DEN - SFO

$151 Find Cheap Flights from Denver to San Francisco – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Save 17% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$300
Typical prices: $280-$534
United Airlines
Wed 24/10Fri 26/10
DEN - SFO • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$151
Typical prices: $186-$387
United Airlines
Sun 30/9
DEN - SFO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, Southwest, and Frontier. Average duration is 2h 47m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 78% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 10 weeks in advance save around 44% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 22% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $209 (return)
Shortest trip • 5h 59m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Denver to San Francisco (DEN-SFO)

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

Recent return flight deals from Denver to San Francisco

Sat, 24 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
United Airlines Logo
21:05 - 22:51DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 46mdirect
United Airlines Logo
05:00 - 08:37SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 37mdirect
$300United Airlines
Thu, 19 Nov - Fri, 27 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:33 - 13:46DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
7h 13m1 stop Portland
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:39 - 12:51SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
5h 12m1 stop San Diego
$313Alaska Airlines
Thu, 15 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Southwest Logo
21:35 - 23:15DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 40mdirect
Southwest Logo
05:00 - 11:20SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
5h 20m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$314Southwest
Fri, 9 Oct - Mon, 12 Oct
United Airlines Logo
05:00 - 06:41DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 41mdirect
United Airlines Logo
19:43 - 23:23SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 40mdirect
$327United Airlines
Thu, 22 Oct - Thu, 29 Oct
Delta Logo
08:20 - 12:24DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
5h 04m1 stop Salt Lake City
Delta Logo
09:54 - 18:09SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
7h 15m1 stop Los Angeles
$328Delta
Tue, 6 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
Southwest Logo
16:00 - 21:05DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 05m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Los Angeles
Southwest Logo
15:50 - 23:00SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
6h 10m1 stop Los Angeles
$329Southwest
Sat, 10 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
United Airlines Logo
05:00 - 06:41DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 41mdirect
United Airlines Logo
18:32 - 22:09SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 37mdirect
$331United Airlines
Fri, 16 Oct - Wed, 28 Oct
Delta Logo
06:00 - 23:56DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
18h 56m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
12:05 - 18:09SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
5h 04m1 stop Los Angeles
$332Delta
Thu, 12 Nov - Sat, 14 Nov
Southwest Logo
15:30 - 20:25DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
5h 55m1 stop Burbank Bob Hope
Southwest Logo
06:40 - 15:50SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
8h 10m2 stops Los Angeles Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$335Southwest
Fri, 2 Oct - Sat, 3 Oct
Alaska Airlines Logo
17:41 - 08:49DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
16h 08m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
13:51 - 11:02SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
20h 11m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$336Alaska Airlines
Booking Insights

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

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

How much is a return flight from Denver to San Francisco?

Return flights from Denver to San Francisco start at $300. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $280 to $534. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $300 on United Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Denver to San Francisco?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Denver to San Francisco and is 7% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 22% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Denver to San Francisco?

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from Denver to San Francisco at $313 return.
  • July ($485) and June ($479) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 54% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Denver to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Denver to San Francisco are cheapest 10 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 44% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Denver to San Francisco flights

Low season

August

Cheapest flight

$151
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (5% more expensive on average)
Flights from Denver to San Francisco

When to book flights from Denver to San Francisco

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

Your Denver to San Francisco flight questions, answered

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

  • Are there onsite hotels at San Francisco International Airport?

    While there are no hotels directly onsite at San Francisco International Airport, travelers with flights from Denver to San Francisco will be happy to hear that there are a number of hotels within close proximity. The Westin San Francisco Airport, Aloft San Francisco Airport, and San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront are all within two miles of the airport and offer free transportation to and from the airport.

  • Can I fly from Denver to San Francisco non-stop?

    Frontier Airlines and United Airlines both offer direct flights from Denver to San Francisco. Other airlines like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines offer one-stop flights with layovers in cities like Salt Lake City for Delta Air Lines and Phoenix for American Airlines.

  • What facilities are available for travelers with pets at San Francisco International Airport and Denver International Airport?

    In San Francisco International Airport there are seven pet relief areas available in the airport - in the Arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3, plus there is an additional post-security pet relief area in each terminal, with Terminal 1 featuring yet another extra one. At Denver International Airport there are four pet relief areas: one in each core gate area for Gates A, B, and C, and then another one outside of Jeppesen Terminal.

  • Should I fly to San Francisco International Airport or Oakland International Airport?

    San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are both connected to BART, making them easily accessible for travelers who plan to use public transportation. However, San Francisco International Airport sits on the eastern side of the bay, while Oakland International Airport is on the western side of the bay. Thus, whether your final destination is on the eastern or western side is often the deciding factor when choosing which airport to fly into.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Denver to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Denver to San Francisco flights:

    • Frontier: offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Southwest: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Denver to San Francisco?

    3 airlines operate flights between Denver and San Francisco. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Southwest
    • Frontier

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Denver to San Francisco?

    Flights from Denver to San Francisco usually depart from Denver Intl (DEN) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Denver to San Francisco flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Frontier: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Southwest: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Denver to San Francisco:

    • Economy class
    • First Class

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Denver to San Francisco?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $209 return via Ontario (ONT), compared with $406 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $55–$138 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    The Airbus A321neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines and Frontier. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Denver to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from Denver to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) – 56% of one-stop connections
    • Salt Lake City (SLC) – 18% of one-stop connections
    • San Diego (SAN) – 13% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) – 11% of one-stop connections

    Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 24% on the Denver to San Francisco route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $374 return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $491, a difference of $118. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Denver to San Francisco?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Denver to San Francisco route, 28% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 25 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Denver to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Denver to San Francisco flights, with 44% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 19%, Evening flights for 19%, and Night flights for 18%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and 201 Folsom Street. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Denver to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 05:00 and lands at 07:47
    • Latest: departs at 23:55 and lands at 02:42.

    The flight takes about 2h 47m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 35% above the route average of $402. Book 10 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Denver to San Francisco?

    A direct flight from Denver to San Francisco takes 2h 47m, covering 2,497 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Denver to San Francisco?

    No. A passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Denver to San Francisco changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $300 to $2,996. That means the highest observed fare was about 10x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Denver to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from Denver to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $175, which is 34% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Denver to San Francisco flights?

    United Airlines is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Frontier has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Denver to San Francisco flights are:

    • United Airlines: 78% on time
    • Frontier: 74% on time
    • Southwest: 59% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 72% of the time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Denver to San Francisco?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Denver to San Francisco?

    Flying via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 59m, compared to 6h 23m via Los Angeles (LAX) and 6h 24m via San Diego (SAN).

  • What is the time difference between Denver and San Francisco?

    San Francisco is 1 hour behind Denver (Pacific Time vs Mountain Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $21 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Thrifty
    · Europcar
    · Dollar
    · Hertz
    · Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Denver to San Francisco flight?

    Return flights from Denver to San Francisco range from $280 to $534, with an average of $402 over the past 12 months. Anything below $280 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Denver to San Francisco flights?

    JetBlue is the only airline on the Denver to San Francisco route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking Denver to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $374 – about $118 less than Monday (24% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 10 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 44% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Denver to San Francisco trip for January. Fares historically average $313 return in that month – typically $172 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, United Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 78% of United Airlines flights from Denver to San Francisco arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 72%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours25 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Ontario Airport (ONT) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $209 return on this route – about $197 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • Do the children need to work off a bit of energy after their flight to San Francisco? Fortunately for travelers with children, there are three children’s play areas in San Francisco International Airport: two in Terminal 3 and one in Terminal 2.
  • Denver International Airport is conveniently linked to downtown Denver area by both public transport and local highways. The A Line commuter train is the best option for travelers relying on public transport as it offers quick access to downtown straight from the airport.
  • Driving a car to Denver International Airport? The airport’s parking is located onsite at the airport. Covered parking is located outside Jeppesen Terminal. The shuttle buses, every 10 minutes, are found at Jeppesen Terminal on Level 5’s Island 4.
  • It never hurts to stretch the legs or get a bit of a workout in before or after a flight. Luckily for travelers with flights from Denver to San Francisco, exercise is made easy, thanks to San Francisco International Airport’s yoga rooms. There are two yoga rooms in the airport, located in Terminals 2 and 3, and they are both open 24 hours a day.
  • Looking to take public transportation at San Francisco International Airport? BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) offers quick and direct access from San Francisco International Airport to all across the city. Terminal 3 at San Francisco International Airport hosts the airport’s BART station and reaching the rest of the airport is as easy as hopping on the airport’s complimentary AirTrain.

Prefer to fly direct from Denver Intl to San Francisco?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Denver Intl Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Denver Intl to San Francisco

Monday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Denver Intl

Monday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Tuesday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Wednesday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Thursday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Friday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Saturday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Sunday

Frontier,Southwest,United Airlines

Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Denver to San Francisco

Complete your trip to San Francisco with a hotel stay or car hire