Cheap flights from San Diego International to San Francisco International from $79
Updated 2026-08-10
447 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 1h 18m with 8 airlines operating direct service from San Diego International (SAN) to San Francisco International (SFO). Fares on this corridor stay relatively stable across the year — booking 4–8 weeks ahead and choosing a midweek departure typically secures the best price.
Flying from San Diego International
San Diego International is the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States, sitting 3 miles from downtown San Diego. MTS Route 992 runs from the terminals directly to downtown in around 15 minutes for $2.50; the future Trolley extension (planned 2027) will provide direct light rail. Southwest and Alaska have the largest schedules; American, Delta and United add full-service capacity. Limited international long-haul — British Airways and Lufthansa serve London and Frankfurt direct.
Arriving in San Francisco
San Francisco International sits 13 miles south of the city, with BART running directly from the international terminal station to Powell Street in 30 minutes for $10. Morning summer fog (May–August) routinely causes ground delays; book afternoon departures or mid-day arrivals during that window. Fares from US East Coast peak around tech-conference weeks (Apple WWDC in June, Salesforce Dreamforce in September) and are cheapest in February.
Who flies SAN to SFO?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 1h 18m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 1h 18m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 1h 18m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 1h 18m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 1h 18m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 1h 18m | Economy |
| Frontier Airlines | F9 | 1h 18m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 1h 18m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
San Diego to San Francisco FAQs
Direct flights from San Diego International (SAN) to San Francisco International (SFO) take approximately 1h 18m for the 447-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
8 carriers operate direct service from San Diego International (SAN) to San Francisco International (SFO): Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Southwest Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.
San Francisco International (SFO) is the primary international airport for San Francisco. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.