Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Osaka: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 10 hours 8 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Based in the UTC+9 timezone, Osaka is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco.
With 10 weekly flights between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the most popular route. United operates the earliest flight at 10:50. If you're eager to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest flight from SFO to KIX is with United at 12:05.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from SFO to Osaka.
Popular months like August or vacation times such as Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean longer waits at check-in and security. Travelling then? Play it safe and get to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of international flights is a smart idea.
You can book a nonstop flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka. Start your trip at SFO and touch down at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Be on the lookout for deals with United. This airline has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka.
We make it easy to find a flight from SFO to Osaka with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
You don't need a visa for Japan if you hold a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to changes. So before booking your flight tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Travelling from central San Francisco to SFO takes around 47 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near SFO:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Osaka
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka is C$464. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$815. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap tickets from SFO to Osaka, book your trip 2 months ahead of your departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka is October. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap ticket from SFO to Osaka is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka. Simply enter your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Airports in Osaka
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Kansai International Airport (KIX) to the centre of Osaka takes about 44 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near KIX:
Itami Airport (ITM)
Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 18 minutes by car. Central Osaka is approximately 16 kilometres from Itami Airport (ITM).
There are some great places to rest your head close to ITM. Settle in and get cozy after your flight from SFO to Osaka at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Osaka
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka. June is the most popular month to travel to Osaka. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Osaka is August, with the temperature ranging between 21ºC and 34ºC. Lock in your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from SFO to Osaka in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Osaka
Start your Osaka trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka, browse our selection of hotels including:
Every great vacation has to include a little sightseeing. Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan are attractions you won't want to skip in Osaka.
Complete your Osaka trip with a car rental
Pick one of our car rentals in Osaka and explore the city in your own time. Easily compare rates in one go to find the ideal ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport to Osaka.