Travelling from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Beijing has two main airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Check out your options for booking a flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flying out of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
11 hours 55 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Beijing to San Francisco International Airport flight.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city operates on the UTC-7 timezone and is 15 hours behind Beijing.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route, with 9 direct services every week. You can travel from PEK to SFO on Air China's 1pm flight.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Beijing to SFO.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself even more 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 Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
You can take a direct flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) out of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
United Airlines is a leading airline that operates direct flights from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport leaving from PEK.
Most passengers prefer to book seats with United Airlines from PEK to SFO.
With 78.69% of its services landing on schedule, United Airlines is the most punctual carrier on this route.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing cheap flights from Beijing to SFO departing from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
PEK is about 31 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 40 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Beijing Capital International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to Beijing Capital International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 79.67% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport. Check out these connections between Daxing International Airport and SFO:
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
PKX is about 56 kilometres from central Beijing. It'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to reach the terminal when driving from the city centre.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your Beijing to SFO flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Daxing International Airport:
The majority of flights that depart Daxing International Airport reach their destination right on cue. It maintains a high on-time performance rate of 88.83%.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport. Book one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond San Francisco's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Beijing to San Francisco International Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
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 there in a car hire or cab depends on the time of day. Do a little research beforehand.
It takes roughly 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport is 350 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 656 €. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
To snap up cheap flights from Beijing to SFO, book your ticket one month before your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap Beijing to San Francisco International Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from Beijing to SFO by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). August is when most people travel to San Francisco. If crowds aren't your thing, go in February.
When booking your Beijing to SFO plane ticket, consider the type of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 22ºC (72ºF).
January has temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
Once you've booked your flight from Beijing to San Francisco International Airport, find a hotel that puts you in a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Francisco:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are attractions you won't want to skip in San Francisco.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of San Francisco. Around 257 kilometres away to the east, its top attractions include Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in the United States, head for Sacramento, roughly 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco. Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum are among the biggest draws.