Flying from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Get your trip planning underway by checking out the best departure point for your flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore the options for setting off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE), two of the city's main airports.
Jump on a direct Seattle to San Francisco International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for around 2 hours 15 minutes.
San Francisco (where San Francisco International Airport is located) and Seattle share the UTC-8 timezone. You can fly without needing to calculate any time difference.
The most popular route is from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 133 direct services every week. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from SEA to SFO is the 5am United Airlines service. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the last departure is at 9:50pm with Delta Air Lines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Seattle to SFO, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
July is a popular time to fly out. If you're heading away then or around a major holiday like July Fourth, be there even earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Go straight to your destination from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Nonstop flights from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are available from here.
You'll have your choice of airlines operating direct flights from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport leaving from SEA. Reserve your trip with one of these:
Alaska Airlines is the airline with the highest number of bookings for flights from SEA to SFO.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival rate on this route is United.
SEA is about 23 kms (14 miles) from central Seattle. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just what you're after:
80% of flights leaving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reach their destination on time. Given its impressive on-time stats, you're unlikely to be delayed when flying out of SEA.
Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE)
Consider beginning your travels from Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE). You can book a direct Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) plane ticket from this popular hub.
From PAE, direct flights from Seattle to SFO are offered by Alaska Airlines.
Alaska Airlines is the top choice for bookings on the PAE to SFO route.
Alaska Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying from Seattle Paine Field International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, with 65.09% of its services landing on schedule.
On public transport, you can travel from central Seattle to PAE in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kms (25 miles) away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 40 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your Seattle to SFO flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Seattle Paine Field International Airport:
Seattle Paine Field International Airport has a reputation for reliability and timeliness. 80% of flights taking off from here arrive right on target.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Have a late flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport? Don't let it stretch your travel day into tomorrow. Stay at one of these hotels near SFO and hit the lights earlier:
For the best deal, reserve your ride around one week ahead of your Seattle to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is around 21 kms (13 miles) from the centre of San Francisco. It takes around 25 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
It takes around 35 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
£32 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport. A return flight starts at £68. These fares can change depending on demand.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to walk away with cheap flights from Seattle to SFO if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your Seattle to San Francisco International Airport ticket.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a new deal shows up on plane tickets from Seattle to SFO.
Save on your flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport by using filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). July is when most people travel to San Francisco. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, head there in December.
Lock in a Seattle to SFO plane ticket departing in September if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Francisco to range from 12ºC to 24ºC.
January has temperatures of between 5ºC and 16ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
Start your San Francisco trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to San Francisco International Airport, check out our selection of hotels including:
You'll find plenty of exciting things to do in San Francisco when you're in the mood to sightsee. Start exploring at Golden Gate Bridge followed by Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
San Francisco is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be explored. About 257 kms (160 miles) east of San Francisco, a trip to Fresno will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
If there's time to check out another major destination in the United States, head for Sacramento, roughly 129 kms (80 miles) northeast of San Francisco. California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Crocker Art Museum are among its highlights.