SBA - SFO

$76 Find Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara 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
$142
Typical prices: $263-$502
United Airlines
Mon 10/22Mon 10/22
SBA - SFO • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$76
Typical prices: $150-$286
Southwest
Sat 11/3
SBA - SFO • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 1h 21m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 67% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 26% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco (SBA-SFO)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Thu, Oct 22 - Thu, Oct 22
United Airlines Logo
2:05 pm - 3:19 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 14mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
9:30 pm - 10:51 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
1h 21mnonstop
$142United Airlines
Wed, Jan 20 - Wed, Jan 20
Southwest Logo
6:05 am - 11:55 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
2:15 pm - 8:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 30m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$151Southwest
Wed, Jan 6 - Wed, Jan 6
Southwest Logo
6:05 am - 11:55 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 4:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
3h 30m1 stop San Diego
$151Southwest
Wed, Jan 20 - Wed, Jan 20
Southwest Logo
6:05 am - 12:50 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
6h 45m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl San Diego
Southwest Logo
2:15 pm - 8:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 30m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$156Southwest
Wed, Jan 6 - Wed, Jan 6
Southwest Logo
6:05 am - 11:55 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
2:35 pm - 8:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 10m2 stops Los Angeles Los Angeles Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$156Southwest
Wed, Oct 21 - Thu, Oct 22
Southwest Logo
5:35 am - 11:25 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
6:25 am - 2:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
8h 20m2 stops San Diego Oakland
$156Southwest
Tue, Oct 6 - Wed, Oct 7
United Airlines Logo
2:05 pm - 3:19 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 14mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
9:30 pm - 10:51 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
1h 21mnonstop
$161United Airlines
Sat, Feb 13 - Sat, Feb 20
United Airlines Logo
4:05 pm - 5:31 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 26mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
1:55 pm - 3:24 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
1h 29mnonstop
$161United Airlines
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 20
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 7:29 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 14mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
4:55 pm - 6:21 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
1h 26mnonstop
$161United Airlines
Wed, Jan 20 - Wed, Jan 20
Southwest Logo
6:05 am - 1:20 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
7h 15m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Southwest Logo
2:35 pm - 8:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 10m2 stops Los Angeles Los Angeles Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$161Southwest
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco with more confidence.

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

Round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco start at $142. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $263 to $502. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $142 on United Airlines.

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

Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, it is 20% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 17% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

  • September is the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco at $257 round-trip.
  • April ($409) and July ($399) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 59% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Santa Barbara to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 67% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$76
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 15% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 16% lower on average.
Flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

When to book flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

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

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Where can I spend the night at San Francisco airport?

    Passengers looking to spend the night at the airport because they arrived late can spend the night at terminal 1. There is a hallway towards gate 50, near the yoga room. The hallway is equipped with comfortable couches that you can utilize. You just need to carry an extra blanket for more comfort.

  • How can I fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    From Santa Barbara airport to San Francisco, there are a number of flights or airlines that you can use, for instance, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, that offer nonstop flight options. Alternatively, if you want to save money, you can opt for connecting flights with one-stop options. For instance, American and United airlines offer connecting flights with layovers at LAX and PHX.

  • Are there any onsite hotels in San Francisco?

    There are many top-rated hotels at and near San Francisco Airport, so if you are landing late, you can consider booking with them. You can book your stay with Grand Hyatt At SFO, Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel, SFO Airport Hotel, El Rancho Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. These hotels offer exceptional services, including free airport shuttle services.

  • What amenities does Santa Barbara airport offer nursing mothers?

    Nursing mothers traveling through Santa Barbara airport will have a chance to use the special nursing room located on the terminal building's second floor. The room is well equipped with a rocking baby chair, a changing table, a shower for the mothers and a private room for pumping the milk or for breastfeeding.

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

    Among airlines operating Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

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

    Flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco usually depart from Santa Barbara (SBA) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Santa Barbara to San Francisco 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
    • JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

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

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

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

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

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

    On this route, nonstop flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Nonstop fares average $346 round-trip, compared to $368 via a layover through Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX).

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$80 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 Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    The Embraer 175 (Enhanced Winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

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

    Most connecting flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco pass through Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX), which handles 100% of one-stop traffic on this route. Other layover airports each see under 5%.

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

    On the Santa Barbara to San Francisco route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 32%. Saturday is the cheapest day at $277 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $407: a $130 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

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

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights, with 40% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 40%, evening flights for 20%, and night flights for 0%.

  • 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 are the earliest and latest flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 7:21 am
    • Latest: departs at 8:41 pm and lands at 10:02 pm.

    The flight takes about 1h 21m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 56% above the route average of $346. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    A nonstop flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco takes 1h 21m, covering 262 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Santa Barbara 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.

  • Have flight prices from Santa Barbara to San Francisco 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 $142 to $1,160. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Santa Barbara to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $80, which is 66% 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 starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Thrifty
    • Europcar
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Santa Barbara to San Francisco flight?

    Round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco range from $263 to $502, with an average of $346 over the past 12 months. Anything below $263 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Saturday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Saturday flights average $277 - about $130 less than Monday (32% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 20 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 67% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Santa Barbara to San Francisco trip for September. Fares historically average $257 round-trip in that month - typically $152 less than the most expensive month, which is April (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
  • It’s important to arrive at Santa Barbara airport (SBA) at least 2h earlier before takeoff. This is because Santa Barbara airport is busy sometimes. Coming early will give you a chance to get done with the security check on time and get your ticket and boarding pass.
  • Santa Barbara provides a variety of parking locations when you are flying out of Santa Barbara to San Francisco. You can use the international parking lot on the third floor at terminal 1 if you intend to park for a long time. They also have a daily parking lot at the new garage next to the gate. This parking lot allows travelers to park for a few hours. There are other parking lots on the ground floor and the second floor. Shuttle drivers and drivers coming to pick up and drop off passengers can use them.
  • While you are waiting to board your flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, you can take advantage of the extensive selection of amenities provided at the departure and arrival hall. You can grab something to snack on at the restaurant on your left from the baggage claim area.
  • There is entertainment available on board your flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. You can watch a movie and play games with other passengers. There are also kid-friendly games and a channel on the offered TV channels. Additionally, they offer amenities and services like meals, drinks, and snacks.
  • When you arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you can visit the information desk or office in terminal 1 if you're interested in learning more specific details. As an alternative, you might speak with their employees who are close to you; they might be able to assist. For instance, you can ask any close staff member where the children's changing area is located. You are not required to visit the office.

Prefer to fly direct from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

Santa Barbara 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

Direct returns

San Francisco to Santa Barbara

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 Santa Barbara to San Francisco

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