket to San Francisco International Airport, check out our low prices and exclusive rates for hotels. You can also compare a range of car rental companies in one go to find the best car rental price for your San Francisco getaway.