Best Flights starting from $190
from$190economy
Detroit (DTW)
Sun, Apr 19
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Thu, Apr 23
from$280economy
Detroit (DTW)
Thu, Apr 16
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Mon, Apr 20
from$310economy
Detroit (DTW)
Fri, Apr 17
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Tue, Apr 21
from$341economy
Detroit (DTW)
Mon, Apr 13
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Fri, Apr 17
from$401economy
Detroit (DTW)
Tue, Apr 14
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Sat, Apr 18
from$429economy
Detroit (DTW)
Sat, Apr 18
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Wed, Apr 22
from$455economy
Detroit (DTW)
Wed, Apr 15
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Sun, Apr 19
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Other Options for This Route
Other Destinations
Detroit (DTW) to Atlanta (ATL) in April from $44
From $44
Detroit (DTW) to Orlando (MCO) in April from $49
From $49
Detroit (DTW) to Newark (EWR) in April from $74
From $74
Detroit (DTW) to Nashville (BNA) in April from $76
From $76
Detroit (DTW) to Boston (BOS) in April from $82
From $82
Detroit (DTW) to Dallas (DFW) in April from $82
From $82
Flights from Other Cities
Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $28
From $28
San Diego (Any) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $28
From $28
Phoenix (PHX) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $43
From $43
Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $56
From $56
Los Angeles (Any) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $56
From $56
Santa Ana (SNA) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $64
From $64
✈️ Flight Guide: Detroit (DTW) → San Francisco (SFO)
Complete travel information for your April journey
Departing from Detroit (DTW) FAQs
The quickest options are BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), ride-share services, airport shuttles, and taxis. BART provides a direct, cost-effective ride from downtown SF to SFO in about 30–40 minutes depending on origin; allow extra time for luggage. For early morning or late-night flights consider a pre-booked shuttle or ride-share to avoid limited public transit.
For domestic economy flights, arrive at least 90 minutes before departure; for international economy, 2.5–3 hours is recommended to clear check-in and customs. During peak travel months like December and July expect longer security lines and add 30–60 extra minutes. Always check your airline’s recommended arrival time.
SFO offers Hourly, Daily, Domestic Garage, and Long-Term Parking with shuttle service; prices vary by lot and proximity to terminals. The Domestic Garage is convenient for short trips while long-term lots provide lower daily rates but add shuttle time. Check the SFO parking map for real-time availability and consider off-site airport parking to save money during peak months.
Yes — SFO hosts many airline and independent lounges including contract lounges that allow day passes for economy travelers, and there are quiet areas and workspaces throughout terminals. Purchasing a lounge day pass or using credit card lounge benefits can improve comfort on long layovers. Check lounge access policies and book ahead for peak travel months.
TSA wait times at SFO typically increase during vacation peaks (December, July) and holiday weekends; early mornings and late evenings are usually shorter. Enroll in TSA PreCheck to speed security screening year-round and check real-time wait times on the SFO website or airport apps before heading out.
Yes — there are regional shuttles, private express buses, and public transit connections from San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento to SFO. Caltrain connects to BART and airport shuttles, and several private shuttle providers run scheduled services; these are economical alternatives to driving from nearby major cities.
Arriving at San Francisco (SFO) FAQs
Cheapest economy fares usually include a personal item and carry-on only, with checked baggage incurring additional fees; seat selection is often paid or assigned at check-in. Policies vary by airline, so confirm baggage allowances and optional add-ons when booking your low-cost economy ticket.
For December travel, book 2–4 months in advance to secure the best economy fares; for major holidays, aim for 3–6 months ahead. Use fare alerts and flexible-date searches to identify price drops and consider midweek departures to lower costs.
Some airlines allow paid upgrades or upgrades with miles depending on fare rules and availability, but the cheapest economy tickets often have restrictions and non-refundable conditions. Check your airline’s upgrade and refund policy at booking time and watch for upgrade offers in the days leading to departure.
Cheapest economy fares typically have limited or no ability to change or cancel without fees; many are non-refundable and carry change fees. Consider purchasing travel insurance or choosing a slightly higher fare class for more flexibility when traveling during unpredictable times.
Nearby major hubs often provide more competition among airlines, creating better opportunities for the cheapest economy fares and multiple daily schedules. If you have flexibility, compare flights to nearby airports such as Los Angeles International, McCarran (Las Vegas), or regional airports to find lower fares and alternative routes.
In August, travel demand remains high for late-summer trips; to find the cheapest economy flights, search midweek, consider red-eye departures, and monitor last-minute deals. Use fare calendars and book as soon as you spot a strong price—August prices can spike quickly for family travel periods.
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Events & Festivals — Impact on Cheapest Economy Fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Large events like San Francisco Pride (June), Outside Lands (August), Fleet Week (October), and major tech conferences often drive up demand and reduce availability of the cheapest economy fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). For event periods, book months in advance or travel on adjacent days for better pricing. CTA: Check event dates and secure the cheapest economy flights early.
Best Time to Fly — Maximize Savings on Economy Fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The best time to fly for cheapest economy fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) and during shoulder seasons (late January–March, September–early November). Book domestic economy 1–3 months in advance, and international economy 2–6 months ahead; for holiday travel such as December, secure tickets 3–6 months early. Use flexible-date search tools and set price alerts to capture the best deals. CTA: Use our flexible-date tool to find the cheapest economy flights from SFO.
Direct vs Connecting Flights — Choosing Cheap Economy Options from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Connecting flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) frequently offer cheaper economy fares because they increase competition and routing options; however, they add travel time and risk for missed connections. If price is paramount, choose reliable layover hubs with adequate minimum connection times (e.g., SFO→LAX→final). For short business trips, a nonstop may be worth the extra cost. CTA: Compare direct and connecting economy options to find the cheapest route from SFO.
Airline Comparison — Economy Fare Differences for Travelers From San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Major carriers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offer a range of economy fares from basic to flexible main-cabin options. Low-cost carriers and basic economy fares are cheapest but restrict baggage and seat selection; legacy carriers may include more perks at a higher fare. Compare final price including baggage and seat fees to determine true cost. CTA: Compare airline economy fares from SFO now to find the cheapest final price.
Seasonal Travel Tips — Save on Economy Fares From San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Winter: Travel after New Year’s for lower economy fares; pack layers and check weather delays. Spring: Look for shoulder-season deals and use flexible dates. Summer: Book early and choose nonstop only if convenience outweighs cost. Fall: September–October often offer the best economy fares with fewer crowds. Consider nearby airports (Oakland, San Jose) to expand cheap fare options. CTA: Use seasonal tips to book the cheapest economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Flight Time & Schedules — From San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Budget Destinations
Flight times from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) vary widely depending on destination — typical domestic hops (Los Angeles, Las Vegas) are 1–2.5 hours, transcontinental flights (New York) run 5–6 hours, and popular international economy routes (Mexico, Central America) are 3–6 hours or longer for transpacific flights. Cheapest economy fares often appear on flights at unpopular times (red-eyes, midweek) and on flights with one connection; use schedule filters to find lower-priced itineraries. CTA: Check flight times and compare schedules to discover the cheapest economy options from SFO.
Cheap Flights — Tips for Finding the Lowest Economy Fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
To find cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to the cheapest economy fares: use flexible date searches, compare adjacent airports (Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles), and set fare alerts for price drops. Book domestic economy tickets 1–3 months ahead and international economy 2–6 months in advance; for peak holidays, book earlier. Use incognito mode sparingly and favor midweek departures and red-eyes for lower prices. CTA: Start a fare alert now to capture the cheapest economy deals from SFO.