Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Phoenix: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 10 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix.
The timezone in Phoenix is UTC-7. The city is one hour ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) is the most traveled route, with 89 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from SFO to PHX is with Frontier Airlines at 22:40. Opt for the first departure operated by Southwest Airlines at 05:00 if you want to fly out earlier.
To avoid missing your SFO to Phoenix flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
Direct San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix tickets are available for booking. Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) is where you'll be touching down.
These are some of the most well-known airlines operating direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix:
SFO is about 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays near SFO:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, 78% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Phoenix
The best price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix flight is $74. The cheapest price for a return flight is $123. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from SFO to Phoenix. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when searching for a San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix ticket.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SFO to Phoenix.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix.
Airports in Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) to the centre of Phoenix takes around 10 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 25 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix. Reserve one of these accommodation options near PHX instead:
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport around one week ahead of your flight from SFO to Phoenix.
The address for PHX is 3400 Sky Harbour Boulevard.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Phoenix is roughly 32 kilometres from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
After stepping off your SFO to Phoenix flight, rest your head at a hotel close to AZA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride two weeks before your arrival at AZA will help you stay within budget.
The address for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is 6033 S. Sossaman Rd..
Best time to go to Phoenix
March is the most popular month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix. To escape the crowds, visit Phoenix in October.
Book a San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix plane ticket with a departure in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 27ºC to 45ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to Phoenix in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC and 21ºC on average.
More about Phoenix
After booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Phoenix, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Phoenix:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room, Camelback Mountain and Heard Museum are attractions you won't want to skip in Phoenix.
Explore more of the United States
Phoenix has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of the United States just waiting to be explored. About 483 kilometres west of Phoenix, a visit to San Diego will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like San Diego Zoo, San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
Las Vegas is another standout destination in the United States and is around 418 kilometres northwest of Phoenix. No trip is complete without a visit to Ciudad del Pecado o Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip and Fountains of Bellagio.