Travelling from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Kick off your journey at one of Philadelphia's main airports, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). Check out your options for booking a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) leaving from either of these.
Take off on a direct Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 6 hours 15 minutes.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city follows the UTC-7 timezone and is three hours behind Philadelphia.
The most popular route is from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with 35 direct weekly services. If you want to be on your way right away, the earliest flight from PHL to SFO is the 6am United Airlines option. If a later flight fits your day better, the final departure is at 9pm with American Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Get to the airport on time to board your flight from Philadelphia to SFO.
With more travellers during high season, it's smart to get to your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will help you deal with longer queues.
Airports in Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
You can take a direct flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
American Airlines is a popular carrier that operates direct flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport jetting out of PHL.
The preferred airline for passengers flying between PHL and SFO is American Airlines.
The top on-time carrier on this route is American Airlines. Its services arrive without delay 72.67% of the time.
Located around 19 kilometres from central Philadelphia, PHL can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Philadelphia International Airport:
78.93% of flights taking off from Philadelphia International Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
PHL's address is 8500 Essington Ave.
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN)
You can get to TTN from the centre of Philadelphia in approximately 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to travel the 56 kilometres or so.
Get your holiday started early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Philadelphia to SFO flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Trenton-Mercer Airport:
Trenton-Mercer Airport has a track record for punctuality. 82.45% of flights leaving here keep to their planned arrival schedule.
The address for TTN is Scotch Road, Terminal Building.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider booking a hotel near SFO if you're catching a late flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport. Pick one of these options and be in bed in no time flat:
Grab a San Francisco International Airport rental car and explore San Francisco and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are top outlets to choose from here.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle around one week ahead of your Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to the centre of San Francisco is about 18 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, 92 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 151 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Philadelphia to SFO. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport tickets across each month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Philadelphia to SFO.
Filters make it easier to scoop up a deal on your flight from Philadelphia 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 zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the busiest month for flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Visit San Francisco in February if you'd rather avoid peak season.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Book your Philadelphia to SFO plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport in January when temperatures are between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about San Francisco
Once you've booked your flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Francisco:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are essential stops on your San Francisco itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Fresno is just one of the many places 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 there's time to check out another great 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 the start of reasons to visit.