Have you ever wanted to visit Lombard Street and snap pics of the Golden Gate Bridge in your sourdough bread bowl? A city that can take your breath away, and I mean literally, there is nothing to say about San Unfortunately before you’re able to enjoy the magic of the City by the Bay you need to first get there! Nobody wants to take precious vacation time sitting in an airport waiting for a connection, right? There’s the beauty of San Francisco direct flight.
If that’s how you feel, then this is your ultimate guide to uncovering those direct routes, whether you’re boarding a plane from across the country or across the pond. In this read I’ll tell you about the cities with these seamless journeys, share some insider tips for scoring those cheap direct flights to San Francisco, and even hit on the options for those in Europe who are making the trip. Let’s get started, shall we?
Domestic Direct Flights
Great news if you’re in the US! a cheap direct flights to san francisco will be on the table, indeed. Probably on a plane from several major cities.
Major US Hubs:
New York (JFK & EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Atlanta (ATL), Denver (DEN), and Seattle (SEA). If consistency and daily direct flights are what you’re after, these are your go to cities. Your usual suspects here are major airlines — United, American, Delta, Alaska, and you can usually count on several flights per day. Travel times vary but you are typically looking at a 1 hour jaunt from LA to 5 to 6 hours between NYC. Check for seasonal changes – in fact sometimes routes will become even more frequent during peak travel times.
Other Notable US Routes:
Other hubs including Boston (BOS), Houston (IAH), the District (IAD), Orlando (MCO), and, if you’re in Arizona, Phoenix (PHX) all have direct flights to San Francisco. They’re not as frequent as the big hubs, but they’re great routes to take. These routes tend to have the same major airlines, and sometimes smaller ones.
Now, let’s talk about finding those cheap direct flights to San Francisco within the US:
- You are much more likely to get a deal if your travel dates are flexible. Work towards being open to flying midweek or off peak seasons.
- There are sure last minute deals, but if you’re willing to set a couple weeks or even a month or so in advance, you usually can get a decent price.
- You can use Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak to see which price you can get with different airlines and date. Price alerts: They will send you a notice when a fare goes down below your target price.
- Jump only if budget airlines can be tempting with their low base fees, but also look out for baggage fees, seat selection fees and locations of the airports before you jump.
- Add an alert for your desired route and let the tech work the legs.
Direct Flights to San Francisco from Europe
Planning a transatlantic trip? The good news is, you don’t need to connect through another US city. There are plenty of direct flights to San Francisco from Europe, especially from these major hubs:
Western European Hotspots:
London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Dublin (DUB), and Zurich (ZRH) are your go-to cities for direct flights. Airlines like United, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, and Swiss often fly these routes. Expect flight times to range from 10-12+ hours, so get ready to settle in with your favorite movies. These are generally long haul flights with amenities and multiple cabin options to choose from.
Other European Direct Options (and Seasonality):
While less common than the main hubs, you might occasionally find direct flights to San Francisco from Europe like Rome, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Lisbon. It’s worth noting that some of these routes might be seasonal, operating more frequently during the summer months.
And now, for those cheap direct flights to San Francisco from Europe secrets:
- Traveling in the spring or fall, outside the peak summer months, can often result in significant savings.
- If you’re a frequent flyer, now’s the time to cash in! Check your airline’s reward programs for available seats.
- An “open jaw” ticket (flying into one city and out of another) can sometimes be cheaper. You can fly into SFO and return from another West Coast city, or vice versa.
- Sometimes nearby connecting European airports may offer cheaper options that might be worth considering if you do not mind the connecting flight.
- For those long-haul flights across the Atlantic, booking well in advance is a must for the best prices.
Beyond the Usual Suspects
Speaking of Direct flights to San Francisco, we’ve explained the most typical routes, but as always during busy travel seasons you’ve got to consider the latest flight schedules and even other, less directly obvious routes. Occasionally you will find direct routes from certain areas of Asia, Australia or Latin America. But these are less likely, and it’s always worth checking! Keep in mind that airline routes change often, and you should check flight search engines you like to stay informed.
Golden Gate, Here You Come!
You don’t have to suffer through headaches in finding direct flights to San Francisco. Using these tips, and being flexible a little, you can assure a smooth ride and more time to enjoy the SF experience. Knockin ‘em out of the park, these direct routes are out there for you, from the major US cities all the way out to European hotspots. So, what are you waiting for? That means it’s time to start planning your direct flights to San Francisco from Europe. Also, don’t forget to share your travel tips in the comments below! Where are you flying in from? We’d love to hear from you!
Major US cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, and Seattle.
Yes, cities like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Zurich have direct flights.
Book early, travel off-peak, and use sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak with price alerts.
Occasionally, direct flights are available from Asia, Australia, and Latin America, but they’re less frequent.
