SFO - SJO

£168 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San José – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£527
Typical prices: £421-£665
Southwest
Fri 28/9Fri 5/10
SFO - SJO • 2 stops
Cheapest direct flights
£527
Typical prices: £545-£814
United Airlines
Sun 11/11Thu 22/11
SFO - SJO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 6h 32m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 88% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 12 weeks in advance save around 9% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 22% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £336 (return)
Shortest trip • 8h 40m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San José!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San José (SFO-SJO)

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

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to San José

Mon, 28 Sep - Mon, 5 Oct
Southwest Logo
17:05 - 12:45SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 40m2 stops Los Angeles Los Angeles Orlando
Southwest Logo
13:30 - 00:45SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
12h 15m2 stops Houston Hobby Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
£527Southwest
Sat, 9 Jan - Fri, 22 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:07 - 23:25SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
29h 18m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
01:23 - 14:58SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
15h 35m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
£529Alaska Airlines
Sat, 7 Nov - Sat, 14 Nov
United Airlines Logo
17:42 - 06:25SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
10h 43m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
United Airlines Logo
09:40 - 14:42SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
7h 02mdirect
£530United Airlines
Fri, 19 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb
Alaska Airlines Logo
11:00 - 23:57SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
10h 57m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
01:45 - 12:27SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
12h 42m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
£531Alaska Airlines
Wed, 9 Dec - Thu, 24 Dec
Delta Logo
23:59 - 22:17SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
20h 18m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
08:30 - 16:18SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
9h 48m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
£534Delta
Fri, 8 Jan - Thu, 14 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:18 - 23:25SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
15h 07m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
01:23 - 17:10SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
17h 47m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
£534Alaska Airlines
Fri, 16 Oct - Fri, 6 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:47 - 19:30SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
9h 43m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
01:46 - 18:01SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
18h 15m2 stops Los Angeles Los Angeles Seattle/Tacoma Intl
£535Alaska Airlines
Sat, 9 Jan - Fri, 22 Jan
United Airlines Logo
00:08 - 08:32SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 24mdirect
United Airlines Logo
09:40 - 14:42SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
7h 02mdirect
£536United Airlines
Mon, 25 Jan - Tue, 2 Feb
United Airlines Logo
00:08 - 08:32SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 24mdirect
United Airlines Logo
09:40 - 14:42SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
7h 02mdirect
£536United Airlines
Mon, 25 Jan - Fri, 5 Feb
Delta Logo
16:00 - 12:45SFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
18h 45m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
14:10 - 10:40SJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
22h 30m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson New York John F Kennedy Intl
£537Delta
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Return flights from San Francisco to San José start at £527. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from £421 to £665. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £527 on Southwest.

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to San José and is 7% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 6% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to San José at £421 return.
  • December (£753) and November (£582) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 78% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Francisco to San José the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to San José are cheapest 12 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 9% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Francisco to San José

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

Mark Chesnut

Expert on SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

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.

Key details for San Francisco to San José flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

£168
Best time to beat the crowds (4% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 4% lower on average.
Flights from San Francisco to San José

When to book flights from San Francisco to San José

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

Your San Francisco to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Where can I sleep when at SFO?

    Depending on your preferences and budget, there are a variety of places you can stay while at the airport. In the airport, near the airport travel agency on Level G in the Main Hall, you may access nap rooms that are less expensive than hotels. These nap rooms provide Wi-Fi, a desk, mirrors, and showers. The Grand Hyatt at SFO, La Quinta Inn and Suites, Aloft San Francisco Airport, Westin San Francisco Airport, San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront, and Vagabond Inn Executive San Francisco Airport are a few of the nearby hotels you can choose from. These hotels are typically between 10 and 30min away from the airport.

  • Does the SFO have a business center?

    Finding a place in the airport where you can conduct business while traveling, or even join that virtual meeting, may be a fantastic idea. At the airport's Trip Tel Business Center, which is situated in the Main Hall of the International Terminal, you may access other services like faxing, copying, and renting mobile phones. Additionally, working spaces are offered at the desks in the sleep rooms, and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the airport.

  • What are my transportation options from SJO?

    You might want to keep an eye out for a few possibilities for getting from the airport to the city core. Numerous significant bus terminals exist, including the Terminal del Caribe, the Terminal Atlantica, the 7-10, and the Pulmitam. You can get to a bus terminal in downtown San Jose by boarding a bus from any of these locations. Private and shared shuttles are both options for getting you to downtown San Jose. Although shared shuttles must be accessed by taxiing to Denny's restaurant, private shuttles can be taken at the airport. You might also think about employing a taxi service, which is more practical because it gets you exactly where you want to go.

  • Where can I find food when at SJO?

    There is only one level of the San Jose Airport, which you can reach via the escalator. On this level, you can find a café, Starbucks, and Quiznos where you can get some food to eat. Additional dining options include Café Lavazza in the Landside Lobby Mezzanine, as well as the Airside Brioche Doree and Bar Imperial, all of which serve drinks.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to San José flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

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

  • Which airlines are available on the route from San Francisco to San José?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between San Francisco and San José.

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

    Flights from San Francisco to San José usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

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

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

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Copa Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class
    • Azul: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class

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

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

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £336 return via Orlando (MCO), compared with £635 for direct.

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

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £26–£74 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 San Francisco to San José?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 variants.

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

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

    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) – 79% of one-stop connections
    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) – 9% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX) – 5% of one-stop connections
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – 4% of one-stop connections

    San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 13% on the San Francisco to San José route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at £506 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at £576, a difference of £71. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

    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 San Francisco to San José route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 37 minutes.

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

    Night is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to San José flights, with 100% leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, Afternoon flights for 0%, and Evening flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Barrio Amón and Children's Museum. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 00:08 and lands at 06:40
    • Latest: departs at 23:35 and lands at 06:07.

    The flight takes about 6h 32m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 3% below the route average of £542. Booking late can sometimes save money on this route, but inventory is limited.

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

    A direct flight from San Francisco to San José takes 6h 32m, covering 3,039 miles.

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

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from San Francisco to San José 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 £527 to £3,132. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to San José are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £210, which is 12% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on San Francisco to San José flights?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating San Francisco to San José flights. 88% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from San Francisco to San José?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

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

    Flying via San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 40m, compared to 10h 04m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and 10h 38m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH).

  • What is the time difference between San Francisco and San José?

    San José is 1 hour ahead of San Francisco (Central Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £1 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Budget
    · Avis
    · Priceless
    · Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    · Payless

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

    Return flights from San Francisco to San José range from £421 to £665, with an average of £542 over the past 12 months. Anything below £421 counts as a good deal.

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

    JetBlue is the only airline on the San Francisco to San José route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to San José 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 Wednesday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average £506 – about £71 less than Saturday (12% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 12 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 9% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to San José trip for February. Fares historically average £421 return in that month – typically £331 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Orlando Airport (MCO) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £336 return on this route – about £299 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • When arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), proceed to the check-in area where you will locate Sky Cap, which provides porter and baggage wrapping services.
  • Rental options for baby equipment are available at the Cloud of Good shops in the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Online purchases can be picked up in-store. You can rent a car seat, a stroller, and other things.
  • If you require any assistance while at the airport, you can take advantage of the information desks located in each terminal at SFO.
  • To help you unwind before your trip, the Wag Brigade has trained canines with the message "Pet Me!" posted all over SFO.
  • Look for the Aviation Museum at Landside in the Mian Hall of the International Terminal if you are looking for a place you can take your family as you wait for your flight.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to San José

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