Traveling from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
A direct flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport takes on average 6 hours 10 minutes. The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which makes it 3 hours behind Philadelphia.
Every week, there are 43 flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If you'd like to jet off as soon as possible, opt for the 01:38 American Airlines flight. If you're keen to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from PHL to SFO is 23:59 with United Airlines.
Peak months like August or vacation periods such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and up four hours ahead of international flights is a wise move.
United Airlines has direct flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to check out the sights in San Francisco — and maybe even more of United States if your schedule allows.
If you'd like to break up your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, consider adding a stopover. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' and find a city that catches your eye. The top stopovers on the PHL - SFO route are:
Denver International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
You don't need your passport or a visa to travel within United States. You will need a valid form of identification though, like an ID card or driver's license. Make sure they're on your packing list once you've found cheap ticket from PHL to SFO.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is $65. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $130. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Book 9 months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from PHL to SFO.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If you need to fly during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Finding a cheap ticket from PHL to SFO is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Enter your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Handy information about Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Traveling from central Philadelphia to Philadelphia International Airport takes approximately 44 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometers in 17 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a convenient hotel near PHL? If you're catching an early flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're on a late flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near SFO:
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is approximately 21 kilometers from the center of San Francisco. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is around 20 minutes.
It takes around 47 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the busiest month for flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. To skip the crowds, head to San Francisco in February.
When reserving your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC to 22ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 6ºC and 16ºC. Look for cheap tickets from PHL to SFO sometime around then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
After booking your flights from PHL to SFO, you'll want to find a hotel in San Francisco. Make one of these options your base for exploring this exciting city:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street are among the things you can't miss in San Francisco.
Complete your San Francisco trip with hotels and a car rental
You've booked a cheap ticket to San Francisco International Airport — now it's time to find a great place to stay, and perhaps even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the best hotels and car rental deals in San Francisco.
