Flying from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-8, which is five hours behind Rio de Janeiro.
To ensure you catch your GIG to SFO flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time such as December? Public holidays and other high seasons can result in longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here's where you can stop between GIG and SFO:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Houston George Bush Intercntl. Airport
Miami International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
At the moment, R 6,699 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is R 12,415. Keep in mind that fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
It's usually smart to book in advance if you want to get cheap tickets from GIG to SFO. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to the date of departure.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across every month when searching for your flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Save time looking for cheap flights from GIG to SFO by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Discover the ideal flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Handy information about Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Of the flights that depart from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport, 79% arrive on time at their destination.
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport is about 19 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
The trip on public transport typically takes 1 hour.
Get your holiday off to a leisurely start by staying near GIG. Whether you're taking an early flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your ride from San Francisco International Airport around one week ahead boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to central San Francisco has a drive time of around 25 minutes. It's approximately 21 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport will take you roughly 35 minutes.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport. July is the most popular month to head to San Francisco. If you like a more laid-back vibe, go in March.
When booking your flight from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport to San Francisco International Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 5ºC (41ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Search for cheap tickets from GIG to SFO sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited San Francisco, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Travel around 64 kilometres south-east to San Jose to tick off its must-visit sights. From Winchester Mystery House to The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco, Fresno is another favourite stop in the United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
