BJS - SFO

$490 Find Cheap Flights from Beijing to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$657
Typical prices: $897-$1,424
China Southern
Fri 11/23Thu 1/4
PKX - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$981
Typical prices: $1,228-$1,547
Air China
Wed 11/21Wed 12/5
PEK - SFO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and Air China. Average duration is 11h 44m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 26% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 84% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 28% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 37% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $715 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 16h 41m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Beijing to San Francisco (BJS-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Beijing to San Francisco

Mon, Nov 23 - Mon, Jan 4
China Southern Logo
7:30 pm - 7:40 pmPKX  Beijing Daxing Intl-SFO San Francisco
16h 10m1 stop Wuhan
China Southern Logo
11:35 pm - 6:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-PKX Beijing Daxing Intl
26h 40m1 stop Wuhan
$657China Southern
Mon, Nov 23 - Thu, Dec 31
China Southern Logo
3:15 pm - 7:40 pmPKX  Beijing Daxing Intl-SFO San Francisco
20h 25m1 stop Wuhan
China Southern Logo
11:35 pm - 5:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-PKX Beijing Daxing Intl
25h 40m2 stops Wuhan Guangzhou Baiyun
$679China Southern
Mon, Dec 21 - Fri, Jan 1
Asiana Airlines Logo
3:35 pm - 2:30 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
14h 55m1 stop Incheon Intl
Asiana Airlines Logo
11:00 pm - 9:45 amSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
18h 45m1 stop Incheon Intl
$878Asiana Airlines
Tue, Nov 17 - Sun, Nov 22
Asiana Airlines Logo
3:35 pm - 2:30 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
14h 55m1 stop Incheon Intl
Asiana Airlines Logo
11:00 pm - 4:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
25h 25m1 stop Incheon Intl
$883Asiana Airlines
Sun, Mar 28 - Sat, Apr 10
Cathay Pacific Logo
7:40 pm - 10:40 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
18h 00m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
Cathay Pacific Logo
12:20 am - 12:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
21h 05m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
$904Cathay Pacific
Mon, Nov 23 - Tue, Dec 29
Air China Logo
8:05 pm - 11:01 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
18h 56m1 stop Vancouver Intl
Air China Logo
4:55 pm - 6:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
33h 25m1 stop Vancouver Intl
$915Air China
Wed, Nov 25 - Tue, Dec 29
Air China Logo
8:05 pm - 11:01 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
18h 56m1 stop Vancouver Intl
Air China Logo
4:55 pm - 6:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
33h 25m1 stop Vancouver Intl
$915Air China
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Dec 5
United Airlines Logo
7:20 pm - 2:50 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
11h 30mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 6:35 amSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
30h 05m2 stops Denver Intl Los Angeles
$986United Airlines
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Dec 5
United Airlines Logo
7:20 pm - 2:50 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
11h 30mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
12:32 pm - 6:35 amSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
26h 03m1 stop Los Angeles
$986United Airlines
Fri, Jan 22 - Wed, Apr 28
Cathay Pacific Logo
7:30 pm - 9:15 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
17h 45m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
Cathay Pacific Logo
12:20 am - 12:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
21h 05m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
$1,027Cathay Pacific
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Beijing 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 round-trip flight from Beijing to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from Beijing to San Francisco typically range from $897 to $1,424. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $657, on China Southern.

What is the cheapest Beijing to San Francisco flight route?

Beijing Daxing Intl Airport (PKX) to San Francisco (SFO) is the cheapest Beijing to San Francisco route, averaging $681 round-trip. Other Beijing to San Francisco routes average $1,162, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Beijing to San Francisco. It’s 11% cheaper than the average day, while Thursday is the most expensive, with prices 31% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Beijing to San Francisco?

•March is the cheapest month to fly from Beijing to San Francisco at $720 round-trip.
•August ($1,557) and June ($1,382) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 116% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Beijing to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Beijing to San Francisco are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 28% 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 Beijing to San Francisco

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
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 on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Robert Schrader

Robert Schrader

Expert on Air China

One of the web's original travel bloggers, Robert launched his first site Leave Your Daily Hell in 2009. Since then, he's expanded into destination niche sites (one each for Japan, Thailand and Taiwan), in addition to having written for the inflight magazines of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Overall, he's visited nearly 100 countries, and flies business as often as possible.

Daniel Scheffler

Daniel Scheffler

Expert on PEK

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, podcaster, and producer. Born in Africa, bred in Europe and now living in America he has traveled to 140 countries (and all 50 U.S. states). Plus he has stayed at over 2500 hotels across the globe. His original shows Everywhere and Without Maps (available on Spotify) showcase his beliefs, travel is about humanity and sharing that beauty. And thus it reminds you that you shouldn’t believe everything you think.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing 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 favorite 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. She will always choose the window seat.

Key details for Beijing to San Francisco flights

Low season

November

Cheapest flight

$490
Beat the crowds with an average 45% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 44% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Beijing Capital Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Beijing to San Francisco

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

Your Beijing 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 Beijing to San Francisco?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 12:55 pm and lands at 12:39 am
    • Latest: departs at 7:20 pm and lands at 7:04 am.

    The flight takes about 11h 44m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Beijing to San Francisco?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Beijing to San Francisco:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

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

    A nonstop flight from Beijing to San Francisco takes 11h 44m, covering 5,910 miles.

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

    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.

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

    Round-trip flights from Beijing to San Francisco range from $897 to $1,424, with an average of $1,146 over the past 12 months. Anything below $897 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) are 1% below the route average of $1,146. Booking late can sometimes save you money, but inventory is limited.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Beijing to San Francisco?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $715 round-trip via Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), compared to $1,373 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $75–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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

    Evening is the busiest departure period on Beijing to San Francisco flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

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

    One-way fares from Beijing to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $549, which is 20% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $63 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

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

    Flights from Beijing to San Francisco may depart from several airports in Beijing area, including Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing Intl (PKX). Flights usually arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Beijing 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 Beijing to San Francisco route, 19% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 52m.

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

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

    • Incheon Intl (ICN) - 48% of one-stop connections
    • Vancouver Intl (YVR) - 20% of one-stop connections
    • Tokyo Haneda (HND) - 14% of one-stop connections
    • Hong Kong Intl (HKG) - 12% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 32% on flights from Beijing to San Francisco. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,024 round-trip on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at $1,503, a difference of $479.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from Beijing to San Francisco?

    2 airlines operate flights between Beijing and San Francisco. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Air China

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

    Flying via Tokyo Haneda (HND) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 16h 41m, compared with 17h 51m via Incheon Intl (ICN) and 17h 52m via Vancouver Intl (YVR).

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

    San Francisco is 15 hours behind Beijing (Pacific Time vs China Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

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

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

    Among airlines operating Beijing to San Francisco flights:

    • United 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 Beijing to San Francisco 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
    • Air China: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

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

  • What are the most eco-friendly airlines offering flights from Beijing (PEK) to San Francisco (SFO)?

    Air Canada and Lufthansa offer eco-friendly services between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and San Francisco (SFO). Both carriers strongly focus on sustainability and aim to be leaders in environmental responsibility. They have significantly invested in biofuels, reduced their greenhouse gas emissions, and implemented programs to promote sustainable practices.

  • What are the most popular layover cities on flights from Beijing (PKX) to San Francisco (SFO)?

    The most popular layover cities on flights from Beijing (PKX) to San Francisco (SFO) can vary depending on airline routes and availability. However, some common layover cities on this route include Shanghai (PVG), Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT/HND), Hong Kong (HKG), and Guangzhou (CAN). Still, these transits might change, and checking with the airline might be helpful.

  • What services do airlines flying from Beijing (PEK) to San Francisco (SFO) offer to unaccompanied minors?

    Airlines flying from Beijing (PEK) to San Francisco (SFO) typically provide dedicated personnel to supervise unaccompanied minors throughout their journey. They assist with check-in, accompany the child through security and immigration, and ensure they are boarded and disembarked safely. Furthermore, they maintain regular communication with parents or guardians of unaccompanied minors, providing updates on the child's journey and any necessary information.

  • Which airline flying from Beijing (PKX) to San Francisco (SFO) offers accessible services?

    Air China, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines offer accessible services between Beijing (PKX) and San Francisco (SFO). Passengers with disabilities will enjoy wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, and dedicated support for passengers with mobility challenges. Moreover, it's important to inform the airline of any specific needs or requirements you may have to ensure they can provide appropriate assistance.

Your guide to booking Beijing 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 Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Thursday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $1,024, about $479 less than Thursday fares (32% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 28% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Beijing to San Francisco trip for March. Fares historically average $720 round-trip in that month - typically $837 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Air China. Over the past three months, 84% of Air China flights from Beijing to San Francisco arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 81%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 52m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $715 round-trip on this route - about $658 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to San Francisco Airport.

    • Grand Hyatt At Sfo
  • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) are both major airports serving Beijing, China. However, PEK is a major international hub, serving numerous airlines and offering a comprehensive network of international and domestic routes. On the other hand, PKK boasts modern architecture, advanced technology, and a highly efficient layout.
  • Air China, United Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Cathay Pacific are parents’ favorites between Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). They provide family services such as priority boarding, child-friendly meals, and entertainment options for children. However, these services may vary depending on the specific flight, aircraft, and individual airline policies.
  • Several airlines operating between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), such as Air China, United Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, offer seat upgrades. Those interested in changing from Economy to Business or First-Class cabins can check with customer service or wait for the announcement when boarding.
  • Passengers traveling aboard Air China, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or American Airlines from Beijing (PKE) to San Francisco (SFO) will be glad to note that they can bring their furry friends into the cabin. However, they only allow small domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, which must be locked in cages that can fit under the seat in front of you.
  • The Beijing Daxing Airport Express is a dedicated train service that connects the city center to PKX. It offers a direct and convenient transportation option. You can take the Airport Express from Caoqiao, Dongzhimen, or the Beijing West Railway Station. The fare is typically lower than other modes of transportation, making it an affordable choice.

Prefer to fly direct from Beijing to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

Beijing to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Beijing

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Beijing to San Francisco

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