SEA - SFO

71€ Find Cheap Flights from Seattle to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
122 €
Typical prices: 167 €-329 €
Alaska Airlines
Mon 12.11.Fri 16.11.
SEA - SFO • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
71 €
Typical prices: 115 €-267 €
Southwest
Sun 9.12.
SEA - SFO • 1 stop
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta. Average duration is 2h 19m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 100% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 15 weeks in advance save around 71% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 30% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg 238 € (return)
Shortest trip • 5h 26m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Seattle to San Francisco (SEA-SFO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Seattle to San Francisco

Thu, 12. Nov - Mon, 16. Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
19:33 - 21:43SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 10mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
20:58 - 23:13SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 15mdirect
122 €Alaska Airlines
12 hours ago
Tue, 10. Nov - Thu, 12. Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:54 - 11:15SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 21mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:33 - 10:52SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 19mdirect
122 €Alaska Airlines
14 hours ago
Mon, 16. Nov - Thu, 19. Nov
United Airlines Logo
20:18 - 22:43SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 25mdirect
United Airlines Logo
14:10 - 16:27SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 17mdirect
122 €United Airlines
1 day ago
Sat, 14. Nov - Tue, 17. Nov
United Airlines Logo
7:00 - 9:19SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
16:10 - 18:26SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 16mdirect
122 €United Airlines
2 hours ago
Mon, 9. Nov - Mon, 9. Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:54 - 11:15SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 21mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
17:42 - 19:54SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 12mdirect
122 €Alaska Airlines
13 hours ago
Tue, 10. Nov - Wed, 11. Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
18:33 - 20:47SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 14mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
17:42 - 19:54SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 12mdirect
122 €Alaska Airlines
17 hours ago
Fri, 18. Dec - Sat, 23. Jan
United Airlines Logo
5:00 - 7:20SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 20mdirect
United Airlines Logo
16:55 - 19:07SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 12mdirect
122 €United Airlines
5 hours ago
Thu, 19. Nov - Mon, 23. Nov
United Airlines Logo
7:00 - 9:19SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 19mdirect
United Airlines Logo
7:25 - 9:40SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 15mdirect
122 €United Airlines
19 hours ago
Wed, 2. Dec - Mon, 14. Dec
United Airlines Logo
9:01 - 11:18SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 17mdirect
United Airlines Logo
14:05 - 16:22SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 17mdirect
122 €United Airlines
1 day ago
Wed, 10. Feb - Wed, 24. Feb
United Airlines Logo
9:01 - 11:17SEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SFO San Francisco
2h 16mdirect
United Airlines Logo
21:03 - 23:15SFO  San Francisco-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
2h 12mdirect
122 €United Airlines
21 hours ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Seattle to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Seattle to San Francisco?

Return flights from Seattle to San Francisco typically range from 167 € to 329 €. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was 122 € on Alaska Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Seattle to San Francisco?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Seattle to San Francisco. It’s 8% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 21% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Seattle to San Francisco?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Seattle to San Francisco at 164 € return.
•June (263 €) and July (255 €) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 60% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Seattle to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Seattle to San Francisco are cheapest 15 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 71% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Seattle to San Francisco flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

71 €
Beat the crowds with an average 21% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 14% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from Seattle to San Francisco

When to book flights from Seattle to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Seattle to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Flights from Seattle to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from Seattle to San Francisco 
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2026
Smooth transition, bit of walking from baggage claim to customs to trains for gates. However, very quick at quiet times, loved it. No issues, had a coffee along the way.
RobertFlew with United Airlines-Mar 2025
If you’re picking up a rental car it’s not very clear that you have to take the train. Signage can be improved at SFO.

Your Seattle to San Francisco flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Seattle to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 5:00 and lands at 7:19
    • Latest: departs at 21:38 and lands at 23:57.

    The flight takes about 2h 19m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Seattle to San Francisco:

    • Economy class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Seattle to San Francisco?

    A direct flight from Seattle to San Francisco takes 2h 19m, covering 1.757 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Seattle to San Francisco?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Seattle to San Francisco flight?

    Return flights from Seattle to San Francisco range from 167 € to 329 €, with an average of 235 € over the past 12 months. Anything below 167 € counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Seattle to San Francisco flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 94% above the 235 € route average. Book 15 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Seattle to San Francisco?

    On this route, direct and stopover fares are close on average, with direct at 235 € return and stopover options via Denver Intl (DEN) at 238 €.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Southwest is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Delta has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Seattle to San Francisco flights are:

    • Southwest: 100% on time
    • Delta: 72% on time
    • United Airlines: 71% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 69% of the time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge 31 €–89 € for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Alaska Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Seattle to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Seattle to San Francisco flights, with 43% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 26%, Evening flights for 26%, and Night flights for 5%.

  • Have flight prices from Seattle to San Francisco changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about 122 € to 756 €. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Seattle to San Francisco flights?

    Three airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Seattle to San Francisco flights:

    • Alaska Airlines
    • Delta
    • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty programme, while others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

  • How are flight prices from Seattle to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from Seattle to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about 73 €, which is 59% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around 14 € for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Flights from Seattle to San Francisco usually depart from Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Seattle to San Francisco?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Seattle to San Francisco route, 31% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 34m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Seattle to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from Seattle to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Denver Intl (DEN) – 39% of one-stop connections
    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) – 39% of one-stop connections
    • Salt Lake City (SLC) – 12% of one-stop connections
    • Ontario (ONT) – 9% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 24% on flights from Seattle to San Francisco. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at 218 € return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at 287 €, a difference of 69 €.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from Seattle to San Francisco?

    3 airlines operate flights between Seattle and San Francisco. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Alaska Airlines
    • United Airlines
    • Delta

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Seattle to San Francisco?

    Flying via Salt Lake City (SLC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 26m, compared to 11h 57m via Ontario (ONT) and 13h 10m via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS).

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, and Union Square. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Seattle to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Seattle to San Francisco flights:

    • Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Delta: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Seattle to San Francisco flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Delta: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

  • What facilities are available for business travelers at San Francisco International Airport?

    While there is no designated business center at San Francisco International Airport, there are plenty of workstations located throughout its terminals. There are also Power Bars in the Terminal 2 Food Court where travelers can plug in their laptops and continue their work while on the go.

  • Can I fly from Seattle to San Francisco non-stop?

    Due to their close proximity, many airlines offer nonstop flights from Seattle to San Francisco. Some of the airlines offering such flights include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. There are also one-stop flights available through airlines like jetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, with layovers in cities such as Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Portland.

  • What is the quickest way from San Francisco International Airport to downtown San Francisco?

    Aside from renting or driving a personal vehicle, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) is the quickest way to get from San Francisco International Airport to the city. Terminal 3 hosts the airport’s BART station and is easily accessed via AirTrain from the airport’s other terminals.

  • Should I fly to San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, or San José International Airport?

    Both San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are connected to BART, making them ideal for travelers who plan to take public transportation after their flights from Seattle to San Francisco. The main difference between the two is that San Francisco is on the west side of the bay while Oakland is on the east. San José International Airport, on the other hand, is not connected via BART, but there are other public transport options available. However, the main reason to fly into San José is if your final destination is outside of the Bay Area, as the airport is located a bit further outside the Bay Area’s urban sprawl.

Your guide to booking Seattle to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Thursday flights average 218 €, about 69 € less than Monday fares (24% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 15 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 71% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Seattle to San Francisco trip for January. Fares historically average 164 € return in that month – typically 99 € less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Southwest. Over the past three months, 100% of Southwest flights from Seattle to San Francisco arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 69%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 1h 34m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • Looking to take public transport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport so you can avoid the hassle of renting a car? Link Light Rail services connect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport directly to downtown Seattle and even to the University of Washington. The airport’s Link station is located outside the airport on the fourth floor of the adjacent parking garage.
  • Want to give the kids the chance to burn off a bit of excess energy before the flight? Stop by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Playroom, located by the Seattle Tap Room in the Central Terminal by the A gates. At San Francisco International Airport there are three children’s play areas to choose from: two in Terminal 3 and one in Terminal 2.
  • Fortunately for travelers wanting to grab a bite to eat before they board their flight out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, there are plenty of restaurant options available - even for those with dietary restrictions. For vegetarians and vegans there is Floret, while for those who prefer meat on the menu, there is Rel’Lish Burger Lounge.
  • The Aviation Museum in San Francisco International Airport is a great family-friendly activity for those who are looking for a diversion during their time at the airport. The museum includes a library and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • To reach San Francisco International Airport’s Rental Car Center, simply hop on the AirTrain Blue Line at any one of the airport’s terminals. The AirTrain runs 24 hours a day and also connects the terminals to all of the airport’s parking garages and the BART station.

Prefer to fly direct from Seattle/Tacoma Intl to San Francisco?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Seattle/Tacoma Intl Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Seattle/Tacoma Intl to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Seattle/Tacoma Intl

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Delta,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,Delta, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Seattle to San Francisco

Complete your trip to San Francisco with a hotel stay or car hire