Travelling from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by working out where you'll board your flight from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) are the main airports in Tokyo.
Expect to be travelling for 9 hours 35 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport flight.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city follows the UTC-8 timezone and is 17 hours behind Tokyo.
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route. There are 21 direct flights a week to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, take the last flight with ANA at 10:55pm. Opt for the first HND to SFO departure operated by United Airlines at 3:50pm if you'd rather get going earlier.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Tokyo to SFO. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
Popular months like March or other peak seasons mean longer lines and possible delays. Stay ahead of the crowds by getting to the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Tokyo
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)
Reach your destination without the detour from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND). Nonstop flights from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are available from here.
At HND, there's a good selection of airlines that offer direct flights from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport, including:
J-Air is the airline most travellers choose for flights from HND to SFO.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) stands out as the most punctual carrier on this route, with 80.99% of services landing on schedule.
We make it easy to book cheap flights from Tokyo to SFO with a stopover. To explore all your options leaving from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between HND and SFO include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
HND is around 19 kilometres from central Tokyo. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 30 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel near Tokyo Haneda International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Tokyo Haneda International Airport, data shows 78% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
HND's address is 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)
Planning to catch a flight from Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)? Direct Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) plane tickets are available from here.
The most popular airlines that operate direct flights from Tokyo to SFO jetting off from NRT include:
J-Air is the most popular choice for travellers flying from NRT to SFO.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) has the best on-time rating of any carrier operating flights between Tokyo Narita International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
Check a new destination off your list or just take a moment to reset with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport, check out these options when leaving from Tokyo Narita International Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Tokyo to NRT in about 1 hour. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Tokyo to SFO flight? Relax in a hotel near Tokyo Narita International Airport before your adventure officially starts. These stays have your key waiting:
Tokyo Narita International Airport has an on-time performance of 73%. This figure sheds light on how often flights departing from this airport make it to their destination on time.
The address for NRT is 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider staying in a hotel close to SFO if you're catching a late flight from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport. Select one of these options and call it a night faster:
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride around one week in advance of your Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
From San Francisco International Airport, central San Francisco is around 21 kilometres away. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the city centre by car.
Travelling on public transport takes around 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport is $335. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $638. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Tokyo to SFO if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across the month when searching for your Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport ticket.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Tokyo to SFO couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport.
The best time to fly from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
July is the most popular month for flights from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Visit San Francisco in December if you'd rather avoid peak season.
Book a Tokyo to SFO plane ticket departing in September if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Francisco to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 5ºC (41ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about San Francisco
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in San Francisco right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from Tokyo to San Francisco International Airport:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are must-visits when exploring San Francisco.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited San Francisco, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Travel about 257 kilometres east to Fresno to tick off its leading sights. From Forestiere Underground Gardens to Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Sacramento is another favourite destination in the United States and is around 129 kilometres northeast of San Francisco. No journey is complete without experiencing California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Crocker Art Museum.