Flying from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 12 hours.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is eight hours behind Zurich.
Every week, there are 16 Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights. To jet off early, jump on the 13:15 SWISS flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before flying, the last flight is at 13:35 with United Airlines.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your ZRH to SFO flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
Flying during a peak month like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can result in longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Travelling to San Francisco (and then discovering more of United States!) is a breeze with SWISS. This popular airline has direct flights from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
SWISS is the airline most travellers choose to fly with on this route.
The most punctual carrier that operates ZRH to SFO flights is SWISS. Its services land as planned 65.0% of the time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
At the moment, 260 € is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is 418 €. Remember that fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To get cheap tickets from ZRH to SFO, reserve your journey seven months before your departure.
Plan your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for flights from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from ZRH to SFO by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Zurich Airport (ZRH)
When it comes to Zurich Airport's on-time performance, 69.02% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Central Zurich to Zurich Airport is approximately 13 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
The trip on public transport usually takes 1 hour 35 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to ZRH? If you're catching an early flight from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're getting in on a late Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight, few things top the convenience of being near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these options near SFO:
Begin your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond San Francisco's main sights.
Reserving your ride from San Francisco International Airport around one week in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to central San Francisco has a drive time of about 20 minutes. It's approximately 21 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport is February, while August is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
Before locking in your flight from Zurich Airport to San Francisco International Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 22ºC (72ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from ZRH to SFO in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF) on average.
Explore more of United States
San Francisco has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of United States just waiting to be explored. Around 64 kilometres south-east of San Francisco, a visit to San Jose will keep your itinerary packed. Start with attractions like Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.
Fresno is another essential stop in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. No journey is complete without experiencing Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Shinzen Japanese Garden.
