$516 Cheap Flights to San Francisco

Flights to San Francisco at a glance

Traveling to San Francisco is a breeze—simply select from a range of full-service or budget airlines, evaluate flight durations, and choose the best option that aligns with your budget, schedule, and plans to explore the city’s iconic attractions and neighborhoods.

• Major airport near San Francisco: Bancasi Airport (BXU)
• Flights per week: 26 flights arriving at San Francisco airport
• Number of airlines that fly to San Francisco: around 2 carriers

Popular airport near San Francisco

San Francisco is a captivating destination ideal for outdoor activities, stunning scenery, and beach getaways. Visitors flock to this city for its beautiful landscapes, recreational opportunities, business ventures, and more, all easily accessible via its major airport.

• Bancasi Airport (BXU): Situated in Caraga, approximately 47 miles from San Francisco, this airport offers a mix of domestic and international flights, linking travelers to about 2 domestic locations and 1 international city. Passengers can opt for an upgrade to premium economy for enhanced comfort, subject to the airline and route. Major carriers operating here include Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.

Top routes to San Francisco

• Manila (MNL) to San Francisco (BXU), with one-way fares starting at around $35
• Cebu (CEB) to San Francisco (BXU), with one-way fares starting at around $25
• Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (BXU), with one-way flight options from around $470

Cheapest routes to San Francisco

• Cebu (CEB) to San Francisco (BXU), with affordable one-way prices from around $25
• Manila (MNL) to San Francisco (BXU), with affordable one-way prices from around $35
• Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (BXU), with budget one-way fares from around $470

*Flight times and fares vary by season and availability and are based on one-way routes

Top airlines with flights to San Francisco

• Cebu Pacific: Provides flights to Bancasi Airport (BXU), making up about 78% of all arrivals in San Francisco. Travelers can expect an average one-way fare of roughly $50.
• Philippine Airlines: Operates flights to Bancasi Airport (BXU), representing approximately 22% of arrivals to San Francisco. The typical one-way fare hovers around $280, with options for premium cabins depending on the route.

Best time to fly to San Francisco

The most popular months for travelers to fly to San Francisco are January, March, and April, when peak temperatures in San Francisco can reach up to 79°F in April. If you prefer quieter travel, consider September, the least busy and relatively cheaper time to visit with fewer crowds and temperatures around 79.5°F. For better deals, February usually offers the lowest average one-way fare around $62, roughly 27% cheaper than the yearly average. Looking for additional cheaper months to fly? October offers an average one-way fare of around $69, making it a good option for flexible travelers.

*Average one-way fare is based on Expedia flight booking data from January 2025 to April 2026 for the specified route and travel class and may change depending on availability, dates, and demand.

How to save money on a flight to San Francisco

Getting some of the best deals on flights to San Francisco is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

1. Compare flight options—use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
2. Set up price alerts—as an Expedia member you can use Price Tracking to receive notifications when flight prices change.
3. Bundle and save—book a flight and unlock a hotel deal on Expedia*, or explore our San Francisco hotel and flight deals.
4. Think about luggage-nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your baggage allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.
5. Earn miles—you can earn airline miles when you book your San Francisco flight with Expedia. Just select your frequent flyer program and enter your program number when confirming your booking.

*For members. Select hotels.

Arriving in San Francisco

San Francisco welcomes travelers through its range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. Here's how to reach San Francisco efficiently:

• Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in San Francisco, with private rides that can be arranged in advance.
• Car rental: Renting a car in San Francisco is a good option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals in San Francisco on Expedia.
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.

Where to stay around San Francisco

• San Luis: Located 15 miles away from San Francisco, San Luis offers a blend of educational and natural attractions. Visitors can explore Mount Carmel College, a modern institution perfect for those interested in an urban academic setting. For a touch of romance and adventure, don't miss Dagangdang Falls, where the serene waters create a picturesque backdrop. Additionally, the San Francisco Municipal Hall serves as a noteworthy civic building, ideal for business travelers looking to engage in the local governance landscape.
• Rosario: Rosario is located 6 miles away from San Francisco and is a delightful destination for those seeking scenic outdoor experiences. Enjoy the beautiful river and beach, ideal for relaxation or a day of fun in the sun. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish offers a cultural retreat with its historic architecture, while Mount Carmel College and the San Francisco Municipal Hall provide modern educational and governmental insights, catering to a variety of interests.
• Prosperidad: Situated 10 miles away from San Francisco, Prosperidad invites travelers to discover its unique attractions. The town is home to Mount Carmel College, providing a contemporary educational atmosphere. Visitors can also explore the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, which adds a cultural touch to their itinerary. Business travelers can utilize the San Francisco Municipal Hall, a key facility for civic engagement, making this city a diverse stop for various types of visitors.

Tips for short-haul flights to San Francisco

For quick getaways, efficiency is key. Here is how to make your short-haul journey smoother:

• Pack light and skip checked bags—with budget airlines, traveling with just a carry-on is often more economical. Optimize space by using mini toiletries, wearing your bulkiest clothing, and planning your outfits efficiently. This strategy also helps you avoid delays at baggage claim upon arrival.
• Bring your own entertainment—many short-haul flights might not feature in-flight entertainment. Download TV shows, movies, music, or podcasts ahead of time, and consider bringing a book to keep yourself occupied. Remember to charge your devices fully before you board.
• Arrive at the airport in plenty of time—even for short or domestic flights, it’s advisable to get to the airport at least 1.5 to 2 hours before your departure, allowing for traffic and security lines.
• Bring your own snacks and water—pack some snacks and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and save money while at the airport.

Tips for long-haul flights to San Francisco

Flying long-haul sometimes requires extra planning to ensure a comfortable journey:

• Select your seat in advance—for longer flights, choosing your seat is essential for comfort. Full-service airlines often provide free seat selection once online check-in begins, typically 24–48 hours prior to your flight. Some airlines allow seat selection even earlier.
• Arrive at the airport in plenty of time—aim to arrive at least 3 hours before departure for international flights to accommodate check-in, security procedures, and immigration.
• Relax at the airport—if you have extra time, take the opportunity to explore the shops, grab a coffee, or unwind at the gate or in a departure lounge if you have access. Airport Wi-Fi is generally free and available.
• Adjust to the new time zone mid-flight—begin syncing your body clock by changing your watch and modifying your sleep schedule to align with your destination's time zone. Try to sleep or stay awake during the flight according to the local time of your arrival to help minimize jet lag.

Tips to find the cheapest flights to San Francisco

The cheapest day to fly

Get started finding a cheap flight to San Francisco on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

The cheapest month to fly

October is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco. This coincides with the low season when fewer people travel. Whichever month you travel in, though, be sure to book at least a month in advance if you want to score cheap tickets to San Francisco. ARC's data shows that domestic flights booked 28 days or more before departure are typically 24% cheaper than those booked last minute.

The most affordable time to book a flight

Typically, a Sunday can be the cheapest time to book a flight to San Francisco, according to ARC’s data. On average, you could save between 6% and 13% by booking on a Sunday instead of a Friday, which is the most expensive day to make a reservation.

The cheapest round-trip tickets to San Francisco

The lowest price for round-trip flights to San Francisco in 2026 starts from $1,034, while one-way tickets start from from $516. Expedia's effective search tool is one of the best ways to find a budget airfare. Simply enter your dates, and within seconds, it'll show you a vast selection of the cheapest flights to San Francisco. If you have a preferred departure time or airline, you can use the handy filters to customize your search.

The cheapest airlines flying to San Francisco

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways are just some of the airlines that can typically offer cheap tickets to San Francisco. You can find their most affordable flights by using the “airline” search filter and then sorting prices from low to high. As a trusted partner of the world's leading airlines, Expedia offers you some of the best airfare deals to San Francisco and countless more destinations worldwide.

The most affordable airports to fly into

To view the cheapest airports to fly into for San Francisco, simply order your search results from lowest to highest price. Expedia's search tool compares flight prices for all airports close to your destination, so you don't have to manually search them one by one to find the cheapest flight to San Francisco. If you have a preferred place to fly into, take advantage of the “arrival airport” filter to narrow down your search on Expedia.

Save with a package

With Expedia's amazing package deals, you could save hundreds of dollars by booking your San Francisco plane tickets together with your accommodations, car rental, or activities. Just select the search wizard's “package” option to view some of the cheapest deals. Look out for the green savings label to see how much you're saving.

Date flexibility for the cheapest flights to San Francisco

If you can be flexible with your travel dates, it's a good idea to broaden your search by comparing prices on different days. This will open up more options, meaning you could uncover a less expensive flight to San Francisco.

Stopover savings

The cheapest tickets to San Francisco are sometimes those with a stopover. Book one of these flights, and you'll change planes at an airport en route to San Francisco. While the overall travel time might be longer than a non-stop flight, you may decide it's worth it for the money saved.

Get Expedia's Price Drop Protection

Price Drop Protection means that if your flight gets cheaper after booking, you'll be credited the difference*. This gives you peace of mind that you're getting one of the cheapest flights to San Francisco for your chosen departure. Expedia's Price Drop Protection is available for a small fee but is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

*Terms apply.

Use our Price Tracking feature

Expedia's Price Tracking feature is another great tool that removes the guesswork from finding cheap flights to San Francisco. Simply download the free Expedia app to your smart device and activate San Francisco flight price alerts for your travel dates. There's even a price predictor tool that uses historical data to indicate the best time to book, giving you peace of mind that you'll nab the lowest prices.

Book with Expedia

As well as Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking, Expedia's close partnership with a vast selection of the world's leading airlines means you're sure to find cheap flights to San Francisco. Plus, the One Key rewards program lets you earn real cash rewards on most bookings that you can use to save money on future trips. Best of all, it's free to join, and members often unlock exclusive discounts, too.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.