CMH - SFO

$101 Find Cheap Flights from Columbus to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$380
Typical prices: $357-$535
Frontier
Mon 12/24Mon 12/31
CMH - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$419
Typical prices: $378-$569
United Airlines
Mon 2/5Thu 2/15
CMH - SFO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 5h 28m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 41% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 11% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $286 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 39m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Columbus to San Francisco (CMH-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Columbus to San Francisco

Thu, Dec 24 - Thu, Dec 31
Frontier Logo
4:33 pm - 12:35 amCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
11h 02m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:15 am - 7:06 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
9h 51m2 stops Denver Intl Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$380Frontier
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
Frontier Logo
10:28 am - 9:44 amCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
26h 16m2 stops Orlando Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
10:44 pm - 4:47 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
15h 03m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$381Frontier
Fri, Nov 13 - Mon, Nov 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:40 am - 4:01 pmCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
12h 21m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:02 am - 3:26 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
6h 24m1 stop Denver Intl
$381Multiple Airlines
Sat, Nov 21 - Tue, Nov 24
American Airlines Logo
6:00 pm - 11:10 pmCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
8h 10m1 stop Charlotte Douglas
American Airlines Logo
11:43 pm - 11:01 amSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
8h 18m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$382American Airlines
Mon, Nov 23 - Tue, Nov 24
American Airlines Logo
5:30 am - 10:25 amCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
7h 55m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
11:43 pm - 11:01 amSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
8h 18m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$382American Airlines
Wed, Dec 2 - Sun, Dec 6
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:10 am - 9:31 amCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
30h 21m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:30 am - 6:16 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
8h 46m1 stop Denver Intl
$382Multiple Airlines
Fri, Nov 20 - Tue, Dec 1
Southwest Logo
10:50 am - 4:50 pmCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
9h 00m1 stop San Diego
Southwest Logo
11:55 am - 12:10 amSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
9h 15m2 stops San Diego Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$383Southwest
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
Delta Logo
2:10 pm - 5:03 pmCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
29h 53m1 stop Austin Bergstrom
Delta Logo
10:00 am - 1:30 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
24h 30m1 stop Austin Bergstrom
$384Delta
Mon, Nov 23 - Wed, Dec 2
Delta Logo
6:40 am - 12:22 pmCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
8h 42m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
5:59 pm - 1:30 pmSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
16h 31m1 stop Austin Bergstrom
$386Delta
Wed, Dec 16 - Sun, Dec 20
Southwest Logo
6:10 am - 11:10 amCMH  Columbus-SFO San Francisco
8h 00m1 stop Denver Intl
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 1:55 amSFO  San Francisco-CMH Columbus
9h 30m2 stops Hollywood Burbank Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$388Southwest
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Columbus Airport 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco typically range from $357 to $535. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $380, on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Columbus Airport 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco. It’s 12% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 26% higher.

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

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Columbus Airport to San Francisco at $379 round-trip.
•March ($462) and May ($450) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 21% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 41% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Columbus Airport to San Francisco flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$101
Beat the crowds with an average 40% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 40% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Columbus Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Columbus to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Columbus 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 Columbus Airport 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 7:00 am and lands at 12:28 pm
    • Latest: departs at 3:27 pm and lands at 8:55 pm.

    The flight takes about 5h 28m.

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

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

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

    A nonstop flight from Columbus Airport to San Francisco takes 5h 28m, covering 2,114 miles.

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

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

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

    Round-trip flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco range from $357 to $535, with an average of $426 over the past 12 months. Anything below $357 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 48% above the $426 route average. Book 13 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $286 round-trip via Orlando (MCO), compared to $458 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$80 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737-800 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Columbus Airport to San Francisco flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 0%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

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

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $380 to $1,878. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Columbus Airport to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $156, which is 41% 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

    Flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco usually depart from Columbus (CMH) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

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

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 31% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 13% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 6% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 31% on flights from Columbus Airport to San Francisco. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $376 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $540, a difference of $164.

    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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Columbus Airport and San Francisco.

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

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 39m, compared with 7h 07m via Salt Lake City (SLC) and 7h 08m via Chicago Midway (MDW).

  • What is the time difference between Columbus Airport and San Francisco?

    San Francisco is 3 hours behind Columbus Airport (Pacific Time vs Eastern 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 Columbus Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Columbus Airport to San Francisco 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 include bags at no extra cost on Columbus Airport 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

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

  • Which kind of flights are available from Columbus to San Francisco?

    Flights from CMH to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) travel direct and connecting routes. United Airlines provide non-stop flights from CMH to SFO. Frontier Airlines provide one-stop journeys on the way with layovers at Denver, while United Airlines have one-stop flights from CMH and SFO with a layover at Washington, Chicago, and Newark. American Airlines also provide one-stop flights with layovers in Dallas.

  • How many terminals does SFO have?

    SFO has four terminals. They include Terminals 1, 2, 3, and International Terminals. Walkways connect the terminals on the landside area. You can also take the Air Train, which provides regular rides between the terminals. In addition, the AirTrain Red Line connects all terminals, airport garages, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)station. The AirTrain Blue line provides rides between terminals, garages, and Car Rental Center. They operate every 4min.

  • Does SFO have a hotel?

    Yes. Some off-site airports provide shuttle rides from the airport to their locations. SFO provides nap rooms at the FreshenUp area inside the International Terminal. If you have late-night arrivals, spend time inside the rooms after a long-haul flight. You can also take the Air Train to Grand Hyatt at SFO.

  • Are there car rentals in SFO?

    Yes. SFO offers car rental agencies at the airport's Car Rental Center. Rental agencies include Fox, Hertz, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dolla, Enterprise, National, and Thrifty. You can get to the facility via the Air Train Blue Line to the 1st and 4th floors.

Your guide to booking Columbus Airport 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 Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $376, about $164 less than Sunday fares (30% 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 41% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Columbus Airport to San Francisco trip for January. Fares historically average $379 round-trip in that month - typically $83 less than the most expensive month, which is March (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 layover option averages $286 round-trip on this route - about $172 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
  • Columbus houses the Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK). When taking flights from Columbus to San Francisco, your flight departs from John Glenn International Airport (CMH). CMH is a bigger airport than LCK and offers the most passenger flights. It also provides more amenities than LCK. In addition, travelers get more transfer options to and from the airport.
  • When arriving at CMH, consider reaching at least 1h 30min for domestic and 2h for international flights. This way, you get enough time to go through screenings even when you find a long security line. You can also select your seat if you arrive early at the airport.
  • CMH features a modern terminal with three dozen restaurants and shops. It also provides a business center, a children's play area, currency exchange services, information desks, a meditation room, and mobile charging ports. It also provides postal services, mail services, and smoking areas.
  • If you are traveling with a baby, CMH offers baby care rooms for changing and nursing your baby. They feature baby changing tables, sinks, diaper bins, and enough room for nursing mothers and their infants. You can find it at the baggage claim area near Carousel 1, Concourse A near Gate A2, and Concourse B near Gate B29.
  • While waiting for your flight, you can view several artworks from local artists on display throughout the airport. You can also pass the time at the Games Room, which offers a coin-operated arcade. You can find the games room at Concourse C across gate B33 which operates 24h.

Prefer to fly direct from Columbus to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

Columbus 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

Direct returns

San Francisco to Columbus

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 Columbus to San Francisco

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