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October is a great month to depart from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for Los Angeles due to mild weather and lower summer traveler volume. Expect robust nonstop service—frequent flights on major carriers plus competitive fares if you book 2–6 weeks ahead. Nearby destinations commonly accessed from SFO include downtown San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Mountain View). For the best fares, search flexible weekday departures, enable fare alerts, and consider early-morning flights to avoid security queues.
October arrivals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are generally straightforward with pleasant fall weather and fewer families than summer. Popular onward destinations include Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Anaheim (Disneyland), Long Beach and Malibu. Rely on FlyAway buses for affordable transfers to Downtown LA, or rideshare services for door-to-door convenience. For cheaper car rentals and hotel rates, consider midweek stays and book in advance around October festivals and conventions.
October brings several events that can influence travel on the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) corridor. In San Francisco, tech meetups, fall conferences and cultural events can boost outbound demand; in Los Angeles, film festivals, Comic-Con offshoots, and sports fixtures can raise inbound demand. Check event calendars for both cities and book early if your travel coincides with major conventions or weekend festivals.
The best time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October is midweek during late-morning or early-afternoon flights. Early-morning departures often have the highest on-time rates and fewer delays, while midweek can offer cheaper fares compared to Fridays and Sundays. For business travelers, consider flights between 9–11am and avoid peak commute windows to Los Angeles.
Nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) save time—typically 1h15m in-air—but can be slightly pricier during peak days. Connecting flights via Oakland or San Jose add travel time and potential delay risk but may be cheaper on some dates in October. For short hops like SFO→LAX, nonstop is usually best for convenience; only choose connecting if savings or a required schedule forces the choice.
Major carriers operating San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Legacy carriers often include loyalty benefits and more flexible change policies, while low-cost carriers may offer lower base fares but charge for checked bags and seat assignments. For October travel, compare total landed cost (fare plus baggage fees) and loyalty status benefits before booking.
October travel between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) benefits from cooler mornings in the Bay Area and warm afternoons in Southern California. Pack a lightweight jacket for foggy SFO mornings and a layers-friendly outfit for LAX. Arrive 60–90 minutes before domestic departures if you have TSA PreCheck; if traveling with checked baggage, allow extra time during convention-heavy weekends.
Nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) typically take 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes of airborne time; gate-to-gate schedules vary 2–3 hours including taxi and boarding. In October, airlines maintain multiple daily frequencies—early morning, mid-day, and late afternoon peaks—so travelers can choose times that minimize delays. Connecting flights through Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) add 1–2 hours of layover time but may offer lower fares.
To find cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October, compare legacy and low-cost carriers, search midweek departures (Tuesdays–Thursdays), and subscribe to fare alerts. Use flexible date searches and consider early morning flights which usually have the lowest fares. Leverage fare aggregators (Google Flights, Skyscanner), book direct with airlines if price matches, and check for promotional codes or student/senior discounts.