Find flights
Airlines
Travel Guide

Cheap flights to San Francisco

— SFO
Oct 28 — Nov 41
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Find flight deals to San Francisco

Popular in

April

Cheapest in

March

Average price

R18 235
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 6% potential increase in price (R1 280 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease (R443 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for return flights in September 2026
Search Deals

Best time to book a flight to San Francisco

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight to San Francisco

When is the best time to book a flight to San Francisco?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight to San Francisco, you should look to book at least 68 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco

See what other customers who have flown with Emirates,KLM, andTurkish Airlines to the United States have to say. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
KLM
7,8
Good
1 577 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Turkish Airlines
7,4
Good
4 454 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Virgin Atlantic
7,4
Good
694 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Qatar Airways
7,3
Good
3 727 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 665 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8,2

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Milind,Aug 2026

DXB - SFO

Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.

FAQs about flying to San Francisco

San Francisco climate

San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, but, as it’s surrounded by water on three sides, it’s cooler than you’d expect a Californian city to be. Average summer temps are 21 degrees Celsius and the winter temps hover about the 15-degree mark. March-May is spring; June through August summer; September to November autumn (San Francisco gets a wonderful late burst of sun) and December to February is winter when most rain falls.

Getting around San Francisco

San Francisco has its share of hills, but the best way to see it is to walk it.

Driving around San Francisco can be a frustrating business and parking spaces seem to be in extremely high demand too. Public transport is fantastic. San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) extends across most of the tourist areas. BART is the regional metro and Caltrain offers fast commuter rail service.

The historic street cars and cable cars are a tourist must-do. Cable cars go to the most popular tourist destinations. The city bus system (Muni) is comprehensive but avoid rush-hours when the buses are packed.

If you’re bound for Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building or Union Square, take the “F” Line Trolley. It runs on Market Street and The Embarcadero from the Castro district to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Renting a bike is a wonderful way to see San Francisco. Bike rentals start about $20 per day.

What is good to know if travelling to San Francisco?

  • The Ferry Building downtown (along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street) offers better – and cheaper – food and fewer tourists than Fisherman’s Wharf. 
  • Shopping is great in San Francisco. If you’re considering taking cheap flights to San Francisco in the summer time it for late June/early July. This is when the big stores discount their stock. Marshall’s (901 Market Street) is fantastic for heavily discounted designer stock. 
  • Alcatraz was the feared prison that stands, on a rock, in the middle of the Bay. Al Capone and “Birdman” Robert Stroud were residents among many, many hardened crims between 1934 and 1963. Now Alcatraz is a haven of flora and fauna and thousands and thousands of sea birds. The Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour will give you an insight into what life was like for the inmates. The voices you’ll hear are those of former inmates and their jailers. 
  • A must-visit: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Its collection is made up of more than 26,000 artworks, photographs and design objects.

  • When is the best time to fly to San Francisco?

    Peak Season:  Most travellers jet in on their cheap flights to San Francisco during the summer months. Summer days can be chilly and foggy however. Thank the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean for the fog.  Off Season:  December to February is the “rainy season” when you can expect light rain showers, torrential downpours and everything in between.  Shoulder Season:  April, September-November. are shoulder season months.

  • What airport do you fly into for flights to San Francisco?

    Travellers will need to book flights to San Francisco (SFO) if they wish to fly to San Francisco. The San Francisco airport is 17,7 km from the city centre.

  • Can I find cheaper flights to San Francisco if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to San Francisco on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to San Francisco?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Turkish Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to San Francisco.

  • What is the cheapest airport to fly to in San Francisco?

    San Francisco is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in San Francisco. One-way flights to San Francisco typically cost R2 307, while return flights cost around R5 842.

  • How much is a return flight to San Francisco?

    A return flight to San Francisco will typically cost around R6 460, however they can be found for as little as R5 842.

  • Where does the fastest flight to San Francisco depart from?

    For those looking to save time traveling to San Francisco, Johannesburg offers the quickest one-way flight (29 hours 20 minutes).

  • Does San Francisco have car hire?

    Yes. Those touching down at San Francisco can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to San Francisco?

    Yes. San Francisco has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Grand Hyatt At Sfo is the closest property to San Francisco (1,6 km away from San Francisco).

See more FAQs

Travelling to a place near San Francisco?

Book flights to San Francisco if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mountain View
Alameda
Burlingame
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Search flights to San Francisco by cabin class

First Class flights to San Francisco
Business Class flights to San Francisco
Prem Economy Class flights to San Francisco
Economy Class flights to San Francisco

Fly with Cheapflights

How does Cheapflights help users find flights to San Francisco?

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights to San Francisco. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to San Francisco?

Cheapflights taps into our reliable network of hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best deals for flights to San Francisco for you. Better yet — we are completely free to use.

Can Cheapflights find flights to San Francisco with no change fees?

Certainly. Search results for flights to San Francisco shown to you on Cheapflights can be narrowed down with different useful search filters, which includes flexible booking options.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights to San Francisco become cheaper?

Yes, Cheapflights has a feature called Price Alerts, which notifies users when flight prices change. Track prices for your flight to San Francisco today and book when you’re ready!

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book With Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees.

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.