$97 Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Francisco (SFO)

Popular airlines from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)

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Cheap Flights from Sacramento to San Francisco (SMF-SFO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $97 for one-way flights and $179 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

United
Hawaiian Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United
United
United
United
United
Alaska Airlines
Frontier Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sacramento (SMF) to San Francisco (SFO)

August is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $159 - $381 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near San Francisco

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Francisco (SFO)
Origin airport
Sacramento Intl.
Destination airport
San Francisco Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$179
Distance
86 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 6 mins

Sacramento to San Francisco Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Sacramento to San Francisco

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Sacramento to San Francisco are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Sacramento to San Francisco with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Sacramento to San Francisco

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sacramento to San Francisco: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Sacramento to San Francisco

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Sacramento to San Francisco in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $97 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Sacramento to San Francisco flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Sacramento to San Francisco airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

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

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) cost?
Pick up cheap return flights starting from $179 from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving SMF on July 25 2025 and touching down at SFO. The price was last updated on June 30 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SMF to SFO?
To pick up a cheap fare, look for direct flights from SMF to SFO leaving in December. You can find a one-way United flight for $204 leaving on December 6 2025. This price is based on the cheapest direct flight found on Expedia for this route in the next 330 days. The price was last updated on June 30 2025 and remains unchanged.
Which airlines fly direct from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Take a direct flight with United Airlines and journey straight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SMF to SFO?
Journey from SMF to SFO with United. This carrier currently has the cheapest one-way ticket on this route, starting at $204. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SMF on August 21 2025. Prices were last updated on June 30 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
When flying out of Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), you'll have your pick from an average of 3 daily nonstop flights to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
The 6 AM departures from SMF to SFO are the busiest. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you're hoping to save money, pick a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from SMF to SFO?
Friday offers the most flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). Consider taking off on this day and you'll have a greater chance of finding a schedule that works for you.
What is the earliest flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Hop on the earliest flight at around 6:00AM UTC-8, leaving from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF). You'll be in the air for approximately 1h 7m, reaching San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) at approximately 7:07AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
The average flight duration from SMF to SFO is 1 hour and 10 minutes, covering a total distance of 85 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Book a flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures after this time are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Francisco from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
Explore your flight options from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). This is the only San Francisco airport you can touch down at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your departure to book your flight from SMF to SFO often results in higher prices. While you may come across some last-minute discounts, they aren't always guaranteed. Allow some flexibility in your schedule to boost your chances of snagging a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SMF to SFO flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a SMF to SFO flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better yet, having it all in one place takes the hassle out of travel planning. Simply pick your flights and select from our extensive range of hotels, then customize your trip with extras like tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
If you reserved your SMF to SFO flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the ticket type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal for further details.

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