SFO

$137 Find Cheap Flights from Houston to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$274
Typical prices: $332-$558
Frontier
Wed 12/5Wed 12/12
IAH - SFO • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$337
Typical prices: $357-$594
United Airlines
Mon 2/12Fri 2/16
IAH - SFO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 4h 26m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 5% 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 21 weeks in advance save around 43% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 16% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $279 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 40m (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 Houston to San Francisco

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Houston to San Francisco

Sat, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 12
Frontier Logo
7:00 am - 9:01 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
16h 01m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Ontario
Frontier Logo
4:33 pm - 10:29 amSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
15h 56m2 stops San Diego Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$274Frontier
Sat, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 12
Frontier Logo
9:41 am - 8:08 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
12h 27m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Los Angeles
Frontier Logo
2:22 pm - 11:19 pmSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
6h 57m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$277Frontier
Sat, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 12
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:12 pm - 7:31 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
9h 19m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:29 pm - 1:42 pmSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
17h 13m1 stop Portland
$277Multiple Airlines
Wed, Feb 3 - Mon, Feb 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:25 am - 5:10 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
11h 45m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Los Angeles
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:44 am - 11:28 amSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
23h 44m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$289Multiple Airlines
Mon, Jan 25 - Wed, Feb 3
American Airlines Logo
2:07 pm - 7:22 pmHOU  Houston Hobby-SFO San Francisco
7h 15m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
7:40 am - 4:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-HOU Houston Hobby
7h 05m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$312American Airlines
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
American Airlines Logo
8:19 pm - 12:45 amHOU  Houston Hobby-SFO San Francisco
6h 26m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
6:38 am - 4:38 pmSFO  San Francisco-HOU Houston Hobby
8h 00m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$312American Airlines
Fri, Feb 12 - Tue, Feb 16
United Airlines Logo
4:20 pm - 6:48 pmIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
4h 28mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
4:37 pm - 10:29 pmSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
3h 52mnonstop
$337United Airlines
Mon, Dec 7 - Wed, Dec 9
United Airlines Logo
7:30 am - 9:51 amIAH  Houston George Bush Intcntl-SFO San Francisco
4h 21mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
7:15 am - 1:09 pmSFO  San Francisco-IAH Houston George Bush Intcntl
3h 54mnonstop
$337United Airlines
Thu, Dec 3 - Thu, Dec 10
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 10:05 amHOU  Houston Hobby-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Southwest Logo
1:05 pm - 10:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-HOU Houston Hobby
7h 50m1 stop San Diego
$357Southwest
Tue, Dec 22 - Fri, Dec 25
Southwest Logo
5:15 am - 9:00 amHOU  Houston Hobby-SFO San Francisco
5h 45m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Southwest Logo
1:05 pm - 10:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-HOU Houston Hobby
7h 50m1 stop San Diego
$357Southwest
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Houston 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 Houston to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from Houston to San Francisco typically range from $332 to $558. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $274, on Frontier.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Houston to San Francisco. It’s 7% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 46% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Houston to San Francisco at $355 round-trip.
•March ($469) and September ($464) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 32% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Houston to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Houston to San Francisco are cheapest 21 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 43% 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 Houston to San Francisco

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

John Walton

Expert on IAH

Independent aviation journalist John Walton took his first flight at eight weeks old and hasn’t stopped travelling since. A world-renowned expert in airlines and the passenger experience, he writes in depth on aviation, is a resident expert on travel in Japan and France, and offers a uniquely queer perspective on travelling the world.

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 Houston to San Francisco flights

Low season

December

Cheapest flight

$137
Beat the crowds with an average 23% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 34% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Houston George Bush Intcntl Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Houston to San Francisco

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 5:00 am and lands at 9:26 am
    • Latest: departs at 11:59 pm and lands at 4:25 am.

    The flight takes about 4h 26m.

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

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

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • First Class

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

    A nonstop flight from Houston to San Francisco takes 4h 26m, covering 1,637 miles.

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

    Round-trip flights from Houston to San Francisco range from $332 to $558, with an average of $421 over the past 12 months. Anything below $332 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 46% above the $421 route average. Book 21 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $279 round-trip via Ontario (ONT), compared to $447 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Houston to San Francisco?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating Houston to San Francisco flights. 84% of its flights are on time.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Houston 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.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Houston to San Francisco flights, with 30% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 30%, evening flights for 30%, and night flights for 10%.

  • Have flight prices from Houston 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 $274 to $2,567. That means the highest observed fare was about 9x higher than the lowest one.

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

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

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

    One-way fares from Houston to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $160, which is 37% 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 Houston to San Francisco?

    Flights from Houston to San Francisco may depart from several airports in Houston area, including Houston Hobby (HOU) and Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH). Flights usually arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Houston 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 Houston to San Francisco route, 16% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 38m.

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

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

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 33% of one-stop connections
    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) - 20% of one-stop connections
    • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 8% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 37% on flights from Houston to San Francisco. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $392 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $618, a difference of $226.

    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 Houston to San Francisco?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Houston and San Francisco.

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

    Flying via Dallas Love Field (DAL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 40m, compared with 6h 07m via Austin Bergstrom (AUS) and 6h 08m via San Diego (SAN).

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

    San Francisco is 2 hours behind Houston (Pacific Time vs Central 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 Houston to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Houston 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 Houston 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
    • JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

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

Your guide to booking Houston 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 Friday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Friday flights average $392, about $226 less than Monday fares (37% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 21 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 43% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Houston to San Francisco trip for February. Fares historically average $355 round-trip in that month - typically $114 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 Ontario Airport (ONT) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $279 round-trip on this route - about $169 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

Prefer to fly direct from Houston to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

Houston 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 Houston

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 Houston to San Francisco

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