SFO - PHL

$201 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$359
Typical prices: $359-$565
Frontier
Sat 11/17Sun 11/25
SFO - PHL • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$394
Typical prices: $364-$572
American Airlines
Tue 10/16Wed 10/17
SFO - PHL • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines and United Airlines. Average duration is 5h 26m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 30% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $235 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 22m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Philadelphia!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

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

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Francisco to Philadelphia

Tue, Oct 13 - Sat, Oct 17
Frontier Logo
11:59 pm - 6:15 pmSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
15h 16m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 12:15 amPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
21h 15m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Denver Intl
$359Frontier
Tue, Nov 17 - Wed, Nov 25
Frontier Logo
11:52 pm - 2:13 pmSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
11h 21m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
9:41 pm - 9:58 amPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
15h 17m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$359Frontier
Sat, Oct 31 - Tue, Nov 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 5:38 pmSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
8h 31m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 6:10 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
12h 40m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$359Multiple Airlines
Fri, Dec 4 - Mon, Dec 7
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 5:40 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
19h 40m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:34 am - 3:33 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
9h 59m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$359Multiple Airlines
Mon, Oct 19 - Thu, Oct 29
JetBlue Logo
9:37 pm - 9:32 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
8h 55m1 stop Boston Logan Intl
JetBlue Logo
3:15 pm - 12:25 amPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
12h 10m1 stop Boston Logan Intl
$366JetBlue
Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Nov 10
JetBlue Logo
10:10 pm - 9:37 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
8h 27m1 stop Boston Logan Intl
JetBlue Logo
7:00 am - 1:16 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
9h 16m1 stop Boston Logan Intl
$366JetBlue
Thu, Jan 14 - Mon, Jan 18
Southwest Logo
10:35 am - 8:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
7h 20m1 stop Lambert-St Louis
Southwest Logo
7:00 am - 1:00 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
9h 00m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Wed, Feb 24 - Wed, Mar 3
Southwest Logo
11:50 pm - 10:35 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
7h 45m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
7:35 am - 12:45 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
8h 10m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Fri, Oct 23 - Sat, Oct 24
American Airlines Logo
9:31 pm - 5:57 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
5h 26mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:21 am - 11:42 amPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
6h 21mnonstop
$394American Airlines
Fri, Oct 16 - Sat, Oct 17
American Airlines Logo
9:31 pm - 5:57 amSFO  San Francisco-PHL Philadelphia
5h 26mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:21 am - 11:42 amPHL  Philadelphia-SFO San Francisco
6h 21mnonstop
$394American Airlines
Booking Insights

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

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia typically range from $359 to $565. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $359, on Frontier.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Philadelphia. It’s 12% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 19% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Philadelphia at $389 round-trip.
•December ($534) and November ($505) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 37% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 30% 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 Philadelphia

 
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.

Key details for San Francisco to Philadelphia flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$201
Beat the crowds with an average 50% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 27% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia

When to book flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 11:26 am
    • Latest: departs at 11:59 pm and lands at 5:25 am.

    The flight takes about 5h 26m.

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

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

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

    Prices vary by airline.

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

    A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia takes 5h 26m, covering 2,513 miles.

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

    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 San Francisco to Philadelphia flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia range from $359 to $565, with an average of $455 over the past 12 months. Anything below $359 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 20% above the $455 route average. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $235 round-trip via Orlando (MCO), compared to $459 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 9 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Philadelphia flights, with 51% of flights leaving in that window. Night departures account for 33%, afternoon flights for 16%, and evening flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from San Francisco to Philadelphia 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 $359 to $2,471. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

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

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on San Francisco to Philadelphia flights:

    • American Airlines
    • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Philadelphia are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $210, which is 33% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Philadelphia Airport (PHL)?

    Philadelphia Airport (PHL) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $28 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Payless
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Thrifty
    • Budget

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

    Flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Philadelphia (PHL).

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

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

    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 27% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 15% of one-stop connections
    • Boston Logan Intl (BOS) - 12% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 9% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 27% on flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $401 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $544, a difference of $143.

    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 San Francisco to Philadelphia?

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

    • American Airlines
    • United Airlines

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

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 22m, compared with 7h 38m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 8h via Los Angeles (LAX).

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

    Philadelphia is 3 hours ahead of San Francisco (Eastern Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Philadelphia?

    Some of the most popular sights in Philadelphia are Philadelphia Convention Center, Rittenhouse Square and Philadelphia Stadium. These are among the most viewed places in Philadelphia on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to Philadelphia flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • 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 San Francisco to Philadelphia flights?

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

    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • 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.

  • Is it possible to book a direct flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia?

    There are many daily direct flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia that are offered. You will find that these trips are often serviced by companies such as American Airlines and United Airlines. Many trips also require a layover, and these may be operated by Alaska Airlines.

  • What are my options for traveling from downtown San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport?

    If you choose to drive from downtown San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport, the trip will normally take you between 10 and 15min if there is no extra traffic. You can also use public transportation, like the Red or Yellow train lines, which will take 35 to 40min.

  • How can I go from Philadelphia International Airport to the city center?

    One of the quickest ways to go from Philadelphia International Airport to the city center is by driving, which will normally take you around 15 to 20min without any congestion on the road. Public transportation is an option as well, such as the Airport Line bus, which departs every 20min. If you take this bus, you can expect the trip to last you around 20min in total.

  • Can I rent a car directly from Philadelphia International Airport?

    Philadelphia International Airport has an on-site rental car center that has offices for several different rental companies, including Alamo, Dollar, and Hertz. You can find the offices for these companies in the Arrivals terminal of the airport, with their desks located just outside of baggage claim in Zone 2. Each of these companies keep their fleet directly on airport property, making it easy to pick up and return your vehicle from the airport.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Philadelphia 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 Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $401, about $143 less than Sunday fares (26% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 30% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Philadelphia trip for February. Fares historically average $389 round-trip in that month - typically $145 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • 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 $235 round-trip on this route - about $224 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 Philadelphia Airport.

    • Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
    • DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
    • Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Philadelphia Airport
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is known for being one of the primary hubs for Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. Because of this, it is not uncommon for flights departing from this airport to be serviced by one of these companies.
  • If you will be traveling with small children, keep your eyes open for one of the Mamava Suites that are located in Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). These suites are equipped with everything that parents may need, including benches, changing tables, outlets, and doors that lock.
  • Travelers that have an early flight departing from San Francisco International Airport may want to stay at a hotel directly at the airport. There are nap rooms available at FreshenUp, which is located airside, and you can rent a room either per hour or for periods of 8h.
  • When traveling with a furry friend, take note of the several pet relief areas that are located in Philadelphia International Airport. A “Pet Port” can be found in each terminal and has grass, trash cans, and disposable plastic bags for waste. There are also a few different outdoor pet relief areas that are in designated areas near baggage claim.
  • To get some work done before you need to begin boarding your flight, head to the TripTel Business Center in San Francisco International Airport. This center can be accessed by travelers for free and has copying and fax services, work stations, and even mobile phone rentals.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Philadelphia?

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

Direct departures

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

Direct returns

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

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia

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