SFO - SJO

$238 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San José - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$677
Typical prices: $589-$940
Avianca
Thu 11/29Sat 12/8
SFO - SJO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$704
Typical prices: $762-$1,145
United Airlines
Wed 1/17Mon 1/29
SFO - SJO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 6h 27m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 88% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 17 weeks in advance save around 12% 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 $455 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 8h 40m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San José!

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San José (SFO-SJO)

 

Cheap flights from San Francisco to San José with top airlines, updated regularly. Compare round-trip, one-way, direct and last-minute deals.

Sun, Nov 29 - Tue, Dec 8
Avianca Logo
11:00 pm - 11:25 amSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
10h 25m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
9:45 am - 10:55 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
15h 10m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
$677Avianca
Sun, Nov 29 - Tue, Dec 8
Avianca Logo
11:00 pm - 8:50 amSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
7h 50m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
Avianca Logo
3:10 pm - 9:40 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
8h 30m1 stop San Salvador El Salvador Intl
$677Avianca
Thu, Jan 7 - Thu, Feb 4
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:28 am - 1:30 amSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
13h 02m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:53 am - 11:51 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
30h 58m1 stop Mexico City Benito Juarez
$677Multiple Airlines
Thu, Jan 7 - Thu, Feb 4
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:28 am - 1:30 amSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
13h 02m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:53 am - 11:51 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
30h 58m1 stop Mexico City Benito Juarez
$677Multiple Airlines
Mon, Jan 18 - Sun, Feb 7
Alaska Airlines Logo
9:14 pm - 11:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
24h 11m1 stop Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
1:23 am - 4:41 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
17h 18m2 stops Los Angeles Portland
$679Alaska Airlines
Sat, Jan 16 - Sun, Feb 7
Alaska Airlines Logo
9:14 pm - 11:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
24h 11m1 stop Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Logo
1:23 am - 4:41 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
17h 18m2 stops Los Angeles Portland
$679Alaska Airlines
Sun, Oct 25 - Fri, Nov 6
Copa Airlines Logo
1:31 am - 8:19 amSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
29h 48m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
6:10 pm - 11:12 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
31h 02m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$680Copa Airlines
Thu, Nov 5 - Thu, Nov 12
Southwest Logo
9:00 pm - 12:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
13h 20m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Houston Hobby
Southwest Logo
2:10 pm - 7:50 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
19h 40m2 stops Houston Hobby Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$680Southwest
Thu, Nov 5 - Thu, Nov 12
Southwest Logo
6:00 pm - 12:20 pmSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
16h 20m2 stops Los Angeles Houston Hobby
Southwest Logo
2:10 pm - 7:50 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
19h 40m2 stops Houston Hobby Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$680Southwest
Sun, Mar 21 - Sat, Mar 27
Copa Airlines Logo
7:55 pm - 11:58 pmSFO  San Francisco-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
27h 03m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
5:49 am - 6:28 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SFO San Francisco
13h 39m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$682Copa Airlines

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

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to San José typically range from $589 to $940. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $677, on Avianca.

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

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 San José. It’s 8% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 5% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to San José at $565 round-trip.
•December ($1,042) and November ($890) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 84% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to San José the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to San José are cheapest 17 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 12% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice for your flight from San Francisco to San José

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

Mark Chesnut

Expert on SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

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 San José flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$208
Beat the crowds with an average 59% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 2% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to San José

When to book flights from San Francisco to San José

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 12:08 am and lands at 6:35 am
    • Latest: departs at 11:35 pm and lands at 6:02 am.

    The flight takes about 6h 27m.

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

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

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

    Prices vary by airline.

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

    A nonstop flight from San Francisco to San José takes 6h 27m, covering 3,039 miles.

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

    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 San José flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Francisco to San José range from $589 to $940, with an average of $757 over the past 12 months. Anything below $589 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) are 2% below the route average of $757. Booking late can sometimes save you money, but inventory is limited.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $455 round-trip via Orlando (MCO), compared to $891 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from San Francisco to San José?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating San Francisco to San José flights. 88% of its flights are on time.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $35–$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 San José?

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

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

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

  • Have flight prices from San Francisco to San José 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 $677 to $3,884. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to San José are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $282, which is 20% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $1 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Priceless
    • Avis
    • Budget
    • Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    • Payless

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

    Flights from San Francisco to San José usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

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

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route.

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

    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 San José route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1h 38m.

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

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

    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) - 77% of one-stop connections
    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) - 12% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles (LAX) - 4% of one-stop connections
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - 3% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 13% on flights from San Francisco to San José. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $700 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $802, a difference of $102.

    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 San José?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between San Francisco and San José.

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

    Flying via San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 8h 40m, compared with 10h 07m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) and 10h 20m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

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

    San José is 1 hour ahead of San Francisco (Central Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica and Museo de Oro. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to San José flights:

    • 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 San José 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
    • Copa Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class
    • Azul: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class

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

  • Does SFO have a business center?

    SFO offers business services such as printing, copying and document translation. Freshen Up has nap rooms and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to San José 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 Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $700, about $102 less than Saturday fares (13% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 17 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 12% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to San José trip for February. Fares historically average $565 round-trip in that month - typically $477 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 $455 round-trip on this route - about $436 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • Look for Wag Brigade therapy animals on Terminal 3's Departures Level near the airline check-in counters and gates if you want to unwind before your trip. They are certified by the San Francisco SPCA and accompanied by handlers wearing vests that read "Pet Me!"
  • If you need help at SFO, stop by one of the information desks in each terminal.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to San José

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