Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hangzhou Airport (HGH): what you need to know
Hangzhou is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
Leave plenty of time to make your SFO to HGH flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
If you want to break up your flight, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Hangzhou Airport. Here are the top stopovers between SFO and HGH:
Beijing Capital Airport
Hong Kong Intl Airport
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, 78% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
To get to San Francisco International Airport from central San Francisco, it'll take about 25 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 21 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
You can expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes when using public transport.
Get your journey off to a stress-free start by staying near SFO. Whether you're catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Hangzhou Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Arriving at Hangzhou Airport (HGH)
Consider booking a hotel close to HGH if you're catching a late San Francisco International Airport to Hangzhou Airport flight. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Go beyond Hangzhou and check out places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Hangzhou Airport rental car from Hertz.
Book your vehicle from Hangzhou Airport at least a few weeks before your departure date to get the best possible rate. If you're planning to travel during peak season, you may want to book even earlier.
Getting from Hangzhou Airport (HGH) to central Hangzhou
You'll find HGH at 14th Rd.
Hangzhou Airport to central Hangzhou has a drive time of around 35 minutes. It's approximately 32 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes about 50 minutes.
When to fly to Hangzhou Airport (HGH)
The quietest month for a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Hangzhou Airport is March, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Hangzhou based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
The warmest month in Hangzhou is August, with the temperature ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 35ºC (95ºF). Lock in your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Hangzhou Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to HGH in January. Temperatures average between -3ºC (27ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF) then.
Explore more of China
Shanghai is just one of the many cities in China waiting to be discovered after you've seen Hangzhou. Around 161 kilometres away to the north-east, check out popular attractions including Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Tower and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue.
If you're eager to discover another corner of China, head for Nanjing, roughly 241 kilometres north-west of Hangzhou. Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall are among the biggest draws.
