San Francisco International to Toronto Pearson
2254 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 4h 56m with 7 airlines operating direct service from San Francisco International (SFO) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $127 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $127). 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 Toronto
Toronto Pearson is 22 km northwest of downtown Toronto, with the UP Express train reaching Union Station in 25 minutes for CA$12.35. Air Canada is the dominant carrier; US carriers serve YYZ heavily as the largest cross-border destination. Fares from US East Coast and Midwest are competitive year-round; peak demand is around Caribana (early August) and the Toronto International Film Festival (early September).
Who flies SFO to YYZ?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| United Airlines | UA | 4h 56m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 4h 56m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 4h 56m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 4h 56m | Economy |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 4h 56m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 4h 56m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 4h 56m | Economy |
7 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly SFO→YYZ
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 Toronto FAQs
Direct flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) take approximately 4h 56m for the 2254-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 $127. 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.
7 carriers operate direct service from San Francisco International (SFO) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ): United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and 2 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — United Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No eTA required for US citizens, but a US passport (or NEXUS card / Enhanced Driver License) is required for air travel. Always check travel.state.gov for the latest entry requirements before booking.
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is the primary international airport for Toronto. 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.