Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo: what you need to know
Approximately 9 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo.
The timezone in Tokyo is UTC+9. The city is 17 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located.
With 27 weekly flights between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) is the most popular route. United Airlines operates the earliest flight at 10:40. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from SFO to NRT is with ZIPAIR Tokyo at 17:20.
For a relaxed start to your SFO to Tokyo flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying during a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo ticket. Begin your trip at SFO and arrive at Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND).
Leading carriers that operate direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo include:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick off a new city. When browsing for plane tickets from SFO to Tokyo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Located around 18 kilometres from the centre of San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to SFO:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, data shows 78% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo
R 4,497 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo flight. A round-trip plane ticket right now is R 9,945. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Book four months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SFO to Tokyo.
September is the best month for picking up an awesome deal on San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo tickets. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from SFO to Tokyo is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when the price has dropped.
Save on your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Tokyo
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) is around 19 kilometres from central Tokyo. If you're grabbing a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 25 minutes.
Travelling on public transport takes around 30 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near HND:
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from Tokyo Haneda International Airport about three weeks in advance of your flight from SFO to Tokyo.
You'll find HND at 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)
Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Tokyo is roughly 56 kilometres from Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT).
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour.
Following your SFO to Tokyo flight, rest your head at a hotel close to NRT. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from NRT four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
The address for Tokyo Narita International Airport is 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
Best time to go to Tokyo
December is the quietest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo, while March is the busiest. Find the best time to go to Tokyo based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book a San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo plane ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from SFO to Tokyo in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 15ºC (59ºF) on average.
More about Tokyo
Start your Tokyo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Tokyo, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Sensho-ji, Tokyo Skytree and Ginza Central Street are top attractions which should be on every Tokyo itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
Osaka is just one of the many cities in Japan waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Tokyo. Around 402 kilometres away to the west, well-known attractions include Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.
If you're eager to discover another great destination in Japan, head for Nagoya, roughly 257 kilometres west of Tokyo. Nagoya Castle, Ninomaru Garden and Sky Promenade are key highlights.