United States

How to get from Seattle to San Francisco

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 6min
💶
From
142€
📍
Distance
1091 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Seattle to San Francisco: Flight, about 2h 6min, from €142. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines; main departure point: Seattle Tacoma Airport.

Distance: 1091 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Seattle to San Francisco

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Flight
2h 6min – 2h 11min
142 – 217 €
View
🚌 Departure from Seattle
📍Flights leave from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), commonly called Sea-Tac, south of downtown Seattle. Your terminal and gate appear on your boarding pass or airline app, so check them before leaving and allow time for security.
🚇From downtown Seattle, take the Link light rail to the airport station and walk to the terminal. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available if you carry heavy luggage or travel at night, when rail service may be limited.
⏰Several flights operate each day, from early morning to evening. Exact times change by date and airline, so check the schedule when booking and choose an earlier departure for more flexibility.
💸 Transport from 142€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 6min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Frontier Airlines Flight Seattle Tacoma Airport €142 2
Alaska Airlines Flight Seattle Tacoma Airport €182 15
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Practical tips

💡
Fly for this distance

Seattle and San Francisco are far apart, so a long overland journey can swallow a full day of your trip. Use the comparison table on this page to confirm that the flight fits your schedule and budget.

💡
Pick the right airports

Check the airport codes before paying: SEA for Seattle-Tacoma and SFO for San Francisco International. The Bay Area has other airports, so confirm your arrival airport matches your hotel, hostel or onward plans.

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Reach Sea-Tac by light rail

From downtown Seattle, the Link light rail runs to the airport station, which is an easy walk from the terminal. It avoids traffic and works well with luggage, so you do not need a car.

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Use BART in San Francisco

At SFO, the BART station is connected to the airport, with trains heading into downtown San Francisco. It is usually the simplest budget option for the city transfer, with no need to rent a car or book a taxi.

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Book early, arrive early

Fares tend to be better when booked ahead. On the day, arrive early for security and bag drop, and prefer earlier departures so a delay will not make you miss a same-day onward connection.

The journey experience

Seattle to San Francisco is well over 600 miles, the kind of distance where the wrong choice can cost you a whole day of your trip. The option listed here is the flight, and it keeps you moving without a car. The comparison table on this page shows duration and price range at a glance, so you can decide in seconds.

Flights link Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and airlines such as Alaska Airlines and United serve this pair of airports. It is a simple airport-to-airport trip with departures spread through the day, so it is easier to rebook if your plans change. Standard US domestic rules apply for check-in, security and baggage, and travelling with only a carry-on is often the cheapest way to fly.

The main traps are choosing the wrong airport and arriving without a plan for getting into the city. Both airports are well connected to downtown by public transport, so you do not need a car or a pricey taxi. Note your terminal in advance, arrive early and keep your onward ride simple. Book ahead for the best fares and you will arrive relaxed and on time.

Frequently asked questions — Seattle → San Francisco

Why visit San Francisco?

  • ✓ Cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and return by ferry with views of the skyline
  • ✓ Tour Alcatraz Island and its former federal prison on the evocative audio-guided night or day visit
  • ✓ Ride the historic Powell-Hyde cable car and wind down Lombard Street's eight hairpin turns
  • ✓ Sample Mission-style burritos and Dolores Park views in the colorful Mission District, then admire its murals on Clarion Alley
  • ✓ Feast on clam chowder in a sourdough bowl at Fisherman's Wharf and watch the sea lions at Pier 39
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 4 nights — enough to cover the city's hills, neighborhoods and a Wine Country or Muir Woods day trip

When to visit San Francisco?

MEDITERRANEAN OCEANIC CLIMATE

September to October — warmest, sunniest weather of the year, with far less of the summer fog

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😐
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😐
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In San Francisco — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in San Francisco
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in San Francisco?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌉
Walk or Bike the Golden Gate Bridge
Cross the 2.7 km span on foot or by bike, starting from the Welcome Center on the city side. Go early morning to avoid fog and crowds. Bike rentals cost from 8€ per hour, or around 30€ per day. Continue to Sausalito and return by ferry for about 13€.
⛓️
Alcatraz Island Night Tour
The former federal prison is reached by ferry from Pier 33. Tickets cost around 40€ and sell out weeks ahead, so book on the official Alcatraz City Cruises site. The audio tour is excellent and included. Choose the evening slot for fewer visitors and a moodier atmosphere.
🚃
Ride the Historic Cable Cars
The Powell-Hyde line offers the best views, climbing Nob Hill and descending toward the bay. A single ride costs about 7€, a day pass about 11€ via the MuniMobile app. Queues at Powell Street turntable can exceed an hour, so board further up the line instead.
🦭
Fisherman's Wharf and Sea Lions
Hundreds of California sea lions lounge on the K-Dock at Pier 39, free to watch year-round, with peak numbers in winter. Skip the touristy restaurants and try a clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin for about 12€. Visit before 10am for calm.
🥟
Chinatown Food Walk
The oldest Chinatown in North America rewards wandering beyond Grant Avenue into Stockton Street and Ross Alley. Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, then eat dim sum at Good Mong Kok Bakery for under 8€. Bring cash, as many small shops don't accept cards.
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Mission District Murals and Tacos
Walk Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley to see decades of Latino and political street murals, free at any hour. Then try a super burrito at La Taqueria or Taqueria Cancún for about 10€. Go in daylight and stay on main streets, as some blocks feel rough after dark.
🌲
Presidio and Wave Organ Trails
The Presidio's coastal trail leads from Crissy Field to Baker Beach, with superb bridge views and free access. Stop at the Wave Organ, a sculpture of pipes that sounds the tide, best at high tide. Pack a windbreaker, since the afternoon wind is strong and cold.
🌅
Sunset at Twin Peaks and Sutro Baths
Skip the crowded viewpoints and head to the ruins of Sutro Baths in Lands End, free to explore, then walk the Lands End trail at golden hour. Finish with a warm drink at the nearby Cliff House area. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset, and layer up.

How long to visit San Francisco?

3 to 5 days

Plan 3 to 4 days to cover the essentials without rushing. In 3 days you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz (book weeks ahead), Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Mission and a cable car ride; a 4th or 5th day allows Muir Woods, Sausalito or a Napa/Sonoma day trip. Always pack layers, as fog and wind can make summer afternoons cold, and use Muni plus walking rather than renting a car in the city.

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