SFO - BJS

$456 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Beijing - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$939
Typical prices: $942-$1,558
ANA
Thu 1/18Sun 2/11
SFO - PEK • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$965
Typical prices: $1,117-$1,809
United Airlines
Wed 11/28Fri 12/14
SFO - PEK • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and Air China. Average duration is 14h 26m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 9% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 77% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 24 weeks in advance save around 32% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 27% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $733 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 17h 54m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Beijing!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Beijing (SFO-BJS)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Francisco to Beijing

Mon, Jan 18 - Thu, Feb 11
ANA Logo
10:14 am - 12:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
34h 01m2 stops Vancouver Intl Tokyo Haneda
ANA Logo
8:25 am - 10:59 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
30h 34m2 stops Tokyo Haneda Los Angeles
$939ANA
Thu, Jan 21 - Thu, Feb 11
ANA Logo
10:14 am - 12:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
34h 01m2 stops Vancouver Intl Tokyo Haneda
ANA Logo
8:25 am - 10:59 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
30h 34m2 stops Tokyo Haneda Los Angeles
$939ANA
Mon, Nov 23 - Tue, Dec 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:33 pm - 3:50 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
27h 17m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:40 pm - 6:07 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
20h 27m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$939Multiple Airlines
Sat, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 26
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:20 pm - 12:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
29h 05m1 stop Incheon Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:40 am - 1:20 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
20h 40m1 stop Incheon Intl
$939Multiple Airlines
Thu, Feb 25 - Mon, Mar 8
Asiana Airlines Logo
11:00 pm - 4:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
25h 25m1 stop Incheon Intl
Asiana Airlines Logo
3:35 pm - 2:30 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
14h 55m1 stop Incheon Intl
$942Asiana Airlines
Fri, Mar 5 - Sun, Mar 14
Asiana Airlines Logo
11:00 pm - 2:10 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
23h 10m1 stop Incheon Intl
Asiana Airlines Logo
10:50 am - 2:30 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
19h 40m1 stop Incheon Intl
$942Asiana Airlines
Mon, Jan 11 - Thu, May 20
Air Canada Logo
8:34 am - 6:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
41h 46m2 stops Calgary Vancouver Intl
Air Canada Logo
6:45 pm - 12:38 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
32h 53m2 stops Vancouver Intl Edmonton
$942Air Canada
Mon, Jan 18 - Mon, May 24
Air Canada Logo
8:34 am - 6:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-PEK Beijing Capital
41h 46m2 stops Calgary Vancouver Intl
Air Canada Logo
6:45 pm - 12:38 pmPEK  Beijing Capital-SFO San Francisco
32h 53m2 stops Vancouver Intl Edmonton
$942Air Canada
Thu, Apr 29 - Sun, May 16
China Southern Logo
12:35 am - 5:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-PKX Beijing Daxing Intl
26h 20m1 stop Wuhan
China Southern Logo
7:30 pm - 8:40 pmPKX  Beijing Daxing Intl-SFO San Francisco
40h 10m2 stops Guangzhou Baiyun Wuhan
$944China Southern
Mon, Jan 25 - Wed, Feb 17
China Southern Logo
11:35 pm - 12:00 pmSFO  San Francisco-PKX Beijing Daxing Intl
44h 25m2 stops Wuhan Guangzhou Baiyun
China Southern Logo
9:30 pm - 7:40 pmPKX  Beijing Daxing Intl-SFO San Francisco
38h 10m2 stops Guangzhou Baiyun Wuhan
$957China Southern
Booking Insights

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

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Beijing typically range from $942 to $1,558. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $939, on ANA.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Beijing flight route?

San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is the cheapest San Francisco to Beijing route, averaging $1,188 round-trip. Other San Francisco to Beijing routes average $1,417, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Beijing. It’s 10% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 7% higher.

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

•March is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Beijing at $873 round-trip.
•December ($1,796) and June ($1,489) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 105% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Beijing the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Beijing are cheapest 24 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 32% 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 San Francisco to Beijing

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

Robert Schrader

Expert on Air China

One of the web's original travel bloggers, Robert launched his first site Leave Your Daily Hell in 2009. Since then, he's expanded into destination niche sites (one each for Japan, Thailand and Taiwan), in addition to having written for the inflight magazines of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Overall, he's visited nearly 100 countries, and flies business as often as possible.

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.

Daniel Scheffler

Daniel Scheffler

Expert on PEK

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, podcaster, and producer. Born in Africa, bred in Europe and now living in America he has traveled to 140 countries (and all 50 U.S. states). Plus he has stayed at over 2500 hotels across the globe. His original shows Everywhere and Without Maps (available on Spotify) showcase his beliefs, travel is about humanity and sharing that beauty. And thus it reminds you that you shouldn’t believe everything you think.

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 San Francisco to Beijing flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$456
Beat the crowds with an average 52% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 85% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Beijing Capital Airport

When to book flights from San Francisco to Beijing

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Beijing based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Francisco to Beijing 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 San Francisco to Beijing?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 10:45 am and lands at 1:11 am
    • Latest: departs at 12:00 pm and lands at 2:26 am.

    The flight takes about 14h 26m.

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

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to Beijing:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

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

    A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Beijing takes 14h 26m, covering 5,910 miles.

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

    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 much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Beijing flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Beijing range from $942 to $1,558, with an average of $1,195 over the past 12 months. Anything below $942 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 14% above the $1,195 route average. Book 24 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $733 round-trip via Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL), compared to $1,370 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $75–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Beijing flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 0%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Beijing are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $472, which is 28% below the typical average for this route.

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

    Flights from San Francisco to Beijing usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and may arrive at several airports in Beijing area, including Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing Intl (PKX).

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

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Francisco to Beijing?

    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 San Francisco to Beijing route, 25% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 14m.

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

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

    • Incheon Intl (ICN) - 41% of one-stop connections
    • Hong Kong Intl (HKG) - 30% of one-stop connections
    • Vancouver Intl (YVR) - 9% of one-stop connections
    • Tokyo Haneda (HND) - 5% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 16% on flights from San Francisco to Beijing. Sunday is the cheapest departure day at $1,086 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,284, a difference of $198.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • What airlines fly from San Francisco to Beijing?

    2 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and Beijing. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Air China

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

    Flying via Vancouver Intl (YVR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 17h 54m, compared with 18h 05m via Incheon Intl (ICN) and 18h 06m via Tokyo Haneda (HND).

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

    Beijing is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco (China Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Beijing?

    Some of the most popular sights in Beijing are Forbidden City, Tiananmen and Silk Street Market. These are among the most viewed places in Beijing on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to Beijing flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Singapore Airlines: offers free seat selection
    • Asiana Airlines: 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 San Francisco to Beijing 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
    • Air China: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Singapore Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

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

  • Which travel documents do I need to fly from San Francisco to Beijing?

    To be allowed entry to Beijing, you must provide your original passport with at least six months of validity beyond the expected departure date from the country. In addition, you’ll also need a visa. It is worth mentioning that the country doesn’t provide travelers with visas upon arrival, so it is up to you to ensure that you have completed the application process before leaving your home country. There is also a ¥20,000 ($2,956) currency restriction for entry and exit.

  • Which airlines have a lounge in SFO Airport?

    San Francisco International Airport has nine lounges. Air France and KLM have a joint lounge in Concourse A of the International Terminal, while United Airlines has two United Clubs in Terminal 3 and near Gates E4 and F11, as well as another one on Concourse G of the International Terminal. The only other airline with a lounge on the International Terminal is Virgin Atlantic with their Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which can be found on Level 5 past Checkpoint A.

  • How do I get from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) to Beijing?

    There are four ways through which you can get to the city center from PKX Airport: taxi, airport shuttle, Intercity Railway, and Airport Subway Line. The taxis are available round the clock and take about an hour from the airport to the city center. On the other hand, the shuttle bus runs from 7:30 am to 11 pm and can be accessed from the airport terminal station. The Intercity Railway and Subway Line provide the quickest mode of transport from the airport to Beijing and take about 20min.

  • Which is the best airport to land in Beijing?

    Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) was only completed in mid-2019 and therefore has modern amenities. However, it is significantly further from the city center, standing at 40 miles away compared to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which is only 20 miles away. Therefore, this is the preferred one of the two airports if you want to enjoy the best facilities and amenities.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Beijing 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 Sunday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Sunday flights average $1,086, about $198 less than Friday fares (15% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 24 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 32% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Beijing trip for March. Fares historically average $873 round-trip in that month - typically $923 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with United Airlines. Over the past three months, 77% of United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Beijing arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 75%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 14m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport (MNL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $733 round-trip on this route - about $637 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, hotels close to the airport you're flying into can be a convenient option.

    Near Beijing Capital Airport

    • Ramada by Wyndham Beijing Airport
    • Capital Airport International Hotel
    • Crowne Plaza Beijing International Airport By IHG

    Near Beijing Daxing Intl Airport

    • Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Daxing International Airport
    • Fairfield by Marriott Beijing Daxing Airport
    • Radisson Hotel, Beijing Daxing Airport
  • Two major airports serve the San Francisco area, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is about 12 miles away. SFO has an advantage over OAK in terms of amenities, but OAK is cheaper and has shorter queues as it is less busy.
  • When departing from SFO Airport, ensure that you arrive at least three or four hours before the scheduled departure time. This should allow you to go through the long security lines without the risk of missing your flight.
  • If you’re in a rush and need to get to the airport as quickly as possible, consider taking a taxi from downtown SFO. They are easily available and take only about 12min to the airport.
  • Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) provides free wheelchairs and strollers to all travelers who require special assistance. To get these free services, ensure that you inform your airline or travel agent at least 48h before the flight.
  • When leaving your car at SFO, consider the offsite parking garages. They often charge up to 60% lower rates compared to the parking lots in the airport and even provide a free shuttle to the airport terminal.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Beijing?

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

Direct departures

San Francisco to Beijing

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Beijing to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

Air China,United Airlines

Air China,United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Beijing

Complete your trip to Beijing with a hotel stay or car rental