Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW): what you need to know
The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is eight hours ahead of San Francisco.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for hassle-free flying. Get to the airport on time to board your SFO to LGW flight.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Check out these options between SFO and LGW:
Frankfurt am Main Airport
Dublin Airport
Vancouver International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Right now, R 4,729 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is R 10,458. Remember that fares could change due to availability when booking.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from SFO to LGW if you book in advance. Airlines often have some terrific early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport across each month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from SFO to LGW by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
78% of flights leaving from San Francisco International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
To reach San Francisco International Airport from central San Francisco, it takes around 25 minutes if you're travelling by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 21 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Taking public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel near SFO? If you've booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
If you're getting in on a late San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport flight, few things beat the convenience of being near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be tucked up in bed soon after at one of these accommodation options near LGW:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and experience the lesser-explored corners of London and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle from London Gatwick Airport around three weeks before your departure date.
Getting from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to central London
From London Gatwick Airport, London is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 45 minutes.
When to fly to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport. August is the busiest month to visit London. If you'd like a quieter vibe, go in March.
Lock in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Gatwick Airport for July if you want to explore London during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from SFO to LGW in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF) on average.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
Manchester is just one of the many cities in the United Kingdom waiting to be explored once you've seen London. Around 257 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry.
Around 161 kilometres north-west of London, Birmingham is another favourite stop in the United Kingdom. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Bournville Experience.