Flights from San Francisco to Japan

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Best Deals for San Francisco to Japan Flights

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*Fares and availability are based on round trip searches for 1 passenger (1 adult) in Economy class in the last 48 hours. Fares are inclusive of tax and surcharges, and subject to availability.

Vietnam Airlines operates flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Japan with well-arranged connecting flights with a flight time of from 24 hours 15 minutes (approximately 8,246km). With ticket prices starting from USD 1,713, passengers will enjoy synchronized service, reasonable flight times, and seamless experiences. This article will provide you with detailed information about the journey, travel procedures, and distinctive destinations!

1. Detailed Information on the Flight From San Francisco to Japan

The journey from San Francisco to Japan with Vietnam Airlines currently does not operate direct flight from SFO to Japan. However, connecting flights to Japan from SFO are arranged reasonably, helping to optimize travel time while ensuring a seamless experience.

  • Distance: From 8,246 - 9,078km (depending on the destination airport).
  • Average SFC to Japan flight time: About 24 hours 15 minutes - 41 hours 10 minutes (including transit time).
  • Flight frequency: 1 - 2 flights/route/day; 1 - 4 days/week (depending on destination).

Departure Information

Departure

San Francisco

Airport Name

San Francisco International Airport

Airport Code

SFO

Terminal

Terminal I

Location

San Francisco, CA 94128, USA

Transit Information

Distance

Flight Time (*)

Flight Frequency (*)

San Francisco → Ho Chi Minh City → Narita Tokyo

(SFO → SGN → NRT)

~8,246km

24 hours 15 minutes - 41 hours 10 minutes

2 flights/day; 4 days/week

San Francisco → Ho Chi Minh City → Haneda Tokyo

(SFO → SGN → HND)

~8.304km

40 hours 20 minutes

1 flight/day; 4 days/week

San Francisco → Ho Chi Minh City → Fukuoka

(SFO → SGN → FUK)

~9,078km

40 hours 45 minutes

1 flight/day; 1 - 2 days/week

San Francisco → Ho Chi Minh City → Nagoya

(SFO → SGN → NGO)

~8,510km

40 hours 40 minutes

1 flight/day; 1 - 3 days/week

San Francisco → Ho Chi Minh City → Osaka

(SFO → SGN → KIX)

~8,711km

40 hours 30 minutes

1 flight/day; 1 - 4 days/week

Arrival Airport

Arrival Airport

Airport Code

Terminal

Location

Narita International Airport

NRT

Terminal 1

1-1 Furugome, Narita, Chiba, Japan

Haneda International Airport (Tokyo)

HND

Terminal 0

Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo, Japan

Fukuoka Airport

FUK

Terminal 1

778-1 Shimousui, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, Japan

Nagoya Airport

NGO

Terminal 1

Toyoyama, Nishikasugai District, Aichi, Japan

Kansai International Airport (Osaka)

KIX

Terminal 1

3 Hotarugaike Nishimachi, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan

Note:

(*) Flight times presented are for reference and may change depending on connecting options and operating conditions at transit airports.

(**) Ticket prices fluctuate according to booking time, seat availability on each flight, and season.

2. Transportation Instruction When Flying From San Francisco to Japan

Flights from San Francisco to Japan are long journeys with multiple stopover options. To optimize the experience, passengers need to understand how to travel efficiently according to the suggestions below:

2.1. How to Get to San Francisco Airport?

Transportation

Travel Instructions

Cost*

Bus

Several bus routes serve SFO airport (routes from the SamTrans system such as routes 292 and KX).

From USD 3 - USD 5

BART Train (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

Take the yellow line of the BART system to travel from downtown to San Francisco Airport.

From USD 8 - USD 11, depending on the departure station

Taxi

Taxis operate regularly in the downtown area, with travel time to the airport ranging from 20 to 40 minutes.

Around USD 55 - USD 70

2.2. How to Get From Narita Airport to The City Center?

Destination Airport

Transportation Options - Travel Time - Cost

Narita (Tokyo)

  • Narita Express - 50 minutes - JPY 3,070 (USD 21.48)
  • Keisei Skyliner Train - 50 minutes (Ueno Station) - JPY 2,630 (USD 18.40)
  • Limousine Airport Bus - 150 minutes - JPY 2,800 (USD 19.59)
  • Taxi - 70 to 90 minutes - JPY 20,000 (USD 139.94)

Haneda (Tokyo)

  • Keikyu Line Train - 30 minutes - JPY 580 (USD 4.06)
  • Tokyo Monorail Train - 25 minutes (Hamamatsucho Station) - JPY 650 (USD 4.55)
  • Limousine Bus - 40 to 60 minutes - JPY 930 (USD 6.51)
  • Taxi - 45 minutes - JPY 5,900+ (USD 41.28+)

Fukuoka

  • Fukuoka Airport Line Subway - 5 minutes (to Hakata Station) - JPY 200 to 260 ( USD 1.4 to 1.80)
  • Bus - 15 to 20 minutes - JPY 260 to 310 (USD 1.80 to 2.17)
  • Taxi - 15 minutes - JPY 2,500 to 4,000 (USD 17.49 to 27.99)

Nagoya

  • μ-SKY Train - 30 minutes - JPY 1,230 (USD 8.61)
  • Bus - 55 minutes - JPY 750 to 1,500 (USD 10.50)
  • Taxi - 45 to 60 minutes - JPY 12,500 to 21,000 (USD 87.46 to 146.93)

Kansai

  • JR Haruka Express Train - 30 minutes (to Shin-Osaka or Tennoji takes longer) - JPY 2,000 to 3,500 (USD 13.99 to 24.99)
  • Airport Express - 45 minutes - JPY 920 (USD 6.44)
  • Limousine Bus - 50 to 70 minutes (to Umeda or Namba area) - JPY 1,100 (USD 7.70)
  • Taxi - 60 minutes (to Osaka) - JPY 13,000 to 19,000 ( USD 90.96 to 132.94)

3. 4 Tips When Taking A Flight From San Francisco to Japan

Flights from San Francisco to Japan have long travel times, which can easily cause fatigue and affect health without proper preparation. Here are 4 important notes to help the journey proceed smoothly and more efficiently:

3.1. Find Best Deals on the Vietnam Airlines Website

Vietnam Airlines is currently applying many incentives exclusively for passengers booking online for Japan flight from SFO such as:

  • Temporary hold program: Vietnam Airlines implements a ticket price hold service for 2 - 3 days from the time of booking, with a reasonable fee of about USD 10/person (~JPY 1,499), applicable when booking 7 - 14 days in advance.
  • Special online offers: When booking tickets through the official website or Vietnam Airlines mobile app, passengers looking for cheap flights from SFO to Japan have the opportunity to receive exclusive deals such as direct discounts, free ticket issuance, or payment promotions when using e-wallets and bank transfers.
  • Lotusmiles Program: Become a member of the Lotusmiles loyalty program to accumulate flight miles after each journey, receive additional benefits such as service upgrades and increased free baggage allowance.

3.2. Upgrade to Large Seats

With journeys lasting more than a day and at least one connection, sitting for long periods can easily cause fatigue and difficulty resting. Upgrading to premium economy or business class significantly improves the flight experience with spacious areas, deep-reclining seats, and comfortable legroom. Or you can also consider the Sky Sofa service to purchase two additional empty seats beside you.

3.3. Bring All Required Documents

Passengers need to ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months and bring necessary documents such as round-trip tickets, accommodation confirmation, and visa if required. To ensure the travel process is not interrupted, passengers should store both printed and electronic copies on personal devices.

3.4. Well-Prepared for Check-in

To ensure the check-in process proceeds quickly and according to procedures, passengers should note some of the following support options:

  • Passengers who are Elite-level Lotusmiles members are allowed to use business class check-in counters, even when flying in economy class.
  • Vietnam Airlines allows passengers to check in online 24 hours - 1 hour before departure time, helping to reduce waiting time.
  • Self-service kiosks at the airport support passengers in completing procedures quickly, however, some international connecting flights will not support this service.

4. TOP 20+ of The Best Destinations You Must Visit When Arriving in Japan

Each major city in Japan has distinctive destinations for culture, architecture, and cuisine, providing rich experiences for international visitors. Below is a compilation of some famous places you shouldn't miss:

City

Destination

Tokyo

  • Tokyo Skytree: About 25km from Haneda Airport, stands out with its 634m height and city panoramic observation deck, famous for Edo-mae sushi.
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine: About 20km from Haneda Airport, notable for its traditional wooden architecture in the sacred Yoyogi forest and the region's characteristic cold soba noodles.
  • Shibuya District: About 20km from Haneda Airport, famous for its bustling traffic intersection, iconic Hachiko statue and crepe cakes.

Osaka

  • Dotonbori District: Bright space with lights and giant advertising signs, also a culinary paradise with characteristic Japanese pancake okonomiyaki. About 48km from Kansai Airport.
  • Osaka Castle: About 50km from Kansai Airport, notable for its feudal architecture from the Edo period and historical role, where visitors can enjoy famous takoyaki.
  • Kaiyukan Aquarium: Located about 46km from Kansai Airport, notable for its central tank simulating the ocean, an ideal place to explore the marine world and enjoy grilled snakehead fish.

Fukuoka

  • Kushida Shrine: 5km from Fukuoka Airport, notable for its role as the center of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival and associated with tonkotsu ramen.
  • Canal City Hakata: Located about 6km from Fukuoka Airport, notable for its modern architectural design and water music performances, also a familiar destination to enjoy strawberry mochi.
  • Momochi Beach: About 10km from Fukuoka Airport, notable for its modern artificial beach space and Fukuoka Tower, where visitors often enjoy grilled salted saba fish in seaside restaurants.

Nagoya

  • Toyota Museum: About 40km from Chubu Airport, notable for historical industrial models and automobile production lines.
  • Atsuta Shrine: Notable for its sacred status and Kusanagi sword, associated with udon noodles cooked with red miso. About 43km from Chubu Airport.
  • Nagoya Bay: About 35km from Chubu Airport, notable for its modern aquarium and entertainment area, where visitors can find the famous rice ball Tenmusu.

Kyoto

  • Kinkaku-ji Temple: About 95km from Kansai Airport, notable for the golden leaf layer covering the main hall and the peaceful Kyoko-chi lake scenery, where visitors often combine sightseeing and enjoying traditional simmered tofu Yudofu.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: About 100km from Kansai Airport, associated with the destination of walking paths through the quiet bamboo forest, also a popular place to experience Wagashi cakes.
  • Gion Old Quarter: Ancient geisha space and traditional tea houses, where visitors can experience Kyoto culture with exquisite bento lunch boxes. About 100km from Kansai Airport.

5. Frequently Asked Questions about the Flight From SFO to Japan

Before departure, passengers often have many concerns related to transit baggage, travel duration, ticket prices, and when to arrive at the airport. The content below will answer all these questions:

5.1. Do I Need to Recheck Baggage If I Have a Connecting Flight in Vietnam?

In cases where passengers fly the entire journey with Vietnam Airlines, checked baggage will be transferred directly to the final destination in Japan. You do not need to collect baggage again at the transit point in Vietnam, except for a few special cases that will be announced by the airline.

5.2. How Long Is A Flight From SFO to Japan?

Flight time from San Francisco to Japan ranges from 24 hours 15 minutes to over 41 hours 10 minutes (depending on the destination airport). The flight includes one transit in Ho Chi Minh City.

5.3. Are There Any Seasonal Price Variations?

Ticket prices fluctuate according to different periods of the year, especially increasing during occasions such as Lunar New Year, summer vacation (June to August), or year-end (November to December). Conversely, during low-peak months (such as March - April or September - October), passengers can easily purchase tickets at preferential prices if booking early through the airline's official channels.

5.4. How Early Should I Arrive at The Airport in San Francisco?

For international connecting flights, passengers should arrive at San Francisco Airport at least 3 hours before departure time. This ensures sufficient time to complete security checks, baggage check-in, and complete check-in according to regulations.

Above is all the information passengers need to know about flights from San Francisco to Japan, from schedules to ticket prices. This will be a useful handbook helping passengers proactively design journeys suitable for personal needs. And if you are looking for a reliable airline for this trip, Vietnam Airlines will be an ideal choice with meticulous, comfortable service and many attractive offers!