Best Flights starting from $159
from$159economy
Los Angeles (Any)
Wed, Apr 8
Roundtrip
San Francisco (SFO)
Wed, Apr 15
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Destinations
Los Angeles (Any) to Chicago (Any) in April from $44
From $44
Los Angeles (Any) to Phoenix (Any) in April from $46
From $46
Los Angeles (Any) to Chicago (ORD) in April from $52
From $52
Los Angeles (Any) to Las Vegas (Any) in April from $56
From $56
Los Angeles (Any) to Houston (Any) in April from $66
From $66
Los Angeles (Any) to Orlando (Any) in April from $72
From $72
Flights from Other Cities
Los Angeles (LAX) 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
Newark (EWR) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $80
From $80
Boston (BOS) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $86
From $86
Ontario (ONT) to San Francisco (SFO) in April from $90
From $90
✈️ Flight Guide: Los Angeles (Any) → San Francisco (SFO)
Complete travel information for your April journey
Departing from Los Angeles (Any) FAQs
To find the cheapest economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), search flexible dates, use fare alerts, and compare major price engines (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo). Consider departing midweek or in shoulder seasons like late January and September for lower fares. Sign up for airline newsletters and set price trackers to capture flash sales.
Most carriers allow one carry-on and one personal item in economy, but checked baggage fees vary by airline and route; low-cost carriers often charge for the first checked bag. Plan to check in online 24 hours before departure and arrive at least 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Verify the airline’s baggage allowance to avoid unexpected fees at SFO.
Yes — December, particularly the week around Christmas and New Year’s, is one of the busiest and most expensive times to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Expect higher economy fares and limited seat sales; book 8–12 weeks in advance for the best chance of reasonable prices. Consider alternative dates in early December or mid-January to save substantially.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers BART direct service to Downtown San Francisco and connections to Oakland; Caltrain and shuttle services link to San Jose and the Peninsula. Rideshares, taxis, and rental cars are widely available at the designated pickup areas. For budget travelers, combining BART and regional transit is usually the cheapest option to reach nearby major cities.
Same-day deals from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are rare but possible, especially for last-minute standby or airline flash sales. Use fare-aggregator apps and airline last-minute sections, and be flexible with departure times. For guaranteed savings, booking several weeks in advance usually yields better economy fares.
Common budget-friendly routes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) include Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and Phoenix (PHX), along with discount international flights to Mexico City. These routes often feature frequent sales and multiple carriers competing on price. Monitor fares on these corridors to find competitive economy deals.
Arriving at San Francisco (SFO) FAQs
The 'Cheapest Economy Fare (ECONOMY)' usually includes a basic seat, one small personal item, and potentially no free checked baggage or seat selection. Additional fees for carry-on, checked bags, or seat assignments are common, so review the airline’s fare rules before booking. For arrivals, expect limited flexibility on changes and refunds.
To minimize fees, pack only a personal item that fits under the seat, pre-purchase baggage online (often cheaper than at the airport), and avoid seat assignment charges by accepting auto-assigned seats at check-in. Use airline loyalty or credit card benefits that waive baggage fees whenever possible to keep total arrival costs low.
Yes — cheapest economy fares often appear in shoulder months like January and September when demand drops. Airlines deploy promotional sales in these months, which increases availability of low-cost economy seats. Use flexible date searches to find the best arrival pricing for those months.
Commonly cheap arrival destinations in economy include Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Denver (DEN), and some Mexico City options. These airports benefit from high competition and frequent low-cost carrier routes, which helps keep economy fares low for arrivals.
When arriving internationally on a basic economy fare, the airport procedures are the same as other passengers; be prepared for standard immigration and customs processing and possible longer waits during peak hours. Since some cheap fares restrict carry-on size, verify baggage allowance to avoid delays at baggage claim and extra fees.
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Events & Festivals Affecting SFO Economy Fares — Monthly Overview
Major events such as the San Francisco Pride (June), Oracle/Google tech conferences (varies), Outside Lands (August), Bay to Breakers (May), and holiday events can push economy fares up at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Similarly, large events in arrival hubs like Las Vegas conventions or Los Angeles festivals will spike prices on common budget routes. To avoid high prices, travel before or after key event weekends or consider alternative nearby airports like Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC). CTA: Check event calendars before booking economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and adjust dates to capture lower fares.
Best Time to Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for Cheap Economy Fares
The best time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for the cheapest economy fares is during shoulder seasons — January through mid-March and September through early November. Midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) and early-morning flights often yield the lowest fares year-round. For holidays like Thanksgiving and December, book 8–12 weeks in advance; for summer travel, book 2–4 months ahead. CTA: Use fare alerts and flexible-date searches to find the best time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in economy class.
Direct vs. Connecting Flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — Economy Trade-offs
Nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are fastest and most convenient but often cost more in economy class. Connecting flights can be significantly cheaper, especially during off-peak months like September and January, but add travel time and risk of missed connections. For travel in winter months, choose longer layovers to buffer weather delays; during summer, assess if the time savings of a nonstop justify the price premium. CTA: Compare nonstop and connecting economy options departing San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to find the best balance of price and convenience.
Airline Comparison for Economy Fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Legacy carriers (e.g., United, American) often include limited benefits such as free carry-on and varying checked-bag rules for economy fares, while low-cost carriers (e.g., Spirit, Southwest, Frontier when applicable) may offer lower base fares but charge for extras like seat selection and checked luggage. Southwest is notable for two free checked bags on certain fares, which can make its economy price competitive despite higher base fares. Airlines frequently run sales in January and September; compare total trip cost (fare + fees) rather than base price alone. CTA: Compare airline economy fares from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) now, including baggage fees and seat policies to find the best value.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Economy Travelers Departing San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Spring: Take advantage of shoulder-season fares and pack a light jacket for Bay Area microclimates. Summer: Book early for peak routes; choose morning flights to avoid delays. Fall: September and October offer strong savings — fly midweek for lowest prices. Winter: Allow extra time for connections and consider travel insurance for snow-affected regions. Always check baggage rules for cheapest economy fares and prepay any checked bags to save. CTA: Apply these seasonal tips when searching economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to reduce costs and stress.
Flight Time & Schedules from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Economy Arrival Options (ECONOMY)
Typical flight times from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) vary by route: nearby West Coast cities like Los Angeles (LAX) and Las Vegas (LAS) are 1.5–2.5 hours, Pacific Northwest routes to Seattle (SEA) or Portland (PDX) are 2–2.5 hours, while cross-country flights to hubs like New York (JFK/EWR) run 5–6 hours. Low-cost economy itineraries often favor early-morning and late-evening departures to maximize aircraft utilization and lower fares. In winter months (December–January) airlines may adjust schedules due to weather, so check real-time schedules before booking. CTA: Check live schedules from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and compare economy flight durations to plan your itinerary.
How to Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Economy Class Options (ECONOMY)
To secure the cheapest economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), use flexible-date searches, monitor fare alerts, and compare multiple booking platforms. Shoulder months (January, September) often show the deepest discounts; midweek and red-eye departures typically cost less. For maximum savings, compare nearby airports (Oakland (OAK) and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)), bundle flights with budget carriers, and prepay baggage online. CTA: Search and compare cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Economy (ECONOMY) now and set price alerts to capture flash sales.