Route guide · 340 miles

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Los Angeles

SFO → LAX · Nonstop 1h 11m · Live round-trip fares

Plenty of travelers price out San Francisco to Los Angeles every day — here's how to beat the average fare. Nonstops run about 1h 11m, and the calendar matters more than the airline. We recently spotted fares from $24 on Frontier Airlines. Aim to book 2–4 weeks ahead, stay flexible on the day of the week, and set a free alert so a price drop never slips past you.

SFOLAX

San Francisco → Los Angeles · Frontier Airlines

Nonstop · Nov 5

Recent prices

Round-trip

$24

Check now

Cheapest recent fare

$24

Frontier Airlines

Flight time

1h 11m

Nonstop, typical

Distance

340 mi

SFO → LAX

Cheapest month

November 2026

Fares from $18

Nonstop airlines

3

Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines & more

Nonstop flights from San Francisco to Los Angeles

The fastest way between the two cities is the nonstop: about 1h 11m for the 340-mile run from SFO to LAX. Those flights are flown by Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines. Prices behave best when you book 2–4 weeks out.

Booking insights: San Francisco → Los Angeles

  • Distance: 340 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 11m.
  • We recently spotted a fare of $24 (Frontier Airlines) on this route — that's the number to beat.
  • Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Nov 5, with fares from $18.
  • Of the months we're tracking right now, November 2026 has the lowest fares, starting at $18.
  • Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
  • Midweek departures (Tue–Thu) are consistently cheaper than weekend flights.
  • A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.

Price trend

Cheapest departure weeks ahead

Departing around Nov 5 is currently the cheapest window — about $61 less than the nearest weeks. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.

Cheapest month · San Francisco → Los Angeles

November 2026

Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.

Fares from

$18

Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
1
—
2
—
3
—
4
$46
5
$24
6
$26
7
$18
Best price
8
—
9
—
10
—
11
$18
12
—
13
$28
14
$42
15
—
16
$25
17
—
18
—
19
—
20
—
21
$50
22
—
23
—
24
—
25
—
26
—
27
—
28
—
29
—
30
—
Best priceGood priceStandard

Cheapest: Sat, Nov 7 — $18 · Priciest: Nov 21 — $50

Get this fare →

Recent fares found for specific dates in November 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.

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Flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles: what you need to know

The flight

At 340 miles, SFO to LAX is one of those quick up-and-down flights: roughly 1h 11m nonstop. There's no meal service to plan around — the decisions that matter here are departure time and which airport entrance traffic is kinder to you.

Airlines on this route

Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines fly this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.

Leaving from San Francisco (SFO)

Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our San Francisco airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.

Arriving in Los Angeles (LAX)

Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Los Angeles airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Los Angeles to San Francisco fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.

When to book

Of the months we're currently tracking, November 2026 is coming in cheapest for this route, with fares from $18. As a rule, booking 2–4 weeks ahead lands you in the sweet spot — leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb. If you see a fare that works, don't wait around: set a fare alert on this page and we'll watch the price for you.

Good to know before you go

  • If you're traveling with only a carry-on, you can skip the bag-drop line entirely with mobile check-in.
  • Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
  • Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 11m — a one-stop itinerary needs to be a lot cheaper to be worth the extra hours.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the cheapest days on domestic routes.
  • Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.

San Francisco to Los Angeles flight FAQs

How long is the flight from SFO to LAX?

A nonstop from SFO to LAX clocks in at around 1h 11m for the 340-mile trip. If you're connecting, budget an extra 2–4 hours depending on where you stop.

Are there nonstop flights from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from SFO to LAX. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Right now, November 2026 is shaping up cheapest for San Francisco to Los Angeles — we've seen fares from $18 in that month. Prices move fast, so lock in when you see a number you like.

How much are last minute flights from SFO to LAX?

Last-minute flights from SFO to LAX (booked within 7 days of departure) typically cost noticeably more than fares booked 2–4 weeks out. Booking early is the smarter move.

What is a good round-trip deal from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

We recently found fares from $24 on Frontier Airlines. Anything at or below that level is a strong deal — set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.

Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

You'll mainly see Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines on San Francisco to Los Angeles. Checking each against the live fares below is the surest way to find the lowest price for your dates.

How early should I get to San Francisco airport for this flight?

Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.

Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?

Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.

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