DTW - SFO

$188 Find Cheap Flights from Detroit to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$328
Typical prices: $355-$595
Frontier
Tue 11/20Tue 11/27
DTW - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$379
Typical prices: $390-$642
Delta
Mon 12/3Thu 12/6
DTW - SFO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Delta and United Airlines. Average duration is 5h 09m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 12 weeks in advance save around 35% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $253 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 47m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Detroit to San Francisco (DTW-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Detroit to San Francisco

Fri, Nov 20 - Fri, Nov 27
Frontier Logo
5:26 am - 8:25 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
17h 59m1 stop Los Angeles
Frontier Logo
11:41 am - 11:56 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
9h 15m1 stop Los Angeles
$328Frontier
Thu, Oct 15 - Sun, Oct 18
Frontier Logo
8:35 pm - 12:15 amDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
6h 40m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
11:22 am - 3:34 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
49h 12m2 stops San Diego Denver Intl
$329Frontier
Wed, Oct 14 - Sun, Oct 18
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 8:33 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
16h 33m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 5:40 amSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
20h 33m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$331Alaska Airlines
Thu, Oct 15 - Tue, Oct 20
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 11:52 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
19h 52m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:40 am - 5:40 amSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
16h 00m2 stops San Diego Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$331Alaska Airlines
Thu, Dec 3 - Sun, Dec 6
Delta Logo
8:58 pm - 11:23 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
5h 25mnonstop
Delta Logo
1:42 pm - 9:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
4h 33mnonstop
$379Delta
Thu, Oct 15 - Sun, Oct 18
Delta Logo
4:21 pm - 6:17 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
4h 56mnonstop
Delta Logo
10:55 pm - 6:24 amSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
4h 29mnonstop
$379Delta
Sat, Oct 17 - Wed, Oct 21
United Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 9:11 amDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
5h 11mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
10:45 am - 6:37 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
4h 52mnonstop
$379United Airlines
Fri, Oct 23 - Sun, Nov 8
United Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 9:11 amDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
5h 11mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
11:00 pm - 6:42 amSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
4h 42mnonstop
$379United Airlines
Thu, Jan 14 - Sun, Jan 17
American Airlines Logo
6:44 am - 1:27 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
9h 43m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
12:06 pm - 10:49 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
7h 43m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$399American Airlines
Tue, Jan 5 - Tue, Jan 12
American Airlines Logo
6:15 pm - 10:56 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-SFO San Francisco
7h 41m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
8:55 am - 7:50 pmSFO  San Francisco-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
7h 55m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$399American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights

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

How much is a round-trip flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco start at $328. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $355 to $595. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $328 on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco, it is 8% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 26% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco at $389 round-trip.
  • November ($499) and December ($498) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 28% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco are cheapest 12 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 35% 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 Detroit 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 Delta and 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.

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on DTW

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

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 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$188
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 10% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 6% increase in price.
Flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Detroit to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Detroit 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 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flight questions, answered

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

  • Does DTW have a prayer center?

    Yes. There is a religious reflection room for all travelers. It is located on both terminals. This is where you can meditate before departing from the airport. There are no restrictions based on the type of religion you subscribe to. It enables you to interact socially with travelers from a different religious backgrounds.

  • Are pets allowed at DTW Airport?

    Yes. Pets are allowed on request. It has a pet-friendly area where your pet is offered the necessary services. There is a pet therapy program for dogs that helps reduce the fear created by traveling with certified therapy dogs. This is located at Evans and McNamara Terminals.

  • Where can one grab a meal at SFO Airport?

    Several coffee shops are open around the airport. They are located at Terminals 1 and 3. You can have some hot coffee on arrival at the airport. There are vending machines too for those who are in a hurry. They are open between 6 am and 11 pm.

  • Which business facilities are offered at SFO Airport?

    A business center is available for you to get facilities for business events, brand launching, meeting clients and seminars. The center has all the necessary facilities you might need as a business traveler. The Internet allows you to connect to other partners or clients through your mobile device or laptop.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights:

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

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

  • What airlines are available from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    2 airlines operate flights between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and San Francisco. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • Delta
    • United Airlines

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    Flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco usually depart from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights?

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

    • Delta: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

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

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $253 round-trip via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS), compared to $494 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $35–$90 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 Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737-900 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Delta. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A319 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 42% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 18% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 10% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 8% of one-stop connections

    Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 27% on the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $425 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $576, a difference of $151. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How are flight departures from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights, with 34% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 33%, evening flights for 33%, and night flights for 0%.

  • 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.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 7:00 am and lands at 12:09 pm
    • Latest: departs at 8:58 pm and lands at 2:07 am.

    The flight takes about 5h 09m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 30% above the route average of $457. Book 12 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    A nonstop flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco takes 5h 09m, covering 2,072 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County 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.

  • Have flight prices from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County 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 $328 to $1,537. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $207, which is 31% below the typical average for this route.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco?

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 47m, compared with 7h 28m via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and 7h 36m via Chicago Midway (MDW).

  • What is the time difference between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and San Francisco?

    San Francisco is 3 hours behind Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Pacific Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

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

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Thrifty
    · Europcar
    · Dollar
    · Hertz
    · Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flight?

    Round-trip flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco range from $355 to $595, with an average of $457 over the past 12 months. Anything below $355 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights:

    • • Delta
    • • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

Your guide to booking Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $425 - about $151 less than Monday (26% 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 35% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco trip for January. Fares historically average $389 round-trip in that month - typically $110 less than the most expensive month, which is November (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Airport (LAS) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $253 round-trip on this route - about $241 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
  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has a VIP Lounge for the Armed Services. All the military members, veterans, and their families departing from the airport can use the lounge at will. The lounge is referred to as the freedom center. It is located inside Evans Terminal near Gate D17. Here you can have some rest before departing from the airport. It operates daily from 6 am to 11 pm.
  • DTW Airport has nursing rooms for lactating mothers. It is located at the McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal. Baby changing tables are available for the mothers to change clothes and diapers for their babies. Diaper dispensers are also available. The mothers can also breastfeed the baby with a lot of privacy and freedom while seated on comfortable benches.
  • DTW Airport has lounges located at McNamara Terminals. They include Delta Air Lines, Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa Senator Lounge located at the North Terminal. There are excellent foods available to all the departing travelers. Drinks and snacks are also available depending on what you want to serve. Wi-Fi is also available for you to surf the net.
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers facilities for disabled travelers arriving at the airport. They have designated parking areas between all the terminals. Wheelchairs are provided upon request before the day of your arrival at the airport. A ramp is available for you to easily access the place using a wheelchair. Adapted restrooms are also available for you.
  • SFO Airport has car rental facilities located in the car rental center. You can access this through the free AirTrain. The car rental agencies include Alamo, Avis, SIXT, National and Hertz. Courtesy shuttles are also available from companies such as Airport Van Rental, Fox, Nu and Payless. This helps you avoid the stress of looking for a car to use on arrival at the airport.

Prefer to fly direct from Detroit to San Francisco?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County to San Francisco

Monday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Tuesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Wednesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Thursday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Friday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Saturday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Sunday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County

Monday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Tuesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Wednesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Thursday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Friday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Saturday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Sunday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Detroit to San Francisco

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