Flying from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Planning your flight from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) begins with finding the right airport to jet off from. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are your main options in Vancouver.
2 hours 25 minutes is the average journey time for a direct Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Vancouver and San Francisco (where San Francisco International Airport is located) share the UTC-7 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch once you land.
The busiest route is from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 65 direct services every week. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from YVR to SFO is the 6:55am Flair Airlines option. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the last departure is at 8:55pm with Air Canada.
Your flight from Vancouver to SFO won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow some extra breathing space. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) leave from this terminal.
At YVR, you'll find a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport, such as:
The majority of travellers choose to fly with United Airlines between YVR and SFO.
With 77.14% of its services arriving as planned, Air Canada is the highest-rated carrier for punctuality on this route.
Located around 14 kilometres from central Vancouver, YVR can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 35 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Vancouver International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
71.77% of flights that depart Vancouver International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
You can reach CXH from central Vancouver in about 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 15 minutes to cover the 2 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your Vancouver to SFO flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport:
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
From the centre of Vancouver, YXX is around 64 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour to get there by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Stay in bed a little longer and still make your Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport flight with plenty of time to spare. These hotels near Abbotsford Airport make departure day a breeze if you're jetting off early:
Flights that leave from YXX land at their destination within the scheduled time frame 67.97% of the time.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Have a late flight from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport? Don't let it rob you of real rest. Check in to one of these hotels near SFO and fast-forward to bedtime:
Explore without limits with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and venture far and wide through San Francisco and beyond.
For the best deal, book your ride around one week in advance of your Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is about 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. How long it'll take to get to the centre in a cab or car hire will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport is ر.ق. 288. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 360. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from Vancouver to SFO, book in advance. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when tickets are first released.
Cheap Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport tickets are easier to find when you have flexibility in your schedule. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare fares across every month and then fly out on the cheapest day.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on flight tickets from Vancouver to SFO.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
February is the quietest month for flights from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), while August is the most popular. Find the best time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 22ºC. Lock in your Vancouver to SFO flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees temperatures of between 6ºC and 16ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Vancouver 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. After booking your flight from Vancouver to San Francisco International Airport, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies - Alamo Square are just a couple of the major attractions to add to your San Francisco itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of San Francisco. Around 257 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco, Sacramento is another essential stop in the United States. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
