Flying from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the best departure point for your flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Explore the options for leaving from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) or Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), the city's main airports.
5 hours 5 minutes is the average duration of a direct Columbus to San Francisco International Airport flight.
San Francisco is three hours behind Columbus. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, which is in the UTC-7 timezone.
The most popular route is from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). You can choose from 5 direct services every week. United Airlines operates a 7:15am departure between CMH and SFO.
Your flight from Columbus to SFO won't wait if you're late, so be at the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
High season means busier airports, so aim to get there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for international journeys to keep to your schedule.
Airports in Columbus
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
Fly without interruptions from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Direct flights from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) operate from here.
Book your direct flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport with United Airlines. This well-known airline operates departures from CMH.
United Airlines is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from CMH to SFO.
United Airlines is the most punctual carrier on this route.
The journey from central Columbus to CMH takes about 1 hour 5 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels are the answer:
79.5% of flights that take off from John Glenn Columbus International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
CMH's address is 4600 International Gateway.
Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)
On public transport, you can travel from central Columbus to LCK in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The terminal is roughly 26 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 25 minutes.
It's holiday time, so why not book another night away at a hotel near Rickenbacker International Airport? Before your Columbus to SFO flight, drop your bags at Best Western Canal Winchester Inn - Columbus South East.
Rickenbacker International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 66.14%. This figure shows how frequently flights that leave from this airport land at their destination on time.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider booking a hotel near SFO if you're catching a late flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport. Choose one of these options and call it a night faster:
Grab a San Francisco International Airport rental car and discover San Francisco and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are top providers to choose from here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle around one week in advance of your Columbus to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is roughly 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. The time it takes to get there in a cab or car hire will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
It takes roughly 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport is 120 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 240 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Columbus to SFO. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
Cheap Columbus to San Francisco International Airport tickets are easier to find when your dates are flexible. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to compare fares across the month and then fly out on the cheapest day.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a lower fare pops up on plane tickets from Columbus to SFO.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
February is the quietest month for flights from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), while August is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Columbus to SFO plane ticket departing in September if you want to visit 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). Search for cheap tickets from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about San Francisco
After booking your flight from Columbus to San Francisco International Airport, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Francisco:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are must-do's during your San Francisco adventure.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen San Francisco, now it's time to explore more of the United States. Travel around 257 kilometres east to Fresno to check off its leading sights. From Forestiere Underground Gardens to Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Sacramento is another well-known destination in the United States and is around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco. No trip is complete without a visit to Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
