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$160+ Cheap flights from San José (SJO) to San Francisco (SFO)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 9/24. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SJO — SFO
Oct 11 — Oct 181
Sat 10/11
Sat 10/18
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco are usually found in October or August, booked 62 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Saturday and return on a Tuesday

Cheap flight deals from San José to San Francisco

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San José (SJO) to San Francisco (SFO). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated September 11, 2025.

Round-trip from

$347
(Avianca)

One-way from

$160
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$470

Good round-trip deal

$362 or less

Good one-way deal

$190 or less
From San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco
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One-way flight from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 3% potential increase in price ($17 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco.
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Find flight deals from San José to San Francisco

Cheapest flights from San José to San Francisco
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San José to San Francisco. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 11, 2025.

This Avianca deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Avianca is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 9/147:45 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop17h 50mAvianca
Sat 9/2012:05 amSFO - SJO
1 stop12h 25mAvianca
Deal found 9/10$347
This Avianca deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Avianca is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 10/137:45 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop17h 50mAvianca
Sat 10/182:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop8h 15mAvianca
Deal found 9/11$348
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/255:05 amSJO - SFO
1 stop8h 30mAvianca
Sat 10/42:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop8h 15mAvianca
Deal found 9/9$354
This Avianca deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Avianca is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 10/115:05 amSJO - SFO
1 stop18h 40mAvianca
Sat 10/182:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop19h 55mAvianca
Deal found 9/11$358
This JetBlue deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure JetBlue is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 9/241:00 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop11h 10mJetBlue
Mon 10/1311:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop11h 35mJetBlue
Deal found 9/9$363
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 9/177:45 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop17h 50mAvianca
Wed 10/12:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop8h 15mAvianca
Deal found 9/9$364
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/127:45 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop17h 50mAvianca
Tue 9/1610:40 amSFO - SJO
2 stops11h 35mAvianca
Deal found 9/11$369
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 10/45:05 amSJO - SFO
1 stop19h 50mAvianca
Sun 10/122:20 pmSFO - SJO
1 stop8h 15mAvianca
Deal found 9/11$370
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 9/223:05 pmSJO - SFO
1 stop8h 40mMultiple Airlines
Mon 9/293:28 pmSFO - SJO
2 stops18h 46mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 9/9$371
This Avianca deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Avianca is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/195:05 amSJO - SFO
1 stop8h 30mAvianca
Tue 9/2310:40 amSFO - SJO
2 stops11h 35mAvianca
Deal found 9/10$373
This Copa Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Copa Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 10/78:11 amSJO - SFO
1 stop16h 28mCopa Airlines
Fri 11/712:36 amSFO - SJO
1 stop11h 17mCopa Airlines
Deal found 9/9$374

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from San José to San Francisco that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated September 11, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San José to San Francisco that are best for you.

Fly from

San José

Fly to

San Francisco

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 10/24

10:58 am-11:39 pm

1 stop13h 41m

San Francisco

Tue 10/28

1:36 am-6:47 pm

1 stop16h 11m

$374

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 10/23

8:11 am-11:39 pm

1 stop16h 28m

San Francisco

Sun 10/26

1:36 am-4:50 pm

2 stops14h 14m

$379

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Sat 9/27

1:00 pm-11:10 pm

1 stop11h 10m

San Francisco

Sun 10/12

11:20 pm-11:55 am

1 stop11h 35m

$393

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Tue 10/28

1:11 am-4:22 pm

2 stops16h 11m

San Francisco

Wed 10/29

6:23 pm-11:51 pm

2 stops28h 28m

$411

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Sat 10/4

1:00 pm-11:10 pm

1 stop11h 10m

San Francisco

Sat 10/11

11:20 pm-11:55 am

1 stop11h 35m

$412

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 11/6

1:55 am-8:53 am

2 stops32h 58m

San Francisco

Wed 11/12

6:23 pm-12:38 am

2 stops28h 15m

$415

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 10/16

5:57 am-11:39 pm

1 stop18h 42m

San Francisco

Thu 10/23

1:31 am-4:52 pm

2 stops14h 21m

$417

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Mon 10/13

10:08 am-11:39 pm

1 stop14h 31m

San Francisco

Wed 11/12

12:36 am-4:50 pm

2 stops14h 14m

$417

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 10/9

9:17 am-11:39 pm

2 stops15h 22m

San Francisco

Sun 10/19

1:31 am-4:52 pm

2 stops14h 21m

$443

San JoséSan Francisco

SJO - SFO

SJOSFO

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 10/2

1:00 pm-11:10 pm

1 stop11h 10m

$171

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/10

Showing 1-10 of 21 results
1
2
3

The best insider tips for San José to San Francisco flights

Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of Cheapflights-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
Cheapflights partnered with top experts to bring you the best recommendations for your San José to San Francisco trip
Airports
SJO

Leave for the airport with sufficient time to clear security. Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight.

Read more about SJOby Marisa Garcia
SFO

The least expensive way to travel between SFO and downtown San Francisco is on BART, taking about 40 minutes.

Read more about SFOby Harriet Baskas
Our travel experts
Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Expert on SJO

Marisa Garcia

Marisa Garcia

Marisa knows planes inside and out, spending 16 years working on aircraft in hangars at airports around the world. She is an aviation industry expert, specialized in airline interiors and regulations. Ten years ago, she pivoted to journalism. She shares her insights in leading aviation, travel, and business publications and on her site FlightChic.

Read more
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on SFO

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

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.

Read more

Best time to book a flight from San José to San Francisco

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco from San José with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from San José to San Francisco

How far ahead should I book a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from San José to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on August 29, 2025.

The price you pay for your flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 62 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from San José, San José Province to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $357). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SJO to SFO?

Find hourly flight availability from San José to San Francisco. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated September 11, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from San José, San José Province to San Francisco at noon. Doing so could potentially save you 31% on the flight price compared to flying in the morning, which is usually more expensive.

What is the cheapest day to fly from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from San José to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on September 7, 2025.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their San José, San José Province to San Francisco flight should consider departing on Tuesday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday mornings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to San Francisco. Reviews last updated September 11, 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Copa Airlines, and United Airlines from San José to San Francisco to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.
Copa Airlines
7.6
Good
1,531 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,937 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.
JetBlue
7.2
Good
2,913 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.
Avianca
6.7
Okay
2,436 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San José to San Francisco. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airports do I use to fly from San José to San Francisco?

    You will need to book a flight from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco if you want to fly from San José to San Francisco. At least 6 different airlines have flights from Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) to San Francisco (SFO) on a regular basis. There is 1 flight to San Francisco from the San José airport per day. If you manage to book one that is nonstop, then you can expect the flight time from SJO to SFO to be around 6h 57m.

  • How popular is this San José, San José Province to San Francisco flight route?

    The San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Francisco flight path was viewed by 4 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

  • How long is the flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

    A quick flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco can take about 11h 10m. Copa Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $393. The distance between San José, San José Province and San Francisco is about 3039 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from San José, San José Province to San Francisco round-trip?

    Copa Airlines, at $244, was found to be the cheapest airline from San José, San José Province to San Francisco.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include Avianca and JetBlue. These flights start at 53% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

  • What are the cheapest flights from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

    While on average a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco is generally $565, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $163. When looking at the most popular route, (San José Juan Santamaria Intl - San Francisco), you can expect to pay $309 for that flight.

  • Where are the most common layover locations when flying from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

    The most popular layover on flights from San José, San José Province to San Francisco is San Salvador. San José, San José Province to San Francisco flights stop in Panama City the next most.

  • What are some popular points of interest to see during a layover in Panama City?

    The majority of Panama City visitors spend their time at Panama Old Cathedral, Amador Causeway, and Panama Canal. Panama Old Cathedral, Amador Causeway, and Panama Canal are located about 13.2 mi, 14.7 mi, and 15.1 mi, respectively from Panama City Tocumen Intl. Travelers in need of a car in Panama City can rent one for about $13 per day.

  • Where are the least popular layover locations for San José, San José Province to San Francisco flights?

    San José, San José Province to San Francisco flights have a layover in Houston least often.

  • Can I find deals for flights from San José to San Francisco that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on San José to San Francisco flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from San José to San Francisco?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San José to San Francisco.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from San José to San Francisco?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San José to San Francisco by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San José, San José Province to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from San José, San José Province to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $357). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

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Alternative routes for San José to San Francisco

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Top 6 airlines flying from San José to San Francisco

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from San José to San Francisco. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated September 11, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Copa AirlinesCheapest$244Average$455FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time70%
AviancaCheapest$350Average$536FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
JetBlueCheapest$369Average$489FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
American AirlinesCheapest$392Average$698FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
Alaska AirlinesCheapest$465Average$537FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
United AirlinesCheapest$490Average$722FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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