SFO - DEN

$139 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Denver – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$255
Typical prices: $304-$565
United Airlines
Mon 3/12Fri 7/12
SFO - DEN • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$139
Typical prices: $191-$393
Southwest
Sun 18/11
SFO - DEN • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, Southwest, and Frontier. Average duration is 2h 38m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 87% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 8 weeks in advance save around 42% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 28% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $345 (return)
Shortest trip • 5h 43m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Denver!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

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

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

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Denver

Thu, 3 Dec - Mon, 7 Dec
Southwest Logo
08:00 - 11:30SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 30mdirect
Southwest Logo
12:15 - 14:00DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 45mdirect
$255Southwest
16 hours ago
Thu, 3 Dec - Mon, 7 Dec
Southwest Logo
07:00 - 12:30SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
4h 30m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
20:25 - 22:15DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 50mdirect
$269Southwest
1 day ago
Fri, 4 Dec - Mon, 7 Dec
Southwest Logo
10:55 - 14:30SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
17:35 - 19:20DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 45mdirect
$282Southwest
9 hours ago
Thu, 3 Dec - Mon, 7 Dec
Delta Logo
13:29 - 20:32SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
6h 03m1 stop Salt Lake City
Delta Logo
12:52 - 19:42DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
7h 50m1 stop Los Angeles
$283Delta
12 hours ago
Wed, 13 Jan - Wed, 13 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:43 - 12:47SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
5h 04m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
14:55 - 20:03DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 08m1 stop Portland
$286Alaska Airlines
3+ days ago
Thu, 26 Nov - Thu, 3 Dec
Southwest Logo
06:05 - 13:35SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
6h 30m1 stop San Diego
Southwest Logo
15:45 - 21:35DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 50m2 stops Tucson San Diego
$290Southwest
3 hours ago
Wed, 11 Nov - Fri, 13 Nov
United Airlines Logo
14:24 - 18:00SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 36mdirect
United Airlines Logo
19:20 - 21:10DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 50mdirect
$295United Airlines
3+ days ago
Thu, 10 Dec - Sun, 13 Dec
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:40 - 14:24SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
5h 44m1 stop Portland
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:40 - 12:57DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 17m1 stop Portland
$296Alaska Airlines
3 hours ago
Thu, 3 Dec - Mon, 7 Dec
Southwest Logo
13:20 - 16:55SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
09:20 - 11:10DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 50mdirect
$297Southwest
3+ days ago
Tue, 12 Jan - Wed, 27 Jan
United Airlines Logo
06:15 - 09:55SFO  San Francisco-DEN Denver Intl
2h 40mdirect
United Airlines Logo
09:35 - 11:30DEN  Denver Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 55mdirect
$309United Airlines
1 day ago
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Return flights from San Francisco to Denver typically range from $304 to $565. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $255 on United Airlines.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Denver. It's 12% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 16% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Denver at $302 return.
•June ($519) and July ($495) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 72% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Denver the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Denver are cheapest 8 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 42% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Francisco to Denver flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$139
Beat the crowds with an average 10% drop in travellers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 18% increase in travellers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Denver

When to book flights from San Francisco to Denver

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

Your San Francisco to Denver flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 05:00 and lands at 07:38
    • Latest: departs at 22:35 and lands at 01:13.

    The flight takes about 2h 38m.

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

    Only Economy class is available on flights from San Francisco to Denver.

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

    A direct flight from San Francisco to Denver takes 2h 38m, covering 2,497 km.

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

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

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

    Return flights from San Francisco to Denver range from $304 to $565, with an average of $421 over the past 12 months. Anything below $304 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 31% above the $421 route average. Book 8 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $345 return via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA), compared with $422 for direct.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from San Francisco to Denver?

    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 San Francisco to Denver flights are:

    • United Airlines: 87% on time
    • Frontier: 79% on time
    • Southwest: 66% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 81% of the time.

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

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $57–$142 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 San Francisco to Denver?

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

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Denver flights, with 54% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 27%, Evening flights for 13%, and Night flights for 6%.

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

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

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Denver are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $158, which is 43% below the typical average for this route.

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

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

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San Francisco to Denver?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

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

    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 San Francisco to Denver route, 19% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 2h 33m.

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

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

    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) – 57% of one-stop connections
    • Salt Lake City (SLC) – 14% of one-stop connections
    • San Diego (SAN) – 12% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) – 9% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 25% on flights from San Francisco to Denver. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $373 return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $491, a difference of $118.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Denver?

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

    • United Airlines
    • Southwest
    • Frontier

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

    Flying via Portland (PDX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 43m, compared to 6h 04m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 6h 45m via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS).

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

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Denver?

    Ball Arena is one of the most viewed places in Denver on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to Denver 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 include bags at no extra cost on San Francisco to Denver 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

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

  • How do I get from Denver Airport to downtown Denver?

    The RTD bus service connects Denver Airport with the city and departs every 15m from the airport. The bus stop is located at the DEN Transit Center at the south end of Jeppesen Terminal. There is also an information counter in the arrivals hall if you have any questions about routes, fares, or directions. Day passes can be purchased for approximately $9 in cash (no change given) at the bus driver or with credit cards at the ticket machines.

  • Where can I eat at Denver airport after I’ve landed?

    If you land at Jeppesen Terminal and fancy authentic American cuisine, opt for the Boulder Beer Tap House at level 5 on the west side of the terminal. Here you can consume scrumptious snacks, warm dishes, and craft beer. For Mexican food, the Cantina Grill at level 6 is also a good option to get something hearty to eat.

  • Where can I find the car rental center at Denver airport?

    Explore the city and its surroundings conveniently with your own four wheels and rent a car directly from one of the companies located at the airport. The airport has its own car rental center which can be reached with a courtesy shuttle departing from Jeppesen Terminal at level 5, island 4. Companies operating at the airport include Avis, Thrifty, and Enterprise, which are at your service 24/7.

  • Is there a hotel at Denver airport?

    The Westin Denver International Airport Hotel is just a few steps from the terminal building and provides transit flyers, late arrivals, or early departing passengers with a nearby bed. Apart from its over 500 rooms, the hotel boasts a conference center, pool, and gym, as well as various restaurants.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Denver 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 and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $373, about $118 less than Monday fares (24% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 8 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 42% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Denver trip for February. Fares historically average $302 return in that month – typically $218 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with United Airlines. Over the past three months, 87% of United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Denver arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 81%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 33m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Seattle/Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $345 return on this route – about $77 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Denver Intl Airport.

    • The Westin Denver International Airport
  • If you’d like to fly cheap and nonstop from San Francisco to the Denver International Airport (DEN), you can book with Frontier Airlines. This low-cost airline offers regular flights from San Francisco to Denver and allows you to save some money on your journey for your time away.
  • For anyone who has extra time on their hands before their departure from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and who are interested in everything connected to airports and airplanes, a visit at the Aviation Museum & Library is right up the sleeve. You can find it in the main hall of the international terminal building and get access between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm.
  • Let your children use up their energy before boarding your flight from San Francisco to Denver and check out the Kids’ Spots at Terminal 3, Area F, and Area E. Tubes, toys, and interactive activities keep the little ones entertained until it is time to board.
  • Roaming through the San Francisco airport allows you to spot all the exhibited art from regional artists. The SFO Museum and Art Collection welcome and see off travelers in style with various art installations, pictures, and sculptures.
  • Pigs and dogs are usually not a common sight at airports, but at San Francisco airport they belong to the crew. The Wag Brigade consists of various specially trained dogs and a pig who give travelers a joyful (and sometimes wet) welcome and goodbye. They can be detected by their "Pet Me" vests and wagging tails while wandering through the terminals.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Denver Intl?

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

Direct departures

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

Direct returns

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

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Denver

Complete your trip to Denver with a hotel stay or car hire