Cheap flights from San Francisco International to New York

Flying out of San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the second-busiest airport in California, with over 53 million passengers served per year. The large, four-terminal airport is also one of the top ten busiest airports in the United States. Nonstop service to New York is available year-round via the following carriers:

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• Virgin America

The terminal you will be flying from depends on the carrier you choose, so be sure to check with your airline before your flight. No matter which terminal you're in, you'll be welcomed with fast food stands, full-service restaurants, and an assortment of shopping options. Certain terminals also have extras like children's playrooms, museum exhibits, spas, and yoga spaces. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the four terminals.

New York Airport Options

Though there are three major airport options in the New York area, there are currently no direct flight paths from San Francisco Airport to LaGuardia Airport (LGA). If you want to avoid a layover, LGA is probably not the best choice. For this route, passengers are most likely to fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) instead. JFK is one of the busiest airports in the world, with almost 60 million passengers served per year. The airport is located about 20 km from Midtown Manhattan, the neighbourhood which is home to iconic tourist attractions like Times Square and the Empire State Building.

JFK consists of six passenger terminals, each of which is connected by a people-mover called the AirTrain JFK. Not only does the AirTrain stop at each terminal, it also stops at all parking lots, car rental pickup lots, and at multiple rail and subway stations. The AirTrain runs 24/7. Due to the high levels of automobile and pedestrian traffic within New York, most tourists choose to take the AirTrain, then board either the New York City Subway or the Long Island Rail Road rather than renting a car. Taxis are also available outside of each terminal and charge a flat rate equal to about $67 CAD for a ride to Manhattan. The ride takes between 40 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Though technically located in New Jersey, many tourists choose to fly into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) when visiting New York. EWR is still a very busy airport but is far less intimidating than JFK. Generally, it will cost just about the same to take a taxi to Midtown Manhattan from Newark Airport as it will from JFK Airport.

What to Expect in New York

Though San Francisco and New York are located on opposite sides of the United States, the time difference between the two cities is not huge, with New York only three hours ahead. You will still likely feel some jet lag though, so be sure to stretch and stay hydrated during your flight.

While temperatures in San Francisco are relatively stable year-round, New York experiences a significant drop in temperature during the winter months. January is the coldest month of the year in New York. In terms of travel costs, both San Francisco and New York consistently top the list of America's most expensive cities. Generally, restaurants and tourist spots in New York are slightly more expensive than those in San Francisco. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun things to do for free in New York, such as touring Central Park.