Downtown San Francisco skyline with the Transamerica Pyramid. Flights from New York to San Francisco

Route guide

Cheap Flights from New York to San Francisco

Search JFK to San Francisco International (SFO) fares from New York, with JFK rail and drop-off notes and SFO's BART, AirTrain and SamTrans connections.

JFK to SFO · 2,573 mi · 6h 30m est.

JFK to SFO
2,573 miles
6h 30m nonstop (estimated)
6 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New York to San Francisco flight insights

Average flight time

6h 30m

JFK → SFO

Cheapest month

January

Based on cached fare history

Cheapest cached price

$320

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 26, 2026.

Planning a trip from New York to San Francisco? The average flight time on this route is 6h 30m. The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $320 (last checked Oct 26, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ. January is the cheapest month recorded for this route in our cached fare data.

New York to San Francisco covers a straight-line distance of about 2,573 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~6h 2m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

New York to San Francisco at a glance

JFK to SFO is about 2,573 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from New York to San Francisco on Eazair
Origin	New York (JFK)
Destination	San Francisco (SFO)
Average Flight Time	6h 30m
Cheapest Month to Fly	January
Current Lowest Fare	$320
Fares Last Checked	Oct 26, 2026
Distance	2,573 miles
Time in San Francisco	3 hours behind New York
Airlines in our fare results	6

Local time in San Francisco is 3 hours behind New York. New York is on Eastern Time, San Francisco on Pacific Time.

Flight deals from New York to San Francisco

This route runs from John F. Kennedy International (JFK) to San Francisco International (SFO). Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are separate Bay Area airports, as are LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR) in New York, so check that each result shows JFK and SFO. Delta, Southwest, United, American, JetBlue and Sun Country have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. Airline terminal assignments at SFO are not covered here, so check your boarding pass or airline app.

JFK says redevelopment construction may cause road detours and closures throughout 2026 and encourages mass transit. The Port Authority puts the LIRR at about 20 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to Jamaica, where AirTrain JFK picks up and its fare applies. If you are being dropped off, drivers can use the free lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, and the AirTrain from there is free.

SFO's BART station is in the International Terminal on Level 3. BART says Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are one to three minutes away on AirTrain, and trains to downtown San Francisco take about 30 minutes. For Caltrain, ride BART 4 minutes to Millbrae and use the cross-platform connection. SamTrans routes 292, 397 and late-night ECR OWL stop at the terminals, with the Terminal 2 stop at the center island next to Courtyard 2.

Across 17 initial fare checks on JFK to SFO, from 10 Sep to 11 Oct 2026, EazAir requested the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult on a departure 30 days out. The highest result was at least double the lowest, the 17 checks returned 12 different results, and the lowest came on 11 Oct. United Basic Economy on domestic flights and Sun Country's base fare include only a personal item, not a carry-on. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for New York to San Francisco flights

Departure · New York

John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Eastern Time

Other airports near New York: LaGuardia (LGA), Newark Liberty International (EWR), Stewart International (SWF)

Arrival · San Francisco

San Francisco International (SFO)

Pacific Time

Other airports near San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland International (OAK), Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC)

About San Francisco

Areas to know in San Francisco

Mission District
North Beach
Hayes Valley

Weather in San Francisco

A Mediterranean climate, though famously cool and foggy in summer due to marine influence.

New York to San Francisco: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

EazAir searches New York with the JFK code, and the New York area has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are separate airports in the same region. Check that your ticket says SFO.

LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens and Newark Liberty (EWR) are separate airports, so check the airport code on every result.

Leaving from John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Airline	JFK terminal
Delta	Terminal 4
JetBlue	Terminal 5 (some international arrivals use Terminal 4 overnight)
American	Terminal 8
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

Take the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to Jamaica, about 20 minutes according to the Port Authority, or the subway to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then AirTrain JFK. The AirTrain fare applies there.
JFK curbsides are for active drop-offs only. JFK says drivers for Terminals 1 and 4 should use the Van Wyck Expressway, and for Terminals 5, 7 and 8 the JFK Expressway.
Drivers can also use the free drop-off lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, then ride the free AirTrain to the terminals.
JetBlue's JFK page lists TSA checkpoint hours of 3 a.m. to midnight.
TSA PreCheck lets you keep shoes, belts and light jackets on and leave laptops and travel-size liquids (the 3-1-1 rule) in your bag. TSA says no traveler is assured expedited screening.
JFK says redevelopment construction may cause road detours and closures throughout 2026 and encourages travelers to use mass transit.

Arriving at San Francisco International (SFO)

Airline terminal locations are not listed here. Check your boarding pass or airline app for your terminal.

BART describes SFO as having domestic Terminals 1, 2 and 3 plus the International Terminal.
The BART station is in the International Terminal on Level 3. BART says it is a short walk from Terminals 1 and 3.
AirTrain links all terminals with the BART station. BART says the domestic terminals are one to three minutes away on AirTrain.

Getting from SFO	Where to board	Where it goes
BART	SFO station, International Terminal, Level 3. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, walk or take the AirTrain Red Line, BART says.	BART lists two lines here, Antioch to SFIA/Millbrae and Richmond to Millbrae/SFIA. About 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco, according to BART.
AirTrain	All terminals, BART says.	Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the BART station in the International Terminal.
Caltrain via Millbrae	Take BART from the SFO station to Millbrae, a 4-minute ride, according to BART.	Caltrain, through the cross-platform connection BART lists at Millbrae.
SamTrans buses	Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level, and the International Terminal on Level 1 at Courtyard A or curbside next to Courtyard G, SamTrans says.	Routes 292, 397 and late-night ECR OWL stop at the terminals and serve San Mateo County and San Francisco, according to SamTrans.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Southwest Basic	Southwest's policy allows one carry-on and one personal item.	Checked bag fees apply to Basic fares.	A free Standard seat is assigned at check-in. Preferred and Extra Legroom seats cost extra.	Only by upgrading to a Choice fare or higher. Cancelling at least 10 minutes before departure gives a flight credit, which for Basic expires 6 months from booking.
JetBlue Main Base (bookings made after 29 Jul 2026)	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included.	Costs extra.	Change fee plus any fare difference. Cancelling gives travel credit minus a fee.
Sun Country base fare	Not included. The base fare includes a personal item.	Not included.	Costs extra to choose, or a seat is assigned at check-in.	A change fee and any fare difference may apply. Sun Country says to cancel the original reservation before departure to change the ticket.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first 17 fare checks from New York to San Francisco ran from 10 Sep to 11 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. The highest result was at least double the lowest. The 17 checks returned 12 different results. The lowest result came on 11 Oct. That is a small sample, so it shows that prices move, not when they are lowest. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

JFK: Airlines (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Terminals (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: JFK Terminal 8 opening (21 Apr 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JetBlue: New York JFK airport information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: AirTrain (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Public transport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Pick-up and drop-off areas (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Alerts and advisories (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
TSA: PreCheck (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
BART: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) station (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
BART: Getting to SFO (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
BART: Millbrae station (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SamTrans: Airport service (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Assigned seating (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Carry-on baggage policy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare types and benefits (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JetBlue: Fare options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Sun Country Stories: Your first Sun Country flight? Here's what to expect from booking to boarding (Jul 10, 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Sun Country: Contract of Carriage (Updated October 15, 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for JFK to SFO, 10 Sep 2026 to 11 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from SFO to downtown San Francisco?

BART runs from the International Terminal, Level 3, and BART says trains take about 30 minutes to downtown. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, walk or take the AirTrain Red Line to the station.

Can I reach Caltrain from SFO?

Yes, via Millbrae. BART says Millbrae is a 4-minute ride from SFO and has a cross-platform connection to Caltrain.

Is there parking at the SFO BART station?

No. BART says there is no parking at its SFO station, and the closest BART station parking is at Millbrae.

Do the lowest fares on this route's airlines include a carry-on?

Delta Main Basic, American Basic Economy, JetBlue Main Base and Southwest Basic include one. United Basic Economy on domestic flights and Sun Country's base fare include only a personal item.

Does this page search Oakland or San Jose?

No. It searches San Francisco International (SFO) only. Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) are separate airports in the same region, so check that your ticket says SFO.

How far is JFK from SFO?

JFK and SFO are about 2573 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
Southwest Airlines	Included	$45	$55	southwest.com, Oct 27, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.