Submit feedbackComplete travel information for your October journey
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.
In October, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) typically experiences moderate security wait times, often 10–25 minutes during off-peak hours and up to 30–45 minutes during morning and late-afternoon waves. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes reduce screening time substantially; arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic SFO→LAX flight if you don’t have expedited screening. For the best experience, check real-time SFO security wait alerts and consider an earlier arrival during special events in the Bay Area.
October is a good time to find off-airport parking deals near San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as demand dips after summer; many private lots offer shuttle service and pre-book discounts. For convenience, book in advance using the airport’s official parking portal or third-party parking aggregators to lock in lower rates and guaranteed shuttle pick-up. Consider ride-hailing to reduce cost and avoid the long walk from economy lots during cool fall mornings.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers BART, Caltrain (via connecting shuttles), shuttle services, taxis and rideshare pickup zones that connect to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley. In October, BART schedules remain consistent—expect 30–45 minutes to downtown—and rideshare surge pricing is typically lower than summer peak. For a reliable commute to the Peninsula or San Jose, consider an express shuttle or direct VTA/Caltrain connections from Millbrae.
Airlines often adjust schedules entering fall; in October you can expect a full roster of daily nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with higher frequency on major carriers during weekdays. Check airline timetables a week before travel for small changes or aircraft swaps. Book early to secure peak departure times and use fare alerts for SFO→LAX cheap flights in October.
Baggage allowances are set by the individual airline, but San Francisco International Airport (SFO) enforces standard TSA carry-on and checked-bag rules year-round; liquid limits and prohibited items remain the same in October. Check your carrier’s size and weight limits before packing—budget carriers often charge for checked bags while legacy airlines include a free carry-on. For the smoothest experience, print or save boarding passes and baggage receipts, and verify oversized items with your airline ahead of time.
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.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) provides multiple ground options: FlyAway buses to Downtown LA and Van Nuys, rideshare pickup zones, taxis, rental cars and regional shuttles to Orange County and Anaheim. In October traffic tends to be lighter than summer, but rush hours still apply—expect 30–60 minutes to Downtown LA and 40–90 minutes to Anaheim depending on traffic. Book a FlyAway or rideshare early, or reserve a rental car if you plan to visit Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, or Disneyland.
October in Los Angeles is generally sunny and warm with lower tourist crowds compared to summer; however, large conventions, film festivals and sports games can create local surges at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Expect reduced likelihood of weather delays but check schedules during mid-October festivals and Dodgers or Rams home games. Monitor airline flight status and LAX arrivals before heading to the airport to avoid unexpected waits.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) operates multiple terminals serving major carriers; arriving from San Francisco often lands in Terminals 2–4 or the Tom Bradley International Terminal depending on carrier. Terminals include food halls, lounges, rental car desks, and direct shuttle services to economy parking and nearby hotels. In October, many seasonal restaurant offerings and airport promotions restart—use the LAX app for terminal maps and lounge access information.
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) it typically takes 20–40 minutes to reach Santa Monica and 35–70 minutes to reach Malibu in October, depending on traffic and route. Morning and evening peak hours can increase travel time; late-morning off-peak drives are often quicker and more predictable. For scenic trips to Malibu, allow extra time for coastal traffic and potential event-related congestion.
October often brings competitive hotel rates near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as the summer peak subsides; look for deals in Westchester, El Segundo, and near the airport shuttle cluster. Use aggregator filters for free cancellation and airport shuttles, and compare weekday vs weekend rates—midweek can be cheaper. Book early for popular October dates tied to conventions or sports events to secure the best airport-adjacent lodging.
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.
