Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD): what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is 15 hours.
Sydney is 18 hours ahead of San Francisco and observes the UTC+11 timezone.
Each week, there are 17 San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flights. If you want to get going as early as possible, go for the 20:00 United Airlines flight. If you're eager to make the most of your day before you fly, the last departure is at 23:05 with United Airlines.
To ensure you get on your SFO to SYD flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during a high season in general.
Qantas is your gateway to discovering Sydney (and perhaps some other great corners of Australia!). Browse the direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport offered by this airline.
Qantas is the airline most travellers choose for this route.
With an impressive 92.31% of services arriving as planned, Qantas is the most punctual carrier for SFO to SYD flights.
If you'd like to add a stop to your trip, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between SFO and SYD:
Brisbane Airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
R 5,799 is currently the best price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight. Return flights start at R 12,186. These prices can change based on availability.
To score cheap tickets from SFO to SYD, book your trip three months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for February. That's the cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. If you're flexible with your dates, try out the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SFO to SYD by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Of all flights departing from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% arrive on time at their destination.
Central San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport is around 21 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
Expect a journey time of about 45 minutes when using public transport.
Need a handy hotel close to SFO? If you've booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Reserve a hotel close to SYD if you're taking a late San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight. Select one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Grab a Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport rental car and explore Sydney and beyond with your own wheels. Simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals and Yes Drive are popular outlets to choose from here.
Booking your vehicle from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport about two weeks in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
Getting from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to central Sydney
From Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Sydney is approximately 18 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre by car.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
When to fly to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. April is the busiest month to head to Sydney. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in April.
When reserving your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. January is the warmest month in Sydney, with the temperature ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to SYD in July. Temperatures average between 5ºC (41ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF) then.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many cities in Australia waiting to be explored after you've seen Sydney. Around 241 kilometres away to the south-west, top sights here include Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Around 121 kilometres north-east of Sydney, Newcastle is another favourite stop in Australia. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach.