Travelling from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the departure points for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore the options for taking off from San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), two of the city's main airports.
1 hour 36 minutes is the time it takes on average for a direct flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city's timezone is UTC-7, which is the same as San Diego.
With 283 direct weekly flights between the two airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the busiest route. United operates the earliest flight at 06:15. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest departure from SAN to SFO is with Alaska Airlines at 22:17.
Your flight from San Diego to SFO won't wait if you're running late, so get to the airport with time to spare. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
If you're flying during a peak month like July, make your way to the airport even earlier. It's smart to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures. Expect lines to be longer during holiday periods like spring break and summer.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) take off from this terminal.
At SAN, there's a range of carriers that operate direct flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, including:
From central San Diego, SAN is around 5 kilometres away. Visit the official airport website or use navigation apps to work out the best way to arrive at the terminal.
Searching for a handy hotel close to San Diego International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near SFO:
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to the centre of San Francisco takes 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.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 47 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Book a one-way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport from R 472 or travel return from just R 922. The prices shown are based on availability and could change when you book.
You're more likely to score cheap tickets from San Diego to SFO when you book 7 months ahead. We crunched the flight price data and found that's the time fares on this route tend to be at their lowest.
You'll snag the biggest savings on your tickets from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport if you plan your break for April. Go one step further and use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a new deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you from searching for cheap tickets from San Diego to SFO every day.
Customise your journey with filters. Choose the total duration, number of stops, and departure and arrival times to find the right flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' options first.
The best time to fly from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport. August is the most popular month for a trip to San Francisco. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from San Diego to SFO, think about the type of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC to 22ºC.
Travel in January if you want to explore when it's cooler. Average temperatures range between 6ºC and 16ºC. However, this destination delivers on a good time whenever you book your cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport.
More about San Francisco
After locking in your flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Francisco:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street are attractions you won't want to skip in San Francisco.
Complete your San Francisco trip with a car rental
Shut down all those tabs and let us do the hard work for you. We've also got amazing deals on car rentals in San Francisco once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport. Instantly compare prices all in one place and drive away with the perfect rental for less.
