LON - SFO

$484 Find Cheap Flights from London to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$593
Typical prices: $620-$906
SWISS, Brussels Airlines
Sun 10/21Mon 10/22
LHR - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$595
Typical prices: $628-$927
Air France
Tue 11/20Fri 11/30
LHR - SFO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
BA Premium Economy adds bags and legroom; Lufthansa adds an extra checked bag.
Virgin Economy Delight adds legroom and priority; Heathrow arrive early for security.
Expert advice
+1
Expert advice
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Average duration is 11h 05m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 4% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 16 weeks in advance save around 20% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 25% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $536 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 14h 07m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
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We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from London to San Francisco (LON-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from London to San Francisco

Thu, Oct 22 - Thu, Nov 5
SWISS Logo
9:25 am - 4:15 pmLGW  London Gatwick-SFO San Francisco
14h 50m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
7:25 pm - 5:50 pmSFO  San Francisco-LGW London Gatwick
14h 25m1 stop Zurich
$593SWISS
Mon, Oct 5 - Mon, Oct 12
Lufthansa Logo
8:25 pm - 2:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
26h 05m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
12:55 pm - 7:25 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 30mnonstop
$594Lufthansa
Sat, Oct 24 - Fri, Nov 6
SWISS Logo
6:00 am - 4:35 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
18h 35m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
7:25 pm - 9:40 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
18h 15m1 stop Zurich
$594SWISS
Wed, Sep 23 - Thu, Oct 8
Virgin Atlantic Logo
11:30 am - 10:21 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
18h 51m2 stops Paris Charles de Gaulle Los Angeles Los Angeles
Virgin Atlantic Logo
2:40 pm - 5:35 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
18h 55m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$595Virgin Atlantic
Fri, Oct 30 - Sun, Nov 15
Virgin Atlantic Logo
8:25 pm - 7:42 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
30h 17m2 stops Amsterdam Schiphol Los Angeles Los Angeles
Virgin Atlantic Logo
6:00 am - 7:05 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
17h 05m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$595Virgin Atlantic
Fri, Nov 20 - Mon, Nov 30
Air France Logo
11:50 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mnonstop
Air France Logo
4:40 pm - 10:55 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 15mnonstop
$595Air France
Wed, Oct 7 - Wed, Oct 14
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
1:45 pm - 2:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
32h 45m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
4:35 pm - 5:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
17h 10m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
$595TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Wed, Sep 23 - Tue, Sep 29
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
4:25 pm - 2:30 pmLGW  London Gatwick-SFO San Francisco
30h 05m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
TAP AIR PORTUGAL Logo
4:20 pm - 9:45 amSFO  San Francisco-LGW London Gatwick
33h 25m1 stop Lisbon Humberto Delgado
$595TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Mon, Oct 5 - Sun, Oct 11
Lufthansa Logo
8:25 pm - 2:30 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
26h 05m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
4:45 pm - 11:10 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 25mnonstop
$595Lufthansa
Tue, Jan 12 - Tue, Feb 2
Air France Logo
11:50 am - 2:50 pmLHR  London Heathrow-SFO San Francisco
11h 00mnonstop
Air France Logo
4:40 pm - 10:55 amSFO  San Francisco-LHR London Heathrow
10h 15mnonstop
$597Air France
Booking Insights

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

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

What is the cheapest London to San Francisco flight route?

There's little price difference between London to San Francisco routes. They average around $738 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to San Francisco, it is 6% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 5% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from London to San Francisco at $556 round-trip.
  • December ($868) and July ($816) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 56% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from London to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from London to San Francisco are cheapest 16 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 20% 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 London to San Francisco

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

Marisa Garcia

Expert on Iberia

Marisa knows planes inside and out, spending 16 years working on aircraft in hangars at airports around the world. She is an aviation industry expert, specialized in airline interiors and regulations. Ten years ago, she pivoted to journalism. She shares her insights in leading aviation, travel, and business publications and on her site FlightChic.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and Delta

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.

Duncan Madden

Duncan Madden

Expert on British Airways and LHR

Duncan is a freelance travel writer, copywriter and book author in constant search of travel stories and the perpetual sensation of being on holiday. He’s never happier than when on a dusty trail in search of empty waves or ducking under the piste tape in search of snowbound solitude. British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. His first book, Found in Translation, explores the etymologies and stories of country names around the world and is out now.

Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on Lufthansa

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Laura Ratliff

Laura Ratliff

Expert on Virgin Atlantic

Laura Ratliff is a New York-based writer and editor. She lives in downtown Brooklyn with her husband and their beloved dogs. Originally from Texas, she now considers New York City her home. She typically spends more than 200,000 miles on a plane each year and stays in plenty of hotels.

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 London to San Francisco flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$484
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 25% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 10% increase in price.
Flight from London Stansted Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from London to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from London 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

Flights from London to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from London to San Francisco 
ManyiFlew with British Airways-Jun 2026
London airport is huge - it took be an hour to transfer from one gate to another gate in the same terminal. Plan accordingly.
AntonFlew with United Airlines-Feb 2026
United has a cool arrival lounge in london but it is a bit hard to find, after customs look left
AlastairFlew with British Airways-Feb 2025
Make sure your free checked luggage is for outward and return flights.
Verified travelerFlew with United Airlines-Sep 2024
Download all your music. Add shows and movies to your queue. Bring short so you can relax. Bring long charger cords.
Verified travelerFlew with American Airlines-Mar 2024
Heathrow is vast, allow plenty of time to drop bags and go through security. At San Francisco the immigration takes a bit of time and we had to wait around 1.5hrs, bare this in mind when booking car rental. The is a shuttle train from the airport to the car rental area which is very slick and efficient.
Ana-MariaFlew with Iberia-Mar 2024
In London triple check your flight they have multiple leaving for the same destination once - it is easy to get them confused

Your London to San Francisco flight questions, answered

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

  • Is there a rail service linking San Francisco airport to the city centre?

    The BART rail service links San Francisco airport with the city centre, running from 8am to midnight every day, with a frequency of every 20 mins. The BART also links the airport to the East Bay and San Mateo County. The SFO BART Station is located at the International Terminal in departures. To reach it from other terminals you can take the SFO AirTrain which links all terminals to each other. You can purchase a ticket at the BART station.

  • What bus services are available at San Francisco airport?

    SamTrans buses link San Francisco airport to the city centre, Palo Alto and San Mateo County. Lines stopping at the airport are SFO, ECR, 292, 397 and 398. It’s a 24-hour bus service, and you can hop on outside of Arrivals at Terminal 2 and 3, outside of International Terminal Level 1 and Curbside.

  • Are there any onsite airport hotels available at San Francisco airport?

    There are nap rooms available inside San Francisco airport, in the international terminal which are open 24 hours. The rate is $40 USD (about 32 GBP) per hour or $120 USD (about 95 GBP) for 8 hours. Alternatively, there are 5 hotels all within 5 minutes from the airport, and all offering free airport shuttle service.

  • Where can I have a shower at San Francisco airport?

    For a refreshing shower after a long flight from London to San Francisco, head to Freshen Up which is located in International Terminal level G. They are open 24 hours, and their rates start from $25 USD (about 20 GBP) for a Deluxe shower, which is a 30-minute shower and includes a towel, soap, shampoo, and other amenities on demand such as a hair dryer.

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

    Among airlines operating London to San Francisco flights:

    • Lufthansa: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • British Airways: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Virgin Atlantic: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • KLM: 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 London to San Francisco?

    3 airlines operate flights between London and San Francisco. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:
    • United Airlines
    • British Airways
    • Virgin Atlantic

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

    Flights from London to San Francisco may depart from several airports in London area, including London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Southend (SEN) and London Stansted (STN). Flights usually arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

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

    • Lufthansa: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Virgin Atlantic: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy 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 London to San Francisco?

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

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $536 round-trip via Orlando (MCO), compared to $751 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $51–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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

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

    • Dublin (DUB) - 33% of one-stop connections
    • Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS) - 18% of one-stop connections
    • Kastrup Copenhagen (CPH) - 15% of one-stop connections
    • Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) - 7% of one-stop connections

    Dublin (DUB) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 11% on the London to San Francisco route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $700 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $786, a difference of $86. 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 from London 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 London to San Francisco route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 18 minutes.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on London to San Francisco flights, with 51% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 33%, evening flights for 16%, 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.

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

    A nonstop flight from London to San Francisco takes 11h 05m, covering 5,358 miles.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 10:05 am and lands at 9:10 pm
    • Latest: departs at 6:30 pm and lands at 5:35 am.

    The flight takes about 11h 05m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 13% above the route average of $744. Book 16 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London 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 are flight prices from London to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from London to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $486, which is 28% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does Virgin Atlantic’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on London to San Francisco flights?

    Virgin Atlantic is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while United Airlines has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on London to San Francisco flights are:

    • Virgin Atlantic: 89% on time
    • United Airlines: 88% on time
    • British Airways: 86% on time

    Overall, flights on this route are on time 88% of the time on average.

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

    Morning 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 layover airport from London to San Francisco?

    Flying via Dublin (DUB) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 14h 07m, compared with 14h 20m via Denver Intl (DEN) and 14h 44m via Salt Lake City (SLC).

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

    San Francisco is 8 hours behind London (Pacific Time vs British 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 London to San Francisco flight?

    Round-trip flights from London to San Francisco range from $620 to $906, with an average of $744 over the past 12 months. Anything below $620 counts as a good deal.

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

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

Your guide to booking London 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 Thursday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average $700 - about $86 less than Sunday (11% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 16 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 20% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London to San Francisco trip for February. Fares historically average $556 round-trip in that month - typically $312 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Virgin Atlantic is the strongest pick on this route. 89% of Virgin Atlantic flights from London to San Francisco arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 88%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 18 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • 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 $536 round-trip on this route - about $214 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
  • There are direct flights from London to San Francisco with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and United airlines. All airlines offer a comfortable leg room of about 79 cm in average, and all offer on-demand video to keep passengers entertained. Virgin Atlantic and United airlines also have Wi-Fi available on board for a fee.
  • If you are flying with Air France or KLM airlines, you can head to their dedicated airline lounges in San Francisco airport for a bit of quiet space, both located in the International Terminal. KLM passengers will be happy to know that they also have a lounge in London Heathrow Airport.
  • If you have a bit of time before your flight, head to the San Francisco Airport Aviation Library and Aviation Museum, both located in the International Terminal. They are free of charge to access, and will give you an insight into the world of air transport and commercial aviation.
  • Passengers travelling with children can head to Terminals 2 and 3 for Kids’ Spots play rooms. If you need supplies for babies such as diapers, medicine and food, you will find them available at one of the News kiosks. Stroller and baby equipment are available for rent from Cloud of Goods.
  • There is never a dull moment at San Francisco airport, as you will find about 20 exhibitions on show at any one point throughout the airport. These can include photographs, paintings, installations and video arts. The Video Arts Room is located in the International Terminal and shows short films (10 minutes and less in length) from 5am to midnight, with new films showing every 4 weeks.

Prefer to fly direct from London to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

London to San Francisco

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to London

Monday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,United Airlines,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,United Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from London to San Francisco

Other airlines flying from London to San Francisco