Los Angeles To San Francisco
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Route Overview: Los Angeles ✈ San Francisco
Flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco is one of the busiest short-haul routes within California. Regardless of whether you're traveling to the Bay Area for business, tourism, or even a quick getaway, Travofinder makes it easy for you to book what you want for your travels from LAX at the best possible fare.
Fun Facts:
- Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Mostly Preferred Departure Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (You could also use other nearby airports, if it helps, like Burbank or Long Beach.)
- Mostly Preferred Arrival Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (You could also use other nearby airports, like Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC).)
- Airlines: Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
Best time to fly between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Here are some ways to get the best airfare on your flight experience to SFO:
- Book Early: Purchase your ticket 2–3 weeks out for the best fare.
- Cheapest Months: January, February, and September.
- Peak Travel Season: June - August (summer travel season).
- Best Travel Days: Tuesday through Thursday for the best pricing, approximately.
Book Cheap Flight Tickets from Los Angeles to San Francisco Flights
Need to travel out of L.A. and not spend much? The following is how you can easily get cheap airfares:
- Compare Fare Calendar: Select the Fare calendar to compare the prices of different days and choose the lowest-price day to fly.
- Book Early: Airfares increase as you approach the departure date—book 2-4 weeks ahead.
- Be Flexible: Select low-traffic periods or night flights to get cheaper fares.
- Turn on Fare Alerts: Receive real-time alerts when fares on your favorite route reduce.
- Compare Airlines: Compare low-cost and premium airlines to get the comfort and savings you need.
- Check Nearby Airport: Sometimes the flights to Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) are less expensive than the flights to San Francisco (SFO).
Major Airlines Flying From/To This Route (One-Way Prices)
Take a look at fares and the services by different airlines traveling from L.A. to SFO for a stress-free and budget travel experience!
- Frontier Airlines: Frontier Airlines offers some of the cheapest airfare on this route, with tickets beginning at $29 for special deals. This is truly a budget option—note that you will need to pay additional fees for carry-on bags, checked bags, and selecting your seat. It's perfect for travelers who want to minimize costs and travel with as little as possible.
- United Airlines: Generally, United's fare starts at or around $59 and up. Passengers can expect the ability to carry on a bag for free, along with complimentary snacks on select flights. WiFi is available on most aircraft (at a fee). Although United is on the higher side for fares, especially for last-minute fares, it has frequent connections and reliable scheduling between LA and SFO.
- Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines also competes with fares starting at $59, and offers dependable service along with the ability to earn rewards as part of its Mileage Plan program. Also, Alaska has the typical carry-on policy that travelers are used to in economy class. In general, frequent business and leisure travelers prefer Alaska because of the smooth and comfortable travel.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta typically will start its one-way fare at $59, and includes snacks and beverages on many of its flights. WiFi is offered on most flights (again, sometimes for a very small fee). Delta is considered reliable for its on-time status with a great crew.
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest is a traveler's favorite because of its flexibility—fares average about $59. Every ticket includes two free checked bags, and there are no change fees (the fare difference does apply). Families or anyone who tends to pack extra and does not want to pay anything extra will enjoy this airline.
- American Airlines: American Airlines fares also begin around $59 for economy seats. The airline offers frequent flyer rewards, complimentary carry-on bags, and upgrades to your seat for additional comfort. Additional bags and other preferred seating could be available depending on the fare type.
(Prices are based on Google Flights; you may find cheaper prices from a third party.)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The typical duration of a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) is close to 1 hour and 15 minutes, although this time can change slightly due to weather and airport traffic conditions.
Several different airlines provide nonstop flights each day, including United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
The distance from LA to SFO is roughly 340 to 380 miles, depending on the flight route.
Each airline has different rules about carry-ons, depending on the airline and fare type. Most fares on the major carriers (Delta, Alaska, United, and American) include a free carry-on with your fare. On some routes, lower-cost airlines (such as Frontier) charge you for a carry-on or checked bag.
Yes. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes are located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for passengers flying to San Francisco. PreCheck allows travelers who meet eligibility standards to experience a quicker, easier airport security screening.
Nowadays, most airlines have flexible or no change fee policies, although you could be liable for the fare difference if the fare increases. Fully refundable tickets exist but will likely be expensive.
If you are seeking a budget fare, Frontier Airlines (when it is flying) and Southwest Airlines usually have the lowest fare. Although United, Alaska, Delta, and American Airlines charge slightly more and offer additional comfort, they offer more frequent service and a loyalty program.
There are nonstop flights all day, and they are the norm for this route. Connecting flights do exist, but connecting flights are generally impractical for such a short flight. If you do connect, it would generally be through Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), or Seattle (SEA), which would add much time to the total travel time.
Fares change over time. The cheapest fare will often be found midweek (T–TH) and during the months of January, February, and September, which are less-traveled months. Fares increase in the summertime, during the holidays, and at events taking place in San Francisco.
Absolutely! One-way airfares between LAX and SFO are very common and can sometimes be very competitive with round-trip fares. If you can book 2-3 weeks out and choose to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you are usually going to find the best prices.
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