Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to London is 11 hours 7 minutes.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Based in the UTC+0 timezone, London is 7 hours ahead of San Francisco.
The busiest route is from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Take your pick of 62 services every week between these two airports. If you want to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SFO to LHR is the 12:30 United service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 22:15 with Virgin Atlantic.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from SFO to London. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like August or high seasons such as Christmas and New Year will mean bigger waits at check-in and security. Play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of an international flight is wise.
Nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London are available for booking. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) will be your arrival point.
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to London include:
We make it simple to find a flight from SFO to London that includes a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
You can enter United Kingdom for tourism purposes without a visa if you have a passport from United States. But before reserving your cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to London, make sure you're up to date with the latest guidelines. Visa rules can change, and you may require some documentation if your trip is for business or other reasons.
Travelling from central San Francisco to SFO takes about 47 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a stress-free start to your holiday? Stay near SFO. Whether you have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to London or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to London
RM1,114 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to London. A return flight starts at RM1,890. These fares may change depending on demand.
Book 11 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from SFO to London.
July is the cheapest month for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to London. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you from searching for cheap tickets from SFO to London every day.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from San Francisco International Airport to London. Simply enter your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to the centre of London takes around 57 minutes by car. It's approximately 31 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour and 1 minute to get there by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to London, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near LHR:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is about 80 kilometres from the centre of London. After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to London, it'll take you around 1 hour and 19 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to LGW. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from SFO to London:
Best time to go to London
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to London. July is the busiest month for a trip to London. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
Before booking a flight from San Francisco International Airport to London, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
Look for cheap flights from SFO to London in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC and 9ºC on average.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in London right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to London:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Select one of our car rentals in London and see the sights in your own time. Easily compare options in one go to find the ideal ride after booking your hotel and cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport to London.