Flying from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Sacramento's main airports, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or Stockton Airport (SCK). Check out your options for booking a flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) departing from either of these.
Take a direct Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport flight and you'll be traveling for around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Sacramento and San Francisco (where San Francisco International Airport is located) share the UTC-7 timezone. That means you won't have to adjust your watch on arrival.
The most popular route is from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 26 direct services every week. If you're not one for hanging around, the earliest flight from SMF to SFO is the 5:15am United Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 8:39pm with United Airlines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Sacramento to SFO. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
With more people on the move during peak seasons, it's wise to be at your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international trips will help you deal with longer queues.
Airports in Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) makes it easy to travel directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) depart from this terminal.
You can lock in a direct flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport with United Airlines. This popular airline operates services from SMF.
The majority of travelers choose to fly with United Airlines from SMF to SFO.
The carrier with the best on-time performance on this route is United Airlines. Its services arrive without delay 72.31% of the time.
Located around 19 kilometers from central Sacramento, SMF can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 25 minutes.
Get your flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport off to a stress-free start. Just a short drive from Sacramento International Airport, stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas and be well-rested for the trip ahead.
Sacramento International Airport has an excellent on-time performance, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from SMF touch down on schedule 82.15% of the time.
SMF's address is 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Stockton Airport (SCK)
You can arrive at SCK from central Sacramento in approximately 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 3 hours 20 minutes to travel the 88 kilometers or so.
The day before your Sacramento to SFO flight, why not enjoy an extra night away? Kick back at Holiday Inn Express Stockton Southeast or Hampton Inn by Hilton Stockton, which are close to Stockton Airport.
As far as flight punctuality goes, Stockton Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 55.67%.
The address for SCK is 5000 South Airport Way, Room 202.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider booking a hotel close to SFO if you're catching a late flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a San Francisco International Airport rental car and explore San Francisco and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular outlets to choose from here.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride around one week before your Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
The center of San Francisco is about 18 kilometers from San Francisco International Airport. Journey times by cab or car rental will vary depending on time of day, so do some research before you go.
It takes around 45 minutes if you're traveling on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Right now, $76 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $166. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book three months before traveling. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Sacramento to SFO.
August is when you're most likely to land a fantastic deal on a Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport ticket. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Stay on top of deals for plane tickets from Sacramento to SFO by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when prices go down.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to decide when to book your flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). August is the busiest month to visit San Francisco. If you like your getaways a little more chill, go in February.
Before locking in your Sacramento to SFO plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 22ºC (72ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about San Francisco
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in San Francisco right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Sacramento to San Francisco International Airport:
Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies - Alamo Square are just the start of the major attractions to add to your San Francisco itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of San Francisco. Around 257 kilometers away to the east, its top attractions include Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Around 129 kilometers north-east of San Francisco, Sacramento is another essential stop in the United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
