Flying from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore the departure options from here when planning your flight from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is nine hours behind Johannesburg. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from Johannesburg to SFO. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow some extra breathing space. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Johannesburg to SFO departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find all potential stops. Top options include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
JNB is about 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these stays close to O.R. Tambo International Airport:
When it comes to O.R. Tambo International Airport's on-time performance, 77.1% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Depending on traffic, you can drive to HLA from central Johannesburg in around 50 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Johannesburg to SFO flight, stay in one of these hotels near Lanseria International Airport:
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Have a late flight from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport? Don't let it hijack your sleep schedule. Check in to one of these hotels near SFO and turn out the lights sooner:
Go where the road takes you with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and chase adventure across San Francisco and beyond.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride around one week ahead of your Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to the centre of San Francisco is around 18 kilometres. If you're taking a cab or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport is R 11,943. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 15,895. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Johannesburg to SFO. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you have some flexibility with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in every month when searching for your Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport ticket.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Johannesburg to SFO couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
February is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), while August is the most popular. Find the best time to go to San Francisco based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to SFO plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about San Francisco
Once you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to San Francisco International Airport, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Francisco:
There are so many things to explore in this city, it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are highlights which should feature on any good San Francisco itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen San Francisco, now it's time to discover other parts of the United States. Journey about 257 kilometres east to Fresno to check off its top sights. From Forestiere Underground Gardens to Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in the United States, head for Sacramento, roughly 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco. Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum are key reasons to visit.
