SFO - NYC

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Cheap Flights from San Francisco to New York (SFO-NYC)

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

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to New York

Mon, 9 Nov - Tue, 10 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
23:00 - 07:39SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 39mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
09:30 - 13:04JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 34mdirect
$460Alaska Airlines
Thu, 15 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Frontier Logo
22:14 - 16:14SFO  San Francisco-LGA New York LaGuardia
15h 00m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
06:10 - 20:38LGA  New York LaGuardia-SFO San Francisco
17h 28m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Los Angeles Los Angeles
$464Frontier
Sat, 31 Oct - Sat, 7 Nov
JetBlue Logo
06:00 - 17:30SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
8h 30m1 stop Boston Logan Intl
JetBlue Logo
07:32 - 11:08JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 36mdirect
$467JetBlue
Fri, 30 Oct - Sat, 7 Nov
JetBlue Logo
11:30 - 23:52SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
9h 22m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue Logo
07:32 - 11:08JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 36mdirect
$467JetBlue
Sun, 1 Nov - Sat, 7 Nov
Delta Logo
22:55 - 07:21SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 26mdirect
Delta Logo
09:00 - 12:31JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 31mdirect
$467Delta
Sun, 1 Nov - Fri, 6 Nov
Delta Logo
22:55 - 07:21SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 26mdirect
Delta Logo
21:40 - 01:15JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 35mdirect
$467Delta
Mon, 26 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Delta Logo
16:15 - 00:35SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 20mdirect
Delta Logo
07:00 - 10:29JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 29mdirect
$467Delta
Wed, 28 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Delta Logo
16:15 - 00:35SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 20mdirect
Delta Logo
07:00 - 10:29JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 29mdirect
$467Delta
Sun, 1 Nov - Wed, 4 Nov
Delta Logo
22:55 - 07:21SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 26mdirect
Delta Logo
07:00 - 10:29JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 29mdirect
$467Delta
Tue, 27 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Delta Logo
16:15 - 00:35SFO  San Francisco-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
5h 20mdirect
Delta Logo
21:40 - 01:15JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-SFO San Francisco
6h 35mdirect
$467Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to New York flights

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

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to New York?

Return flights from San Francisco to New York start at $460. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $439 to $794. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $460 on Alaska Airlines.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to New York flight route?

San Francisco (SFO) to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the cheapest San Francisco to New York route, averaging $483 return. Other San Francisco to New York routes average $590, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to New York and is 4% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 14% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to New York?

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to New York at $424 return.
  • June ($787) and July ($743) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 85% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Francisco to New York the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to New York are cheapest 22 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 43% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Francisco to New York flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$260
Best time to beat the crowds (27% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flights from San Francisco to Newark Airport

When to book flights from San Francisco to New York

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

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

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from San Francisco to New York 
BelindaFlew with Alaska Airlines-July 2026
I prefer Oakland over SFO. I liked the self-check for my suitcase for the bag drop . Getting through security went smoothly. It would have been really nice to know my boarding time was 1/2 hour later than on my app. I only found out that boarding was 1/2 hour late after rushing to the gate. I would have had time to go to my airport club had I known. Bag pick up at JFK was fast once I got to baggage claim, that was great
Verified travelerFlew with JetBlue-Aug 2026
My most frequent trip is between JFK and SFO on Jet Blue. Food options at SFO are amazing, but expensive. Sadly, getting through security at JFK is a hassle and takes an incredibly long time. Give yourself plenty of time. Also, when I arrived at JFK around midnight, there was no place to get food and I was disappointed to learn that I needed to take the air train all the way out to Howard Beach to get an Uber.
MFlew with Alaska Airlines-Apr 2026
Newark terminal B is probably the worst in the country. Allow yourself plenty of time a patience
ElenaFlew with United Airlines-June 2025
Construction in the terminal so allow for extra time in SFO. Very easy finding luggage and getting outside at Newark. Also, this time, took the Express Bus into Manhattan - $25 is a good price, though the bus arrived 20 minutes after the scheduled time.
MaryannFlew with United Airlines-Mar 2025
Bring your own food with you. Airport and airline food is expensive and you WILL need something to eat on such a long flight.
RobertFlew with Alaska Airlines-June 2024
Bring some food on board for the flight

Your San Francisco to New York flight questions, answered

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

  • Can I take an Uber from downtown to San Francisco Airport?

    In general, a ride on Uber won’t cost you too much, but traffic conditions can affect the price. You can meet your driver on level 5 of the domestic terminal garage or curbside on the departures level of the international terminal.

  • What is the most convenient way to get from New York LaGuardia to Manhattan?

    By far the most convenient way is to travel by car service, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a large party. Your driver will be waiting for you at baggage claim and will happily transport your party and all the luggage to the car.

  • What is the most cost-effective way to get from New York John F. Kennedy Intl. to Manhattan?

    The combination of the AirTrain and the NYC subway system is the most cost-effective way to make the trip. The AirTrain will cost a few dollars, and the journey on the subway will cost even less; but be forewarned that this may be a difficult journey if you have several bags to carry.

  • If money is no object, what is the most luxurious way to travel from John F. Kennedy Intl. to Manhattan?

    If you’re really looking to splurge, US Helicopter flies to and from John F. Kennedy Intl. from three locations in Manhattan at the Wall Street Heliport: E. 34th Street and W. 30th Street. The cost for this service is $159 per person but please note you will be limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per passenger.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to New York flights:

    • JetBlue: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Delta: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; 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 San Francisco to New York?

    5 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and New York. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Delta
    • JetBlue
    • American Airlines
    • Alaska Airlines

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

    Flights from San Francisco to New York usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and may arrive at several airports in New York area, including Newark (EWR), New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) and New York LaGuardia (LGA).

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

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

    • JetBlue: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • United Airlines: 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 San Francisco to New York?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to New York:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

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

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $414 return via Lambert-St Louis (STL), compared with $604 for direct.

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

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $48–$139 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – 31% of one-stop connections
    • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – 17% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) – 9% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) – 8% of one-stop connections

    Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 17% on the San Francisco to New York route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $569 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $679, a difference of $109. 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 San Francisco to New York?

    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 New York route, 14% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 59 minutes.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to New York flights, with 41% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 35%, Night flights for 21%, and Evening flights for 3%.

  • What popular places can I visit in New York?

    Some of the most popular sights in New York are Times Square, New York City Center, and New York Stock Exchange. These are among the most viewed places in New York on KAYAK.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 00:40 and lands at 06:16
    • Latest: departs at 23:59 and lands at 05:35.

    The flight takes about 5h 36m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 34% above the route average of $593. Book 22 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from San Francisco to New York?

    A direct flight from San Francisco to New York takes 5h 36m, covering 6,645 km.

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

    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 San Francisco to New York 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 $460 to $4,520. That means the highest observed fare was about 10x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to New York are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $262, which is 33% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Alaska Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on San Francisco to New York flights?

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

    • Alaska Airlines: 88% on time
    • American Airlines: 86% on time
    • Delta: 86% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 86% of the time.

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

    Morning 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 San Francisco to New York?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 7h 35m, compared to 8h 06m via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and 8h 12m via Salt Lake City (SLC).

  • What is the time difference between San Francisco and New York?

    New York is 3 hours ahead of San Francisco (Eastern Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car hire options are available in New York?

    Since New York is served by multiple airports, car hire options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport (JFK) – daily rates from around $29:

    · Ace
    · Budget
    · Hertz
    · Dollar
    · Avis

    Near New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – daily rates from around $22:

    · Ace
    · Budget
    · Hertz
    · Dollar
    · Avis

    Near Newark Airport (EWR) – daily rates from around $39:

    · Ace
    · Budget
    · Alamo
    · Dollar
    · Hertz

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

    Return flights from San Francisco to New York range from $439 to $794, with an average of $593 over the past 12 months. Anything below $439 counts as a good deal.

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

    Four airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on San Francisco to New York flights:

    • • JetBlue
    • • Alaska Airlines
    • • Delta
    • • American Airlines

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty programme, while others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to New York 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 Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $569 – about $109 less than Sunday (16% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 22 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 43% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to New York trip for January. Fares historically average $424 return in that month – typically $363 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Alaska Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 88% of Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco to New York arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 86%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours59 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 Lambert-St Louis Airport (STL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $414 return on this route – about $190 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 Newark Airport.
    - Hampton Inn by Hilton Newark Airport
    - DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Airport
    - SpringHill Suites by Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport
  • When passengers on flights from San Francisco to New York want to head to the airport in style, they often opt for a car service. San Francisco's Pleasant Limo has a wide variety of vehicles to meet your party's needs. The vehicles are clean and well maintained, the drivers are accommodating and will even highlighting points of interest along the route, plus your entire trip can be booked online.
  • If you are dropping off a rental car at San Francisco airport before your flight, the process could not be more straightforward. You drive to the Rental Car Center that is just southwest of the airport on highway 101 and, after dropping off your car, you can take the AirTrain Blue Line to all of the terminal buildings. The AirTrain is fully automated and runs 24 hours per day.
  • Passengers that are looking for something to eat before long flights from San Francisco to New York have a wealth of options at San Francisco Airport. The airport offers sushi at Tomokazu, classic burgers at the Burger Joint, top-flight wine, beer, and spirits at SF Uncork'd, and authentic Southwestern and Mexican fare at Urban Tortilla.
  • If you are planning on using frequent flyer points on flights from San Francisco to New York, remember that two of the biggest operators at San Francisco Airport, United, and American Airlines, reward travel based on zones. This means that the amount of points you will get will remain the same even if you cannot fly non-stop from your departure point to your destination.
  • If you have some time to kill before your flight, stop in at InMotion Entertainment in the International Terminal Hall at San Francisco Airport. InMotion has every everything a cross-country traveler would need like headphones, electronics, travel gear, and a whole host of travel accessories.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to New York?

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

Direct departures

San Francisco to New York

Monday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

New York to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, +2 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to New York

Complete your trip to New York with a hotel stay or car hire