Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Fly to San Francisco, the beautiful Californian city that boasts attractions like the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, the eerie Alcatraz, and the historic Haight-Ashbury Street.

Airlines flying this route

There are regular, direct flights to San Francisco from Los Angeles, and these are operated by United, Southwest Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America.

Your Departure Airport

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Departing from: Terminals 2-8

LAX is one of the USA’s largest transport hubs and is very well equipped. There are ATMs, free WiFi, as well as banking services you can utilise. You will be able to while away your waiting time by browsing the shops, which range from newsagents, book retailers and gifts shops.  Or, if you find yourself hungry before you board, there are lots of restaurants, cafes and bars throughout the airport where you can grab something to eat.

Your Destination Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Arriving in: Terminals 1-3

SFO is an excellent airport with a good deal of facilities that passengers can access. You will find cash machines, a full service bank, a medical centre, a hair salon, spas and even an aquarium! You can log onto the free WiFi offered throughout the airport, and hire mobile phones should you need them.

If you’re peckish when you arrive there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars you can dine in. There’s also a comprehensive list of retail shops that run from bookshops, newsagents, gift stores as well as fashion retailers, perfect if you need to pick up a gift on your way out.

Transport

Taxis can be picked up just outside the arrivals area of all the terminals, if there are none waiting than you can use the courtesy phone within the airport, or speak to the taxi coordinator who will be waiting outside. The journey to downtown San Francisco costs about 45-50USD ($63-77). There are also shuttles that offer door-to-door services for about 16-18USD ($22-25).

If that is too expensive, you can take the SamTrans buses that run 24 hours from the airport into South San Francisco, with prices starting at 2USD ($2.80). However, perhaps the most convenient method of mass transit is the BART rail system that operates an express service into central San Francisco. This journey only takes 30 minutes and costs 8.65USD ($12.15) one-way.

If you’d prefer to rent a car, there is a rental car centre off-site, where you will find ten car hire companies, all from major brands like Budget, Alamo and Enterprise. To get there you must take the inter-terminal AirTrain—the Blue Line.

Do you need a form of identification?

It is required for passengers flying domestically to carry some identification. If you do not have a driver’s license local to the U.S.A., then make sure you bring your passport.

How long should you leave to get to the airport?

For a domestic journey, you must check in 45-60 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Things you need to know

Time difference:  None.

Weather:  The best time to visit San Francisco is usually in the fall, from September to November, when the weather is warm and generally dry, and averages in the early 20s. Spring is also a lovely time to visit, but it tends to be a bit colder, and doesn’t usually break past 18°C.  Summers are crowded, and surprisingly cool and foggy, and winters can be very rainy, so if you aren’t a fan of wet, cool weather, these seasons are best avoided.

San Francisco is definitely the more expensive city, so be sure to factor that into your budget when you travel. If you decide to dine in the centre of town, a three-course meal for two typically costs 75USD ($105) at a mid-range restaurant.

Please note all information is current as of February 2016.