Travelling from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Begin your trip planning by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore your options for leaving from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), two of the city's main airports.
6 hours 19 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is 3 hours behind New York. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route. There are 153 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, take the last flight with jetBlue at 22:10. Choose the first EWR to SFO departure with American Airlines at 05:59 if you want to get going earlier.
Leave enough time to make your flight from New York to SFO. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
With more people on the move during busy months like August, be at your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and as much as four for international journeys will help you deal with longer queues. Remember things also get busy during major holidays like Fourth of July.
Airports in New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Get there in one go from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Direct flights from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are available from here.
You'll find a direct flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport with United. This popular airline operates services from EWR.
The distance from central New York to EWR is roughly 24 kilometres. Use Google Maps for the quickest way to get there, whether you prefer to drive or use public transport.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to Newark Liberty International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Looking for other options for a direct flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? Check out the fares jetting out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
There are plenty of airlines that operate direct flights from New York to SFO. Compare your options below to find out which carrier works best with your schedule leaving from JFK:
Using public transport, you can travel from central New York to JFK in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 48 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near John F. Kennedy International Airport the day before your flight from New York to SFO:
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're coming in on a late flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near SFO:
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is approximately 21 kilometres from the centre of San Francisco. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 20 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 47 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Lock in a one-way ticket from New York to San Francisco International Airport from R 1,459 or travel return from just R 2,918. Fares listed are subject to change and may differ when you make your booking.
7 months is how far you'll want to book ahead to lock in cheap tickets from New York to SFO.
You'll score the biggest savings on your tickets from New York to San Francisco International Airport if you plan your holiday for April. Take it one step further and use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the cheapest day to fly out.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from New York to SFO is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price drops.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from New York to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from New York to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the busiest month for flights from New York to San Francisco International Airport. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip to San Francisco in February when it's quieter.
Think about the type of weather that'll suit your plans for San Francisco. September is known as the warmest month. Lock in your flights from New York to SFO during then and you can expect temperatures of between 12ºC and 22ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 6ºC and 16ºC. Look for cheap flights from New York to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
Start your San Francisco trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
One of the best ways to get a feel for San Francisco is to check out its most popular sights. Highlights include Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street.
Complete your San Francisco trip with a car rental
Once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from New York to San Francisco International Airport, the next task is choosing one of our car rentals in San Francisco. Browse the exclusive deals and instantly compare options on price, pick-up convenience, fuel policies, and more.
