Flying from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Frankfurt is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) heading out from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN).
The average time for a direct Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport flight is 11 hours 30 minutes.
San Francisco is eight hours behind Frankfurt. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco, which operates on the UTC-7 timezone.
With 23 direct flights a week between the two airports, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the busiest route. Lufthansa operates the earliest flight at 10:05am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from FRA to SFO is with United Airlines at 5:30pm.
Your flight from Frankfurt to SFO won't wait if you're late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
In peak travel periods, expect longer wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international trips.
Airports in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) take off from this terminal.
You'll have your choice of airlines that offer direct flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport departing from FRA. Head off on your trip with any of these:
United Airlines is the airline with the highest passenger demand for flights from FRA to SFO.
Lufthansa is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
We make it easy to find cheap flights from Frankfurt to SFO with a stopover. To explore your options departing from Frankfurt Airport (FRA), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers between FRA and SFO include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Travelling from central Frankfurt to FRA takes around 35 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want an easy start to your break? Stay near Frankfurt Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
Of the flights that depart from Frankfurt Airport, 67.47% land on schedule at their destination.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Break up your flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between Frankfurt - Hahn Airport and SFO include:
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Frankfurt to HHN in about 2 hours 40 minutes. The terminal is roughly 121 kilometres away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Catching an early morning flight? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Frankfurt - Hahn Airport the day before your Frankfurt to SFO flight:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Frankfurt - Hahn Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 53.13%.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider booking a hotel near SFO if you have a late flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and find adventure across San Francisco and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your ride around one week in advance of your Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
The centre of San Francisco is roughly 18 kilometres from San Francisco International Airport. Travel times by cab or car hire will vary depending on traffic conditions and time of day, so do some research ahead of your trip.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of around 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, 306 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 456 €. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Frankfurt to SFO. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Affordable Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport tickets are easier to find when your dates are flexible. Use the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares across every month and then pick the cheapest day.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Frankfurt to SFO is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Think about your travel style when deciding your trip dates. February is the quietest month to go to San Francisco. August is when most people book flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which may be perfect if you're after more excitement.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Lock in your Frankfurt to SFO plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt to San Francisco International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Francisco:
There are loads of terrific things to do in San Francisco when you're in the mood to sightsee. Make your way to Golden Gate Bridge followed by Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored after you've experienced San Francisco. Around 257 kilometres away to the east, top sights here include Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Around 129 kilometres north-east of San Francisco, Sacramento is another favourite stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Old Sacramento Waterfront, Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
