They say San Francisco is a dream destination for many travelers. Be it the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, or the stereotypical Fisherman’s Wharf, cheap flights to San Francisco, if found, can make a trip even better. Here’s how you can avail of cheap flights and visit beautiful San Francisco on a budget.

Best Time to Get Cheap Flights to San Francisco

Right timing is the key when you are looking for cheap air tickets. Experts will suggest trying to book tickets at least three to four weeks prior in advance if you want to save some dollars. Some travel experts also beg to disagree, saying that traveling in January, February, or September yields cheap tickets to San Francisco due to low traffic. Try to avoid the tourist seasons: summer or Christmas holidays.

Prime Airlines Offering Cheap Flights to San Francisco

There are others who offer budget flights to reach San Francisco. They include other airlines that have been ranked among the best in cheap flights to San Francisco:

Southwest Airlines: Well-known for its flexible cancellations and cheap ticket prices.

Spirit Airlines: Offers some of the cheapest tickets with many optional facilities.

Alaska Airlines: Offers frequent deals and discounted tickets for travelers.

United Airlines: Pricing is often found to be competitive, especially for domestic flights.

JetBlue Airlines: Ideal options for budget travelers with an eye for comfort combined with price. 

Where to Find the Best Flight Deals

Cheap flights to San Francisco require a marathon of research. Here are some of the best resources to score attractive airfare deals.

Google Flights: You can easily track price trends and even set alerts for drops.

Skyscanner: Offers flexible-date searches to see which day or days have the lowest prices.

Kayak: Compare airborne prices for different airlines and receive discount alerts.

Hopper: An AI program that can predict price trends and even suggest the best time for booking.

Airline websites: You may find occasional discounts by booking direct at the airline's website.

Tips to Save More on Flights to San Francisco

Be Flexible with Dates: Weekdays (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) often have lower fares than weekends.

Use Incognito Mode: If information on flight prices is stored in cookies, your history may lead to inflated rates, so keep that feature off.

Sign Up for Fare Alerts: You can enter price drop alerts on many of those travel sites.

Consider Nearby Airports: You'll almost always find cheaper flights flying into Oakland, OAK, or San Jose, SJC, as opposed to San Francisco International Airport, SFO.

Apply Frequent Flyer Miles: Airline miles or credit card points may go a long way in cutting the cost of the trip.

Final Thoughts

It's possible to find cheap flights to San Francisco; however, this will take some detective work and patience on your part. Book well in advance, be flexible with your travel dates, and use great tools to save on your trip. Plan now and be on your way to enjoying the beautiful city of San Francisco without emptying your pockets!