LON - SFO

£355 Find Cheap Flights from London to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
£436
Typical prices: £468-£713
Virgin Atlantic
Tue 22/12Sun 17/1
LHR - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
£436
Typical prices: £422-£581
Virgin Atlantic
Fri 20/11Sat 28/11
LHR - SFO • Direct
Advice from real travellers
Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight adds extra legroom and priority boarding.
British Airways premium economy adds legroom, wider seats, and priority boarding.
Expert advice
Expert advice
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+1
Expert advice
Expert advice
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Direct flights
You can fly direct with British Airways, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. Average duration is 11h 02m
Direct flights
Direct flights
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+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
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Top routes
Insights
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £396 (return)
Shortest trip • 13h 15m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 10 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 21% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
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Good to know
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We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from London to San Francisco (LON-SFO)

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

Recent return flight deals from London to San Francisco

Tue, 22 Dec - Sun, 17 Jan
Virgin Atlantic Logo
10:55 - 19:50LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
16h 55m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Virgin Atlantic Logo
13:05 - 10:40SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
13h 35m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
£436Virgin Atlantic
Fri, 20 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Virgin Atlantic Logo
11:50 - 14:50LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mdirect
Virgin Atlantic Logo
16:40 - 10:55SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 15mdirect
£436Virgin Atlantic
Mon, 19 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
16:25 - 13:35LGW  London Gatwick-SFO San Francisco
29h 10m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
17:35 - 15:45SFO  San Francisco-LGW London Gatwick
15h 10m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
£437TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Wed, 23 Sep - Wed, 30 Sep
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
18:45 - 14:30LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
27h 45m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
16:35 - 17:45SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
17h 10m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
£437TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Thu, 22 Oct - Thu, 5 Nov
SWISS Logo
09:25 - 16:35LGW  London Gatwick-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
19:25 - 17:50SFO  San Francisco-LGW London Gatwick
14h 25m1 stop Zurich
£439SWISS
Sat, 24 Oct - Fri, 6 Nov
SWISS Logo
09:25 - 16:35LGW  London Gatwick-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
19:25 - 17:50SFO  San Francisco-LGW London Gatwick
14h 25m1 stop Zurich
£439SWISS
Mon, 26 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:35 - 15:50LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
16h 15m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:25 - 17:50SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
14h 25m1 stop Zurich
£439Multiple Airlines
Mon, 26 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
Lufthansa Logo
06:30 - 13:35LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
14h 05m1 stop Frankfurt am Main
Lufthansa Logo
17:40 - 11:15SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 35mdirect
£439Lufthansa
Tue, 13 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:15 - 14:40STN  London Stansted-SFO San Francisco
33h 25m2 stops Dublin Kastrup Copenhagen
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:45 - 22:20SFO  San Francisco-STN London Stansted
21h 35m2 stops Kastrup Copenhagen Dublin
£444Multiple Airlines
Thu, 14 Jan - Fri, 15 Jan
Lufthansa Logo
07:40 - 14:50LHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
16:40 - 11:15SFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 35mdirect
£447Lufthansa
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for London to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from London to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

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

Flight prices are typical for this route right now.

Flights to San Francisco from London usually cost between £423 and £556 in November.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £436 on Virgin Atlantic (20 Nov–28 Nov).

What is the cheapest London to San Francisco flight route?

The cheapest return flight from London to San Francisco costs £423 on the route between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and San Francisco (SFO). It is also the most popular route.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to San Francisco?

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to San Francisco on a Thursday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to London, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Tuesdays for better deals.

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

The cheapest month for flights from London to San Francisco is February, where tickets cost £428 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is £631 and £610 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from London to San Francisco?

No, with an average price for the route of £562, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from London to San Francisco?

To get a below average price on the flight from London to San Francisco, you should book around 10 weeks before departure, which saves you about 22% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 26 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from London to San Francisco

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Laura Ratliff

Laura Ratliff

Expert on Virgin Atlantic

Laura Ratliff is a New York-based writer and editor. She lives in downtown Brooklyn with her husband and their beloved dogs. Originally from Texas, she now considers New York City her home. She typically spends more than 200,000 miles on a plane each year and stays in plenty of hotels.

Duncan Madden

Duncan Madden

Expert on British Airways

Duncan is a freelance travel writer, copywriter and book author in constant search of travel stories and the perpetual sensation of being on holiday. He’s never happier than when on a dusty trail in search of empty waves or ducking under the piste tape in search of snowbound solitude. British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. His first book, Found in Translation, explores the etymologies and stories of country names around the world and is out now.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or out at sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Kirstie Pickering

Kirstie Pickering

Expert on LHR

Aviation and business journalist Kirstie didn’t leave England until she was 18 years old, but has since travelled to over 20 countries including Japan, Canada, and Iceland. Her travel expertise lies in European city breaks, including how to find the best locally-owned hotels and restaurants and how to optimise the airport experience for your needs.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specialising in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favourite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from London to San Francisco

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

£355
Best time to beat the crowds (6% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (12% more expensive on average)
Flight from London Heathrow Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from London to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from London 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 London to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from London to San Francisco 
ManyiFlew with British Airways-Jun 2026
London airport is huge - it took be an hour to transfer from one gate to another gate in the same terminal. Plan accordingly.
AntonFlew with United Airlines-Feb 2026
United has a cool arrival lounge in london but it is a bit hard to find, after customs look left
AlastairFlew with British Airways-Feb 2025
Make sure your free checked luggage is for outward and return flights.
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines-Sept 2024
Download all your music. Add shows and movies to your queue. Bring short so you can relax. Bring long charger cords.
Verified travelerFlew with American Airlines-Mar 2024
Heathrow is vast, allow plenty of time to drop bags and go through security. At San Francisco the immigration takes a bit of time and we had to wait around 1.5hrs, bare this in mind when booking car rental. The is a shuttle train from the airport to the car rental area which is very slick and efficient.
Ana-MariaFlew with Iberia-Mar 2024
In London triple check your flight they have multiple leaving for the same destination once - it is easy to get them confused

FAQs for booking flights from London to San Francisco

  • Is there a rail service linking San Francisco airport to the city centre?

    The BART rail service links San Francisco airport with the city centre, running from 8am to midnight every day, with a frequency of every 20 mins. The BART also links the airport to the East Bay and San Mateo County. The SFO BART Station is located at the International Terminal in departures. To reach it from other terminals you can take the SFO AirTrain which links all terminals to each other. You can purchase a ticket at the BART station.

  • What bus services are available at San Francisco airport?

    SamTrans buses link San Francisco airport to the city centre, Palo Alto and San Mateo County. Lines stopping at the airport are SFO, ECR, 292, 397 and 398. It’s a 24-hour bus service, and you can hop on outside of Arrivals at Terminal 2 and 3, outside of International Terminal Level 1 and Curbside.

  • Are there any onsite airport hotels available at San Francisco airport?

    There are nap rooms available inside San Francisco airport, in the international terminal which are open 24 hours. The rate is $40 USD (about 32 GBP) per hour or $120 USD (about 95 GBP) for 8 hours. Alternatively, there are 5 hotels all within 5 minutes from the airport, and all offering free airport shuttle service.

  • Where can I have a shower at San Francisco airport?

    For a refreshing shower after a long flight from London to San Francisco, head to Freshen Up which is located in International Terminal level G. They are open 24 hours, and their rates start from $25 USD (about 20 GBP) for a Deluxe shower, which is a 30-minute shower and includes a towel, soap, shampoo, and other amenities on demand such as a hair dryer.

  • What visa do I need to fly to San Francisco?

    UK passengers will need to get a visa waiver through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before they fly to San Francisco. You can make your ESTA application online through the US State Department website. You must have a valid British passport when you visit the United States.

  • How can I hire a car at San Francisco International Airport?

    Hiring a car at San Francisco International Airport is an easy and convenient way to start your trip. Car hire services are available at the Car Rental Center, which is connected to the airport terminals via the San Francisco AirTrain. To access the car hire centre, you should take the AirTrain blue line to the car hire stop. The AirTrain service at San Francisco Airport operates 24 hours.  

  • What is the cheapest flight from London to San Francisco?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from London to San Francisco was £355 for a one-way ticket and £436 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from London to San Francisco?

    There are 6 airports in London (London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Southend, and London Stansted.) and only 1 airport in San Francisco (San Francisco). The cheapest flights are generally found on the London Gatwick Airport to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from London to San Francisco?

    Only KLM offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the London to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from London to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the London to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from London to San Francisco?

    oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between London and San Francisco, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from London to San Francisco?

    There are direct flights from London to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from London to San Francisco, KLM or Austrian Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from London to San Francisco are KLM and Austrian Airlines. With an average price for the route of £642 and an overall rating of 7.8, KLM is the most popular choice. Austrian Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of £511 and an overall rating of 7.6.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from London to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from London to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from London to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from London is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from London to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to London with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from London to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from London up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from London to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight from London to San Francisco? 25% of our users found flights on this route for £461 or less one-way and £487 or less round-trip.
  • There are direct flights from London to San Francisco with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and United airlines. All airlines offer a comfortable leg room of about 79 cm in average, and all offer on-demand video to keep passengers entertained. Virgin Atlantic and United airlines also have Wi-Fi available on board for a fee.
  • If you are flying with Air France or KLM airlines, you can head to their dedicated airline lounges in San Francisco airport for a bit of quiet space, both located in the International Terminal. KLM passengers will be happy to know that they also have a lounge in London Heathrow Airport.
  • If you have a bit of time before your flight, head to the San Francisco Airport Aviation Library and Aviation Museum, both located in the International Terminal. They are free of charge to access, and will give you an insight into the world of air transport and commercial aviation.
  • Passengers travelling with children can head to Terminals 2 and 3 for Kids’ Spots play rooms. If you need supplies for babies such as diapers, medicine and food, you will find them available at one of the News kiosks. Stroller and baby equipment are available for rent from Cloud of Goods.
  • There is never a dull moment at San Francisco airport, as you will find about 20 exhibitions on show at any one point throughout the airport. These can include photographs, paintings, installations and video arts. The Video Arts Room is located in the International Terminal and shows short films (10 minutes and less in length) from 5am to midnight, with new films showing every 4 weeks.
  • If you want to find cheap flights from London to San Francisco and lower your carbon footprint, you can use KAYAK’s CO2 emissions search filter to discover the greenest routes. For instance, you can lower your carbon output by around 35% when you fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with KLM or with American Airlines. Flights to San Francisco (SFO) with KLM are direct and take around 11 hours altogether. Meanwhile, if you fly with American Airlines, your journey will take around 16 hours and include one layover at Philadelphia Airport (PHL). Choosing low-emission routes may somewhat increase your travel costs.
  • Most cheap flights from London to San Francisco depart from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). If you're booked on an early flight, both London Heathrow and London Gatwick have a range of on-site hotels. Passengers flying with British Airways from Heathrow can check into Sofitel, which is connected to Terminal 5. Meanwhile, travellers flying from Gatwick can stay at Yotelair, which is connected to the airport’s South Terminal.
  • If you've got some spare time after you land at San Francisco Airport, you can visit the Sky Terrace. It offers incredible views of the airport runways and is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm throughout the week.

Prefer to fly direct from London to San Francisco?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London to San Francisco

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to London

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from London to San Francisco

Other airlines flying from London to San Francisco