Flying from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Chengdu. Explore your options departing from Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) when planning your flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
San Francisco is 15 hours behind Chengdu. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, which runs on the UTC-7 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from Chengdu to SFO. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
In peak travel periods, allow for longer queues and get there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
The distance from central Chengdu to TFU is around 72 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 1 hour 15 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Searching for a comfortable hotel close to Tianfu International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
86.59% of flights departing from Tianfu International Airport arrive at their destination on time. With its impressive on-time stats, disruptions are unlikely when setting off from TFU.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
You can book a direct Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) plane ticket out of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). Work out whether departing from CTU makes the most sense for you.
From CTU, direct flights from Chengdu to SFO can be booked with United Airlines.
United Airlines is the most popular choice for travellers flying from CTU to SFO.
Maximise your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport. Check out these connections between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and SFO:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
Depending on traffic conditions, you can drive to CTU from the centre of Chengdu in around 30 minutes. The airport is approximately 21 kilometres away.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before your Chengdu to SFO flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:
Flights from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 89.89% of them arriving on schedule.
CTU is located at Airport Expressway Entrance.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider staying in a hotel near SFO if you're catching a late flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a San Francisco International Airport rental car and explore San Francisco and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are well-known companies to choose from here.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle around one week ahead of your Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. The time it takes to get to the centre in a car hire or cab will depend on the time of day. Do a little research beforehand.
It takes around 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport is 332 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 550 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Chengdu to SFO. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you have some flexibility with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport ticket.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Chengdu to SFO is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a price drop.
Discover the best deal on a flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to work out when to book your flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). August is the busiest month to visit San Francisco. If you like your getaways a little more chill, go in February.
Lock in a Chengdu to SFO plane ticket departing in September if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Francisco to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 22ºC (72ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about San Francisco
Start your San Francisco trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Chengdu to San Francisco International Airport, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Your San Francisco visit wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Big-name attractions that are worth your time include Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
San Francisco has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of the United States just waiting to be explored. About 257 kilometres east of San Francisco, a trip to Fresno will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Sacramento is another well-known destination in the United States and is around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco. No journey is complete without seeing Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
