Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): what you need to know
Expect to be in the skies for 1 hour 31 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. Los Angeles and San Francisco have the same timezone (UTC-7).
There are 551 flights from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport each week to choose from.
Peak months like August or holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean longer lines at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of international flights is a wise move.
A variety of airlines offer direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, so jetting to Los Angeles (and then seeing more parts of United States!) is easy. Top carriers flying between SFO and LAX include:
If you prefer a stopover for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, just deselect 'Direct flights only' and check out your options. These are the most popular stopovers between SFO and LAX:
San Diego International Airport
Sacramento International Airport
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport)
Once you've found cheap ticket from SFO to LAX, get your travel documents ready. A passport or visa isn't required as you're travelling within United States. As long as you have another proof of identity, such as an ID card or driver's license, you're good to go.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport is R 527. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,022. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Book 8 months before you want to fly. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from SFO to LAX.
The cheapest month for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible schedule.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from SFO to LAX every day.
Play around with filters to find the right trip for you. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport is around 21 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 47 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel near SFO? If you're boarding an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Consider booking a hotel near LAX if you're catching a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
From Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles is approximately 32 kilometres away. It takes around 32 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 54 minutes.
When to fly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
July is the most popular month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport. To escape the crowds, travel to Los Angeles in May.
Lock in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport for August if you'd like to visit Los Angeles during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 16ºC and 32ºC.
February has average temperatures of between 6ºC and 26ºC. Search for cheap tickets from SFO to LAX around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip right by finding a wonderful place to stay. After booking your flight from SFO to LAX, have a look at our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are major attractions which should feature on every Los Angeles itinerary.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is another way to get to Los Angeles. This domestic airport could be a cheaper or more convenient choice depending on your plans, so browse its flight schedules and prices.
Complete your Los Angeles trip with hotels and a car rental
Comparing flights is not the only thing we're good at. Once you've booked your cheap ticket to Los Angeles International Airport, explore our great car rental deals that'll give you the freedom to see the sights at your own pace. Then, have a look at our exclusive rates for hotels to find your perfect Los Angeles stay.