Find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Los Angeles (LAX) → San Francisco (SFO)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 30m – 6h (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | $290 | low |
| February | $275 | low |
| March | $310 | medium |
| April | $320 | medium |
| May | $340 | medium |
| June | $420 | high |
| July | $450 | high |
| August | $430 | high |
| September | $360 | medium |
| October | $330 | medium |
| November | $350 | medium |
| December | $410 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Southwest Airlines (direct): from $280 — Best value on this route; check their ‘Wanna Get Away’ fares. Book early as they don’t assign seats.
- Alaska Airlines (direct): from $310 — Book early for best prices on Alaska Airlines.
- United Airlines (direct): from $340 — Check United’s SFO departures from LAX Terminal 7. Their connection fares via Denver can sometimes be cheaper than direct.
- Delta Air Lines (direct): from $330 — Delta often runs sales on this route in January-February. Check their Comfort+ for extra legroom at reasonable cost.
- American Airlines (direct): from $350 — Check Terminal 4 at LAX. Their business class upgrade offers on this short hop are often available at check-in.
- JetBlue Airways (direct): from $300 — Their Mint cabins occasionally have deals, but standard Blue fares offer best value with included bag.
Booking Strategy
For Los Angeles to San Francisco flights, booking 2-4 weeks ahead yields the best deals, though this route sees frequent last-minute business travel so prices can spike. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently 15-25% cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. Early morning flights (6-9am) are typically the most expensive; afternoon departures (2-5pm) offer better value. Southwest Airlines usually undercuts competitors by $30-50 and includes two free checked bags—valuable for this short hop. Use Google Flights for price tracking on specific dates, and set alerts for LAX-SFO routes. January through March sees the lowest demand, while June-August and Thanksgiving week (late November) command premium prices. If flying in summer, book 6+ weeks ahead to lock in sub-$400 fares. Budget carriers JetBlue and Southwest often release seats 2-3 months in advance at their lowest prices.
Route Tips
- LAX Terminal 5 houses Southwest and JetBlue; Terminal 7 handles United and Delta—arrive at the correct terminal to avoid stress on this short route.
- If checking bags, Southwest’s two-free-bag policy alone can save $60-$100 versus United/American’s paid baggage on comparable fares.
- Consider flying into Oakland (OAK) instead of SFO—Spirit and Allegiant sometimes offer $30-$50 savings, though factor in the 20-minute drive difference.
- BART from SFO to downtown ($10.40, 30 min) is faster and cheaper than rideshare during rush hour when traffic on US-101 can add 45+ minutes.
- This route sells out fast on Friday afternoons—business travelers heading to Silicon Valley for Monday meetings book heavily, so avoid Friday PM departures if seeking deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The direct flight from LAX to SFO takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, making it one of the shortest major domestic routes in the US. This is actually shorter than the 6+ hour drive due to direct routing. If booking connecting flights (typically through Seattle, Portland, or Denver), expect layovers of 1-3 hours with total travel times between 3h30m and 6h. All major US carriers—United, Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest, and JetBlue—operate direct flights on this route throughout the day, with departures every 30-60 minutes during peak hours.
How much does it cost to fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Expect to pay $275-$450 for round-trip flights on this route. The average one-way price hovers around $150-$250 depending on season and advance booking. Southwest typically offers the lowest direct fares at $120-$180 one-way, while United and American command $180-$280 for comparable Main Cabin tickets. The most expensive period is June through August when summer tourism drives demand, with fares often exceeding $350 round-trip. January and February see the lowest prices at $250-$300 round-trip for most carriers. This route is notoriously expensive for its short distance due to heavy business travel between Silicon Valley and LA entertainment/tech industries.
Are there direct flights from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Yes, direct flights are readily available with over 40 daily departures from LAX to SFO. United Airlines operates the most frequent service (roughly 15-20 daily flights), followed by Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. There is no need for connections on this route as flight time is under 90 minutes. The only reason to book a connecting flight would be to secure a lower fare during peak pricing periods, though direct flights typically match or beat connection prices. Flights depart from LAX Terminals 4 (American), 5 (JetBlue/Southwest), 6 (Alaska), and 7 (United/Delta).
What is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
February is consistently the cheapest month to fly LAX-SFO, with average round-trip fares of $275 including all taxes and fees. January is nearly as affordable at $290. These post-holiday months see reduced business travel and leisure demand. The most expensive period runs from June through August, when summer vacationers push average prices to $420-$450 round-trip. Thanksgiving week (late November) and the two weeks around Christmas also see significant price spikes. For the best balance of weather and pricing, consider late April, May (before Memorial Day), or October—these shoulder months offer mild Bay Area weather with moderate fares around $320-$340 round-trip.
Which airlines fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Six airlines operate direct flights on this route: United Airlines (most frequent, hub at SFO), Alaska Airlines (strong Pacific Northwest presence), Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines (typically lowest prices), and JetBlue Airways. Southwest and JetBlue generally offer the best value, with fares starting around $120 one-way including a checked bag. United and American position themselves for business travelers, offering premium cabin options and better schedule flexibility. Alaska Airlines provides good connections if combining this route with Pacific Northwest travel. All carriers operate multiple daily departures, with the highest frequency between 7am-9am and 5pm-8pm.
What airport do I fly into in San Francisco?
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the primary airport serving both the city and Silicon Valley. Located approximately 14 miles (22 km) south of downtown San Francisco, SFO is the second-busiest airport in California and a major international gateway. From SFO to downtown: BART train takes 30 minutes and costs $10.40; rideshares (Uber/Lyft) run $35-55 depending on traffic; taxis cost approximately $50-60; rental cars are available at the rental car center with shuttle service. Note that SFO is significantly farther from downtown than Oakland Airport (OAK), which some budget carriers use—OAK is about 20 minutes from downtown but requires a longer drive from LAX.
How far in advance should I book Los Angeles to San Francisco flights?
Book 2-4 weeks ahead for optimal pricing on this route. Unlike international routes that require 2-6 months advance booking, LAX-SFO fares typically peak 1-3 weeks before departure due to last-minute business bookings. However, for summer travel (June-August), book 5-6 weeks ahead to secure sub-$400 fares. January through March allows for more flexible last-minute bookings as demand drops. Avoid booking less than 7 days ahead unless absolutely necessary—prices can jump 40-60% for last-minute business travelers. Tuesday and Wednesday departures offer the best value regardless of when you book, often saving $40-80 compared to weekend flights.
Is it cheaper to fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are significantly cheaper on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 15-25% less expensive than Friday through Sunday flights—saving $40-$100 on round-trip tickets. This pattern holds year-round due to the route’s heavy business traveler demographic. Monday flights fall in the middle range, while Thursday begins to see weekend-premium pricing as business travelers return. For the absolute cheapest option, look for Tuesday or Wednesday departures in the afternoon (2-5pm), which consistently offers the lowest fares. Weekend leisure travelers drive higher prices on Friday departures and Sunday returns. The difference between cheapest and most expensive days on the same route can exceed $120 per person.
Data updated: 2026-03
