Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Vancouver: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver and you'll be in the air for around 2 hours 20 minutes.
Vancouver and San Francisco (where San Francisco International Airport is located) share the UTC-8 timezone. This means there's no time difference to consider.
With 60 flights a week between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the most popular route. Air Canada operates the earliest flight at 06:30. If you're eager to make the most of your day before flying, the last flight from SFO to YVR is with United Airlines at 21:03.
To avoid missing your SFO to Vancouver flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying over a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Begin your journey at SFO and travel straight to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). That will be your arrival point when searching for San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver tickets.
Leading carriers that operate direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver include:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper plane ticket from SFO to Vancouver. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Located around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near SFO:
78% of flights that take off from San Francisco International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Vancouver
$93 is currently the best price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver flight. Return plane tickets start at $278. These prices can change depending on demand and availability.
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap flight from SFO to Vancouver. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Scoring cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to get the lowest fares across the month and snap up a sweet deal.
Picking up a cheap flight from SFO to Vancouver couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a cheaper option becomes available.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver.
Airports in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The distance from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to central Vancouver is roughly 13 kilometres. It'll take you around 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 25 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel near YVR if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver. Choose one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
For the lowest price, book your vehicle from Vancouver International Airport about one week ahead of your flight from SFO to Vancouver.
Vancouver Coal Harbour Seaplane Base (CXH)
Vancouver Coal Harbour Seaplane Base (CXH) is around 2 kilometres from central Vancouver. After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver, it'll take you around 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in around 10 minutes.
Following your SFO to Vancouver flight, kick back at a hotel near CXH. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Get the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left over, by reserving your ride from CXH before your arrival. You'll also avoid paying more than you have to, especially when demand is high.
Abbotsford International Airport (YXX)
Head to the city centre after your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver has arrived. Central Vancouver is about 72 kilometres from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) and takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
Public transport can get you there in around 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make the trip into the centre, head for a hotel near YXX. Settle in at one of these options after your SFO to Vancouver flight:
If you're looking for a specific kind of vehicle, book your ride from YXX about one week before your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you want, as well as a better rate.
Best time to go to Vancouver
January is the quietest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Vancouver based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver plane ticket with a departure in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 13ºC to 24ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Vancouver in February when temperatures average between -2ºC and 10ºC.
More about Vancouver
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Vancouver right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Vancouver:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Stanley Park, Stanley Park Seawall and Downtown Vancouver are major attractions which should feature on any good Vancouver itinerary.
Explore more of Canada
Vancouver has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Canada you should also see. Around 274 kilometres east of Vancouver, a trip to Kelowna will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like Okanagan Lake, The View Winery and Vineyard and Waterfront Park.
If you're eager to discover another side of Canada, head for Kamloops, about 257 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. St. Paul's Cathedral, Riverside Park and Dallas-Barnhartvale Nature Park are key highlights.