San Francisco International to Narita International
5112 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 10h 41m with 3 airlines operating direct service from San Francisco International (SFO) to Narita International (NRT). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $752 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $752). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from San Francisco International
San Francisco International is United's main Pacific hub and Alaska Airlines' largest non-Seattle base. Four terminals form a single ring connected by the AirTrain shuttle, with BART running from the dedicated airport station directly to Powell Street downtown in around 30 minutes for $10. Heavy fog from May through August causes chronic morning delays — book mid-day departures during summer where possible. International long-haul to Asia and Europe is the deepest on the West Coast.
Arriving in Tokyo
Tokyo Narita International is 60 km east of central Tokyo, with the Narita Express train reaching Tokyo Station in 53 minutes for ¥3,070. ANA, Japan Airlines, United, Delta and American operate the US-Tokyo corridor; Haneda (HND) increasingly handles new US-Tokyo capacity for shorter ground transfers. Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) is peak demand; January and August are the cheapest from US bases.
Who flies SFO to NRT?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| ANA | NH | 10h 41m | Economy |
| Japan Airlines | JL | 10h 41m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 10h 41m | Economy |
3 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly SFO→NRT
Synthesised from 12-month price aggregates. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Estimated baseline. Prices update on a 30-day cadence as Travelpayouts data refreshes. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
San Francisco to Tokyo FAQs
Direct flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to Narita International (NRT) take approximately 10h 41m for the 5112-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.
Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $605. Jun is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
3 carriers operate direct service from San Francisco International (SFO) to Narita International (NRT): ANA, Japan Airlines and United Airlines. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — ANA typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
Visa-free for US passport holders up to 90 days. JESTA electronic authorisation phase-in expected by 2030. Always check travel.state.gov for the latest entry requirements before booking.
Narita International (NRT) is the primary international airport for Tokyo. 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.