Flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is three hours behind Atlanta.
Flights from ATL to SFO start from 07:15 — the earliest with United Airlines. The last departure is at 22:45 with Delta Air Lines. Overall, you can take your pick of 92 weekly Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights.
To ensure you get on your ATL to SFO flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
You'll find a range of airlines offering direct flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. When you're ready to start your San Francisco holiday, let one of these carriers fly you to this must-see corner of United States:
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Delta Air Lines on this route.
The most punctual carrier operating ATL to SFO flights is United Airlines. Its services land without delay 73.12% of the time.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers between ATL and SFO include:
Denver International Airport
Dallas Love Field Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight is 57 €. A return plane ticket is currently 121 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Book ten months before travelling. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from ATL to SFO.
The cheapest month for flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have a flexible schedule.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have gone down when you create a Price Alert. We'll send you an update the moment a special offer becomes available on cheap flights from ATL to SFO.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
ATL's address is 6000 N Terminal Parkway.
76.64% of flights departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is about 18 kilometres from central Atlanta. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 10 minutes when using public transport.
Looking for a handy hotel close to ATL? If you've booked an early flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're arriving on a late Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of being close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting shortly after at one of these options near SFO:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from San Francisco International Airport about one week ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
From San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco is approximately 21 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It takes around 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the busiest month for flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. To avoid the crowds, go to San Francisco in February.
Lock in your flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to San Francisco International Airport for September if you want to go to San Francisco during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from ATL to SFO in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF) on average.
Explore more of United States
You've done San Francisco, now it's time to discover more of United States. Journey about 64 kilometres south-east to San Jose to tick off its must-visit sights. From Winchester Mystery House to Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If there's time to check out another side of United States, consider Fresno, roughly 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Shinzen Japanese Garden are among its highlights.