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$531 Find Cheap Flights to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$988
Typical prices: $1,209-$1,998
Fiji Airways
Sun 25/11Wed 28/11
BNE - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
$1,404
Typical prices: $1,343-$2,280
Qantas Airways
Sun 28/10Sun 4/11
SYD - SFO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and Qantas Airways. Average duration is 13h 44m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Most flights • 20 per week
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 25% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 17 weeks in advance save around 17% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 12% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to San Francisco

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to San Francisco

Wed, 25 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Fiji Airways Logo
11:25 - 12:35BNE  Brisbane-SFO San Francisco
19h 10m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
21:50 - 10:15SFO  San Francisco-BNE Brisbane
18h 25m1 stop Nadi
$988Fiji Airways
Sun, 11 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct
Fiji Airways Logo
11:35 - 13:40BNE  Brisbane-SFO San Francisco
19h 05m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
23:10 - 10:35SFO  San Francisco-BNE Brisbane
18h 25m1 stop Nadi
$988Fiji Airways
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:00 - 18:50SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-SFO San Francisco
22h 50m2 stops Nadi Los Angeles
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:00 - 12:35SFO  San Francisco-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
29h 35m2 stops Los Angeles Nadi
$1,117Multiple Airlines
Tue, 27 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:00 - 20:32SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-SFO San Francisco
24h 32m2 stops Nadi Los Angeles
Multiple Airlines Logo
19:14 - 12:35SFO  San Francisco-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
46h 21m3 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Los Angeles Nadi
$1,130Multiple Airlines
Thu, 25 Feb - Thu, 4 Mar
Air Canada Logo
11:20 - 17:23SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-SFO San Francisco
49h 03m2 stops Vancouver Intl Calgary
Air Canada Logo
08:19 - 09:35SFO  San Francisco-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
30h 16m2 stops Calgary Vancouver Intl
$1,264Air Canada
Thu, 4 Mar - Thu, 18 Mar
Air Canada Logo
11:20 - 17:23SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith-SFO San Francisco
49h 03m2 stops Vancouver Intl Calgary
Air Canada Logo
17:35 - 08:35SFO  San Francisco-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith
21h 00m1 stop Vancouver Intl
$1,267Air Canada
Thu, 19 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
United Airlines Logo
07:05 - 20:10BNE  Brisbane-SFO San Francisco
31h 05m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Los Angeles
United Airlines Logo
23:05 - 07:30SFO  San Francisco-BNE Brisbane
14h 25mdirect
$1,268United Airlines
Tue, 13 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 12:35MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
20h 50m1 stop Los Angeles
Qantas Airways Logo
09:27 - 06:45SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
27h 18m1 stop Los Angeles
$1,357Qantas Airways
Mon, 12 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
20:35 - 08:57BNE  Brisbane-SFO San Francisco
29h 22m1 stop Los Angeles
Qantas Airways Logo
07:15 - 05:00SFO  San Francisco-BNE Brisbane
28h 45m1 stop Los Angeles
$1,361Qantas Airways
Mon, 16 Nov - Sun, 29 Nov
United Airlines Logo
12:45 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 25mdirect
United Airlines Logo
21:20 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
41h 10m1 stop Los Angeles
$1,685United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Australia to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Australia to San Francisco with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to San Francisco?

Brisbane to San Francisco is the cheapest route at $988 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. Melbourne Airport to San Francisco is the most popular connection with return deals from $1,357.

How much is a flight to San Francisco?

A return flight to San Francisco costs $1,500 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Return fares from Brisbane average $1,387, while Melbourne Airport runs a bit higher at $1,389.

What is the cheapest day to fly to San Francisco?

Sunday is the cheapest day to fly to San Francisco at $1,465 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Saturday is the most expensive at $1,742.

What is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco?

•May is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco with an average price of $1,327 return.
•July ($1,795) and December ($1,768) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to San Francisco?

Afternoon flights to San Francisco are the cheapest at $1,411 return on average. Night flights are the most expensive at $1,687.

What is a good deal for flights to San Francisco?

Flights under $1,209 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to San Francisco at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Melbourne Airport $1,140
•Brisbane $1,188
•Sydney $1,208.

When are flights to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights to San Francisco are cheapest 17 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 17% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to San Francisco

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$531
Best time to beat the crowds (9% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 10% lower on average.
Flights from Sydney to San Francisco

When to book flights to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Flights to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew to San Francisco 
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines-Sept 2026
Make sure you have your own regular plug-in headphones - not usb-c. Yes they provide them, but they tend to apmpmif the airplane engine noise. Be sure to get some movement in before your flight...its a long time to sit.
AurianneFlew with United Airlines-Sept 2024
Ensure you have 2-3 hours layover You’ll likely need unless you don’t mind missing your next flight

Your questions about flights to San Francisco, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to San Francisco is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to San Francisco is around $1,209 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • How long are direct flights to San Francisco from different departure cities?

    Direct flight time to San Francisco varies depending on your departure city:

    • from Sydney: 13h 20m
    • from Adelaide: 14h 55m
    • from Brisbane: 13h 05m
    • from Melbourne Airport: 14h 15m

  • Where can I fly from to get the cheapest fares to San Francisco?

    Based on fares booked in the past 5 days, the cheapest flights to San Francisco are from:
    • Melbourne, from $1,357 return

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to San Francisco?

    Last-minute fares to San Francisco – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 11% above the average return fare of $1,500.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at San Francisco?

    United Airlines operates the most flights from Australia to San Francisco at 20 per week, and for this route United Airlines is also the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from Australia to San Francisco. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to San Francisco?

  • How many flights serve San Francisco?

    San Francisco receives 3 flights per day and 23 per week from across the world. Sydney has the most flights to San Francisco with 11 weekly flights.

  • Where can I shower at San Francisco Airport?

    Those wanting to freshen up after a long flight will be glad to know there are showers, nap rooms and even ironing facilities all in one place at Freshen Up!, in the main hall of the international terminal. Toiletries are also sold at this location, which is by the entrance to Gates G1-G14.

  • What options are there for dining at San Francisco Airport?

    If you are hungry after a long flight or before a connecting flight, there is a good range of food options at San Francisco Airport, from table service restaurants to classic takeaways such as Burger King. You will find bakeries, cafes, bars and worldwide cuisine, with an option sure to satisfy most palates. For a fresh Californian menu including local microbrews, check out Gott’s Roadside, featuring fresh local seafood on its varied menu.

  • Is a train service available to and from San Francisco Airport?

    San Francisco Airport is serviced by the BART rail network. The SFO BART Station is located at the International Terminal on the Departures level. If you are in another terminal, you can take the AirTrain between terminals for free. BART tickets can be purchased from the station; vouchers can also be purchased in advance online and redeemed at the Information Booth near the AirTrain escalator. BART connects the airport to downtown San Francisco, but also to the San Mateo County and East Bay areas.

  • How much is a taxi fare from San Francisco Airport to downtown San Francisco?

    Taxis in San Francisco all have metered rates. The travel time from the airport to downtown San Francisco is about 30 minutes, and the fare should be between US$46 (about AU$64) and US$66 (about AU$92), depending on the exact destination. Taxis are available outside Arrivals at all terminals, and taxi coordinators are available to help from 7am to 2:15am.

  • Is there an on-site airport hotel at San Francisco Airport?

    Nap rooms are available at FreshenUp inside the International Terminal at San Francisco Airport. Located close to the Airport Travel Agency, it is open 24 hours a day with rates from one hour up to an overnight stay. Showers are also available for an extra fee. In addition, there are five other hotels within five minutes of the airport, all of which offer airport shuttle services.

  • Which lounge can I go to at San Francisco Airport if I’m flying economy?

    There are various airline lounges at San Francisco Airport, but most are only accessible if you are flying with that particular airline. The Air France-KLM Lounge is, however, accessible to all passengers through the purchase of a prepaid pass, regardless of the airline or class they’re traveling with. It is located in the International Terminal and offers beverages, a television, newspapers and Wi-Fi from 6:45am to 1am every day.

Your guide to booking San Francisco flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to San Francisco, aim to book around 17 weeks before you fly. That window historically saves about 17% versus last-minute pricing based on KAYAK booking data over the last 12 months.
  • For flights to San Francisco, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around $1,209 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to San Francisco in May. Return fares historically average $1,327 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to midday to save up to $276 per return. Midday flights to San Francisco average $1,411 compared to $1,687 for evening flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to San Francisco, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, United Airlines includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, Qantas Airways includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Virgin Australia includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.
  • Once you arrive in San Francisco, a few great places to start are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and Chase Center. These are popular with first-time visitors and can give you a good feel for the area.
  • If you are waiting for your next flight during a layover and are in need of some fresh air at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), head up to SkyTerrace, with comfortable seating and 180 degree views of the airport and beyond.
  • Those looking for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation after a long flight or between flights at San Francisco International Airport will find a spa and yoga room in Terminal 2 and another yoga room in Terminal 3. The yoga rooms are free to use.
  • To pick up a book at San Francisco International Airport, for your California beach days or commutes between meetings, you will find a good selection of bookstores and other stores stocking books and magazines. Pick up something to read and find a quiet area to pass the time.
  • If using up time during a layover with retail therapy is your kind of travel, you’ll find plenty available at San Francisco Airport, including luxury brands like Hermes, Gucci and Burberry. Shop duty free and find new favourite pieces for your next adventure.
  • SamTrans is a 24-hour bus service which links San Francisco Airport to parts of San Francisco city. The routes that stop directly at the airport terminals are routes SFO, ECR, 292, 397 and 398. Buses leave from Terminals 2 and 3 outside Arrivals, and from the International Terminal at Level 1.
  • If you’re traveling with kids, you will find nurseries available in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as children’s play areas (Kids’ Spots) in Terminals 2 and 3. If you need items for infants such as diapers, medicine and formula, you can find them at one of the various News shops around the airport. In addition, many restaurants have kids’ menus available.
  • Should you need to put your bags in storage after your flight to San Francisco, please note that luggage storage is available at the Airport Travel Agency in the International Terminal. You can also store sports equipment, dog kennels, canoes and bicycles. They are open from 6am to 11pm every day, with prices varying according to the size of your item and the length of time you wish to store it for.
  • An Airport Butler service is available to passengers: a customized concierge service whereby a member of airport staff assists passengers departing or arriving on flights to San Francisco, or possibly connecting to another flight. You can make a reservation for this service online; it is available in different languages.
  • If you have a bit of time before your flight, head to the Aviation Museum & Library located in the International Terminal for an insight into the world of commercial aviation. The museum is open from 10:30am to 4:30pm every day. Additionally, there are 40 art exhibitions spread throughout the airport terminals, which include paintings, installations, photography and video arts.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to San Francisco

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to San Francisco? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Fiji AirwaysOverall score based on 259 reviews
7.5Food
7.4Entertainment
8.5Crew
8.0Comfort
8.0Boarding
Airline reviews

The flight was delayed and it was delayed on my trip from Seattle to San Francisco also, my luggage didn’t get to me 5 days later after my arrival.

2.0 MediocreAnonymous, Sept 2026
Read more Fiji Airways reviews

The flight was delayed and it was delayed on my trip from Seattle to San Francisco also, my luggage didn’t get to me 5 days later after my arrival.

Left on time , arrived on time. Staff was awesome!!!!! Great flight!!!!

A bit cramped in economy and the people in front wouldn’t put their seats up during meal service, crew did not help with that and I felt they could have done more about it.

The airline is ok, but it needs to improve it schedules.

In-flight entertainment options could use a refresh, Consider a tie-up with Spotify for more current music and with IMDB or other service for newer selections/movie ratings.

6 hour delay and they didnt try to make up any time during an over 10 hour flight

Entertainment was not good. Seems like liquor should’ve been advertised only beer and wine was even though I saw others getting liquor didn’t realize I could. And the food to me could’ve been a little bit.

Better connections, much better cabin crew, much cleaner cabin that Qantas, American and probably other carriers.

The flight attendants were extremely friendly and helpful. Everything ran on time. I highly recommend Fiji Airways.

Very clean aircraft. Friendly staff. New plane. Food quality was good. Not my flavor but I saw the effort.

Premium economy seats and food we're very nice although the price could be more affordable so we can do it more often.

The Premium Economy seats were very comfortable and the food was quite tasty. I did not use the entertainment system, but I was able to charge my phone and tablet with the seatback connection.

Please add more Bollywood movies and recent movies to the entertainment.

Kayak did not propagate my United miles account and I had to manually get credit.

Not a comfortable trip, the seats are not good, and they look old.

Everything was fine. Wish the wifi was free and included in the ticket price.

Sitting in an aisle seat equals getting hit by food cart and spilled on multiple times Food: gross and minimalistic Crew: frumpy and kurt Sound on multiple entertainment platforms poor Not an earplug problem, system soundboard poor

The flight attendances were very helpful and friendly ! Dinner and breakfast were great . The seat was not too comfortable though .

Couldn’t request a vegan meal somehow but I noticed other people getting them

Good food and entertainment options. Great Staff that were all welcoming and caregiving.

New aircraft and flight was running on time, but adverse weather conditions meant we were unable to land on the first two approaches. Third attempt resulted in a very smooth and safe landing.

Very good it will be my choice of airline while in Australia.

Flight cancelled due to broken seat. $8 refreshment voucher barely bought a coffee. 3 hours to next flight. Also then delayed.

There were no food or entertainment on this short flight. Friendly staff even before getting on the flight. The seats were snug but it was quick flight

Good flight. On time. No problems. Plane was clean. Service was as you would expect. However nothing special, just a good flight.

Very friendly staff. No food service and no entertainment. Only 1hr 20min flight

High fees for excess checked baggage and somehow ridiculous rules for carry on bags.

Flight was late, food and drink an extra charge, my carry on is five rows behind me, and the seats are too narrow. Don’t ask me to be happy about it

I bought flights in August and there wasn’t a flight in the system

Our 6.30am flight was boarded then cancelled to fly at 10.55am . We were flying to Brisbane to attend a funeral at 12 noon an hour away . This means missing the funeral due to unreliability of Virgin . Unimpressed !!

Overall, it was a very good experience. I would have given it a 10/10, especially based on our flight from SFO to Melbourne. The cabin crew on that flight were wonderful and incredibly attentive. They took extra care when setting up our beds so we could sleep comfortably without being disturbed. Dinner was served promptly and smoothly. I woke up quite late, when the flight was already preparing for landing, and the crew still made sure I was taken care of. They brought me English tea in a proper cup, and when it was time to prepare the cabin for landing, they thoughtfully transferred it into a takeaway cup so I could continue enjoying it along with some breakfast. Those small, thoughtful gestures made the long flight feel much more comfortable and special. The service from the SFO to Melbourne crew was truly excellent.

Loved the food and beverages available, spacious economy class, excellent entertainment

Very good overall. Highly recommend for all flying to Australia

We had bulkhead seats in a A380 in the upper deck in seats 31 D and E. Storage was very limited other than in overhead bin - which is not within reach when in seat. Yet paying same price as others in premium economy who have a lot more storage within arm’s reach. Seems very unfair.

When I originally booked this flight, I was expecting to travel on Qantas. When the itinerary changed and the long-haul segment was operated by American Airlines, we were disappointed but remained open-minded. Unfortunately, the overall service experience fell far short of expectations. This was a long-haul international flight. Getting up periodically to use the restroom or stretch is inevitable, especially on flights of this duration. However, each time we stood up, we felt as though we were inconveniencing the crew. The tone and body language often suggested that we were in the way or disrupting something simply by moving about the cabin. As a result, I avoided getting up as often as I needed to and was physically very sore upon arrival. Meal service was similarly impersonal. The options were presented in single words “beef or veggie,” “pasta or beef” without any description of what was actually being served. There was little engagement or courtesy beyond that. Even simple expressions of gratitude were often not acknowledged. I am accustomed to no-frills travel and do not expect luxury. What was disappointing was not the absence of extras, but the absence of basic warmth and professionalism. On a long-haul international flight, small moments of courtesy and humanity make a significant difference. In this case, the experience felt transactional and dismissive rather than welcoming. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as there is a meaningful difference between efficient service and indifferent service.

Business seats not as comfortable or private as most competitors (e.g. Qantas was outstanding), and movie selection was much more limited than Qantas or United has been recently

Hard to move and get out of my seat when the passenger in front is in recline position.

I tried to check in online but was unable to do so. I stood in line for nearly two hours to check in. American Airlines was understaffed. When I finally got to the kiosk to check in, I was still unable to check in. No AA staff was available to help. Finally one of the airport security agents who was helping passengers became of lack of AA Staff told me: “I think the reason you can’t check in is that you are starting your name with an upper case letter when you write it. Just write it with all lower case letters.” That did allow me to check in. HOW COULD ANYONE POSSIBLY KNOW THAT IF THEY USE AN INITIAL UPPER CASE LETTER TO SPELL THEIR OWN NAME, AA WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO CHECK IN?????? Then I had to wait in line over half an hour again to drop off my baggage. Although I arrived at the airport 3 hours early, by the time I got to the gate, they had already started boarding.

Their aircraft are old and amenities lack way behind other international carriers leaving from BNE. Even in economy

The plane was new (<6mos old) and was very well appointed. Lots of places to store things/plenty of legroom/comfortable seats/great blankets and headsets. Food was very good too. And crew were all very friendly and accommodating. Great trip!

United did nit provide any updated on flight crew not bein available until boarding time started. It was bad. Itws alate night flight and there no proactive communication and iha d an important meeting that i missed due to thus

Delayed too much. 1.5 hrs in the airport and another 1 hr in the runway. Got too late in the night. There was no proper food available.

For the Singapore to CA flight, nearly 16 hours long was miserable. We sat on the tarmac for one hour to burn fuel. The flight attendant girls were mean. They would yell at people who stood up to try to stretch their legs. One time the drinks came thru and the lady judged us and made a comment about how much sugar was in apple juice when we ordered it once. She was rude and inappropriate. The entire flight was frustrating. You'd think a long haul like that the airline would try to make you comfortable. I just don't understand why the ladies were so snappy. I have never experienced rude flight attendants like that. It was the longest flight I've had to sit on before. We were not impressed. Raymond on the other hand was amazing! By far the best person working that flight!

premium economy is expensive but worth it for the comfort and food on a long flight

Good flight. However, when booked flight with United, assumed the layover included by United in San Francisco of 1 hr and 40 minutes was sufficient . Not so and would recommend at least 2 hours or more. Needed to go through US immigration (very long lineups), then pick up bags, take all the way to another terminal, running because we did not have sufficient time. We made the flight because they held the door for us but luggage didn’t follow.

It was good but only meal served is very less. Meantime good to add rice and chicken in one of meal

I found the staff to not be very attentive at all. When paying for Business Class you expect a certain type of service and that was not found. They were almost rude even

Crew seemed annoyed by the fact we were there. Very unpleasant

Honestly didn’t like anything. Crew was in rush . Food was ok and there was no whiskey. Have to pay extra $ if you want to drink whiskey . They only provide wine and beer.

Compared to other international Airlines the infotainment system is need of overhaul. Doesn't have music it's got a limited selection of movies but I was impressed that an American airline was showing the documentary on John Farnham an Australian singer!

Travelling to a place near San Francisco?

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San Mateo
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Modesto
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