PHL - SFO

$179 Find Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco - Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco departing on 8/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$349
Typical prices: $337-$506
American Airlines
Fri 8/21Sun 8/23
PHL - SFO • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$179
Typical prices: $237-$401
Frontier
Mon 8/3
PHL - SFO • 1 stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
American Main Cabin Extra adds early boarding; United Economy Plus boosts legroom.
Use the American app for entertainment; check United Wi-Fi coverage before buying.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines and United Airlines. Average duration is 6h 09m
Direct flights
Direct flights
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Direct flights
Direct flights
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Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $290 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 38m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 24% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 8% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
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Good to know
Good to know
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco (PHL-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Philadelphia to San Francisco

Fri, Aug 21 - Sun, Aug 23
American Airlines Logo
6:00 pm - 9:09 pm
PHL
-
SFO
6h 09mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
10:12 pm - 6:44 am
SFO
-
PHL
5h 32mnonstop
$349American Airlines
Tue, Jul 28 - Fri, Aug 14
Frontier Logo
11:06 am - 7:52 pm
PHL
-
SFO
11h 46m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
12:54 am - 7:20 pm
SFO
-
PHL
15h 26m
2 stops
$350Frontier
Thu, Nov 5 - Sun, Nov 8
Southwest Logo
5:00 am - 10:30 am
PHL
-
SFO
8h 30m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
11:35 pm - 11:00 am
SFO
-
PHL
8h 25m
1 stop
$351Southwest
Mon, Aug 10 - Tue, Aug 18
Frontier Logo
8:37 pm - 11:38 am
PHL
-
SFO
18h 01m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
12:29 am - 4:37 pm
SFO
-
PHL
13h 08m
1 stop
$352Frontier
Fri, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:45 am - 11:31 pm
PHL
-
SFO
15h 46m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:17 pm - 5:36 am
SFO
-
PHL
7h 19m
1 stop
$353Multiple Airlines
Mon, Aug 24 - Sat, Aug 29
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:55 pm - 12:38 am
PHL
-
SFO
30h 43m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:30 pm - 5:39 am
SFO
-
PHL
7h 09m
1 stop
$354Multiple Airlines
Wed, Nov 4 - Sun, Nov 8
United Airlines Logo
9:55 am - 4:15 pm
PHL
-
SFO
9h 20m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:07 pm - 8:26 pm
SFO
-
PHL
5h 19mnonstop
$355United Airlines
Wed, Aug 12 - Wed, Aug 19
Southwest Logo
3:05 pm - 9:20 pm
PHL
-
SFO
9h 15m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
11:15 am - 11:50 pm
SFO
-
PHL
9h 35m
2 stops
$356Southwest
Sat, Aug 8 - Sat, Aug 8
Frontier Logo
11:06 am - 4:36 pm
PHL
-
SFO
8h 30m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
11:05 pm - 12:22 pm
SFO
-
PHL
10h 17m
1 stop
$357Frontier
Thu, Jul 30 - Sun, Aug 2
Frontier Logo
8:37 pm - 8:54 pm
PHL
-
SFO
27h 17m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 5:39 am
SFO
-
PHL
20h 39m
1 stop
$358Frontier
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Philadelphia to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco departing in August.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

When flying from Philadelphia to San Francisco, you should consider leaving on a Wednesday and avoid Mondays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Philadelphia, you’ll find the best rates on Wednesdays and the most expensive ones on Mondays.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco is September, where tickets cost $384 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and November, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $456 and $455 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 24% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 20 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines and PHL

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on 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.

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.

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$179
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 2% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 9% increase in price.
Flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco

When to book flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Philadelphia 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
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco

  • Are there any shops in Philadelphia International Airport?

    Duty Free by DFASS can be found in Terminal A of Philadelphia International Airport and sells travel essentials, such as magazines, snacks, headphones, and neck pillows. Shine Collectibles is in Terminal C and offers a variety of sports clothing and accessories, while Pennsylvania Market is in Terminal E and has food products from the region.

  • Does Philadelphia International Airport have any places to let animals stretch their legs?

    There is an indoor Pet Port that is placed inside of each terminal in Philadelphia International Airport, as well as outdoor relief zones that are near all Arrivals areas. They are securely fenced in, contain grass and waste disposal bags, and can be used by both pets and service animals.

  • What amenities does San Francisco International Airport offer members of the military?

    In addition to having a USO Center that is open 24h a day, San Francisco International Airport has a limited number of overnight facilities that can be used by members of the military. Most shops and restaurants also offer discounts for both active members and veterans, but an official ID card is required.

  • Do any hotels have a free shuttle service to San Francisco International Airport?

    There are several hotels that offer free shuttles to and from San Francisco International Airport, with most of them picking up and dropping off from the Hotel Courtesy Shuttle zones in the center island in front of all Arrivals terminals. The Aloft Hotel is a chic choice, while the Comfort Suites is a more affordable option. For a hotel that offers long-term lodging options, book a room at the Comfort Suites.

  • What is the best way to get out of San Francisco International Airport )SFO)?

    BART trains are the best transport option for those connecting from SFO to different destinations within Bay Area, including Downtown San Francisco. It takes about 30 minutes to arrive in Downtown San Francisco from the airport.

  • How can I catch up with the earliest flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    Enjoy even more convenience if you want to catch the earliest flight to San Francisco from Philadelphia by spending the night at Philadelphia Airport Marriott. From the hotel, you can easily connect to Terminal B of the airport via Skybridge.

  • Which airlines should I book when flying from Philadelphia to San Francisco with kids?

    Booking American Airlines or United Airlines guarantees you and your kid(s) enhanced comfort throughout the entire journey, thanks to the spacious seats and extra legroom in all cabins. Additionally, American Airlines provides priority boarding for those with young ones.

  • How convenient is landing at San Francisco International Airport late at night?

    If your plane from PHL or TTN touches the ground at SFO late at night, you can spend the remaining hours of the night at one of the nap rooms in Terminals 2 and 3 of the airport. Optionally, you can also connect to a nearby hotel like San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront. The hotel offers 24-hour operational free airport shuttles, making it easier for you to connect to the airport.

  • Which nearby cities can I get to from San Francisco Airport?

    Apart from serving as the gateway to San Francisco for international travelers, SFO also serves a number of nearby cities. Some of the cities you can get to from SFO include Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Palo Alto. Rental cars provide a more flexible way of connecting to these cities from SFO.

  • How do I find rental cars when landing at San Francisco International Airport?

    There is a rental car center located inside the airport on the Fourth Floor, housing a number of popular rental car companies, including Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Dollar. Therefore, renting a car after deplaning at SFO is a hassle-free process.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco was $179 for a one-way ticket and $349 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Philadelphia and San Francisco?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Philadelphia to San Francisco. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    Philadelphia and San Francisco are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Philadelphia from Philadelphia and will be arriving at San Francisco.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    American Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Asiana Airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Philadelphia to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 9 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Philadelphia to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld are the airline alliances operating flights between Philadelphia and San Francisco, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    There are nonstop flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco, Southwest or Delta?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco are Southwest and Delta. With an average price for the route of $458 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. Delta is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $378 and an overall rating of 7.8.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from Philadelphia is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to Philadelphia with another airline. Booking your flights between Philadelphia and SFO can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from Philadelphia up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $278 or less one-way and $401 or less round-trip.
  • To travel as affordably as possible, look for flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco with layovers, such as through Sun Country or United Airlines. If you would rather have a nonstop flight, American and Alaska Airlines offer many choices.
  • If you need to print out some last-minute documents or work on your to-do list, pay a visit to the UPS Store in the Terminal A/B walkway of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). In addition to having several workstations, this store also provides copying services, sells shipping supplies, and has a notary.
  • Have some extra time before your flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco leaves? Philadelphia International Airport has a virtual library that allows travelers to download podcasts, books, and magazines for free. There is also an Observation Deck in each terminal that provides direct views of the airport’s tarmacs.
  • For travelers who would like some help carrying all of their suitcases, make a reservation with an Airport Butler through San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) official website. This service will provide you with an employee to collect your luggage, arrange private transportation, and walk you to your car.
  • If you’re traveling to San Francisco with your little ones, go to the Cloud of Goods store in the main terminal of San Francisco International Airport. In this shop, you can rent important baby equipment, such as car seats and strollers.
  • Flights from Philadelphia to San Francisco depart from either Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) or Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The benefit of departing from PHL is that you have access to several airlines and can get a flight at different times of the day, subject to your schedule. The number of daily flights to San Francisco departing from PHL is higher than TTN. On the other hand, departing from TTN gives you the benefit of enjoying shorter queues at various security checkpoints.
  • Buses provide a convenient and affordable way of getting to Philadelphia International Airport from downtown Philadelphia. Three bus lines, Route 37, Route 108, and Route 115, provide direct connections to the airport terminals from the downtown area. Taxis are the alternative means of transport, especially for those rushing against time.
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the main destination airport for flights from Philadelphia. However, a considerable number of flights arrive at Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJE). It is easier to connect to the San Francisco city center from SFO due to the availability of more transport options. Those landing at OAK or SJE enjoys shorter queues at the baggage claim areas.

Prefer to fly direct from Philadelphia to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Philadelphia to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Philadelphia Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Philadelphia to San Francisco

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Philadelphia

Monday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines,United Airlines

American Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports