MSN - SFO

$158 Find Cheap Flights from Madison to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$373
Typical prices: $379-$567
American Airlines
Sun 12/9Wed 12/12
MSN - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$158
Typical prices: $233-$412
Multiple Airlines
Fri 11/16
MSN - SFO • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
There are currently no direct flights between Madison and San Francisco. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 25 weeks in advance save around 39% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 6% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $288 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 46m (one-way)
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We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Madison to San Francisco (MSN-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Madison to San Francisco

Wed, Dec 9 - Sat, Dec 12
American Airlines Logo
7:15 am - 4:12 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
10h 57m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
American Airlines Logo
5:35 am - 5:00 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
9h 25m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$373American Airlines
Wed, Dec 2 - Wed, Dec 9
American Airlines Logo
7:07 am - 2:10 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
9h 03m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
American Airlines Logo
8:36 am - 9:10 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
10h 34m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$377American Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Sun, Dec 13
American Airlines Logo
7:15 am - 4:12 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
10h 57m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
American Airlines Logo
1:54 pm - 12:08 amSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
8h 14m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$377American Airlines
Sat, Feb 6 - Wed, Feb 10
United Airlines Logo
6:05 pm - 11:23 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
7h 18m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
5:00 am - 1:28 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
6h 28m1 stop Denver Intl
$379United Airlines
Fri, Jan 22 - Mon, Jan 25
United Airlines Logo
10:45 am - 3:35 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
6h 50m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
2:00 pm - 11:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
7h 15m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$379United Airlines
Fri, Mar 19 - Fri, Mar 26
Delta Logo
7:55 pm - 11:59 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
6h 04m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
11:59 pm - 10:15 amSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
8h 16m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$379Delta
Thu, Mar 18 - Tue, Mar 23
Delta Logo
7:55 pm - 11:59 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
6h 04m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
10:45 pm - 8:50 amSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
8h 05m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$379Delta
Sun, Apr 4 - Tue, Apr 13
Delta Logo
7:55 pm - 11:59 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
6h 04m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 4:37 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
8h 37m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$379Delta
Mon, Nov 16 - Thu, Nov 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:40 pm - 4:02 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
27h 22m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:25 pm - 9:58 amSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
38h 33m2 stops Denver Intl Tampa
$488Multiple Airlines
Mon, Nov 16 - Wed, Nov 18
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:40 pm - 2:20 pmMSN  Madison Truax Field-SFO San Francisco
25h 40m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:20 pm - 1:36 pmSFO  San Francisco-MSN Madison Truax Field
23h 16m2 stops Denver Intl Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$520Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

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

Round-trip flights from Madison to San Francisco typically range from $379 to $567. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $373, on American Airlines.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Madison to San Francisco. It’s 9% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 24% higher.

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

•April is the cheapest month to fly from Madison to San Francisco at $442 round-trip.
•March ($536) and November ($529) 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 Madison to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Madison to San Francisco are cheapest 25 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 39% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Madison to San Francisco flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$158
Beat the crowds with an average 18% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 20% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Madison to San Francisco

When to book flights from Madison to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Madison 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 Madison to San Francisco flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

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

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Madison to San Francisco:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

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

    A nonstop flight from Madison to San Francisco takes 00m, covering 1,767 miles.

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

    Round-trip flights from Madison to San Francisco range from $379 to $567, with an average of $471 over the past 12 months. Anything below $379 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 19% above the $471 route average. Book 25 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $80–$80 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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

    One-way fares from Madison to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $234, which is 25% 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 Madison to San Francisco?

    Flights from Madison to San Francisco usually depart from Madison Truax Field (MSN) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

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

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 41% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 30% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 12% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 10% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 27% on flights from Madison to San Francisco. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $430 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $586, a difference of $156.

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

    Flying via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 46m, compared with 6h 50m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) and 7h 05m via Denver Intl (DEN).

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

    San Francisco is 2 hours behind Madison (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.

  • What liquids can I carry when traveling with United Airlines?

    Like other American carriers, United Airlines adheres to TSA liquid carry-on rules. On your United Airlines flight to SFO, you can bring liquids, gels, and sprays onboard your cabin, provided they are stored in containers with a maximum capacity of 3.4 oz. The containers must be placed in a quart-size, transparent, resealable plastic bag.

  • Can I carry my baby on my lap when traveling with Delta Air Lines?

    If your child is under two, you may travel with him/her on your lap for free. Although a boarding pass is not required for your baby, you must add an infant in your arms to your ticket. Only one infant per adult is allowed on the plane, meaning if you have two, the older one must sit in his own seat, fitted with a child safety seat.

  • Which towns are accessible from San Francisco International Airport?

    The towns near SFO are Millbrae, San Bruno, Hillsborough, South San Francisco, San Mateo, East Bay Pacifica, Daly City, and Burlingame. BART Rail Connect is one of the best public means to get to San Mateo and East Bay. To get to other cities, it’s in your best interest to check if it is served by SamTrans bus.

  • Can I rent a car at San Francisco International Airport?

    Yes, you can, since this airport features counters for Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, National, SIXT, Thrifty, and Dollar. The counters are within the Car Rental Center, accessible from the terminals via the Air Train Blue Line.

Your guide to booking Madison 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 Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $430, about $156 less than Monday fares (27% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 25 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 39% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Madison to San Francisco trip for April. Fares historically average $442 round-trip in that month - typically $94 less than the most expensive month, which is March (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
  • To get to Truax Field (MSN) from Madison, take a taxi or board a metro transit bus. Consider using a cab when looking for the fastest way to get to the airport. On the other hand, when looking for a more convenient and cheaper means of transport, use the metro transit bus. The buses depart from W Johnson & N Park station and arrive at Terminal Door 6 station.
  • When flying from MSN to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), your layover will be determined by the airline you use. You will stop over at Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL) if you take a one-stop Delta Air Lines flight and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) if you hop on a single-stop American Airlines flight. If you board a two-stop United Airlines flight, your layovers will be at Denver (DEN) and Salt Lake City (SLC).
  • If you want to travel with an eco-friendly partner, consider traveling with American Airlines. To reduce its carbon footprint, the airline has implemented effective waste and recycling programs. For instance, every year, it recycles at least 21,000 lbs of aluminum cans that result from its onboard services. It has also revamped its fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft and increased its use of electricity from renewable sources.
  • When traveling with United Airlines, you can carry one carry-on bag and one personal item for free. The carry-on bag must easily fit in the overhead compartment and not exceed measurements of 9 × 13.7 × 22 inches. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and be no bigger than 9 × 10 × 17 inches.
  • You can count on having a smooth experience at MSN if you have limited mobility. It has accessible parking spots in all parking areas, ramps to all its public areas, elevators on the terminal side of each level, a wheelchair system available if you contact your airline for arrangements, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. To aid visually impaired travelers, it boasts an app service that aids in independent navigation.

More options for your flight from Madison to San Francisco

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