Route guide
Cheap Flights from Boston to San Francisco: Book Airline Tickets
- Distance
- about 2,700 mi
- Typical flight time
- 5 h 30 min – 6 h 30 min
- Airports
- 1 × 3
- Time difference
- 3 h behind
This page covers the practical side of flying between Boston and San Francisco: which airports to compare, how long the trip takes, and when it is busy. It works for either direction. For a price on your dates, ask a specialist.
Airport pairs to compare
Boston's Logan airport is unusually close to downtown, separated from the center only by the harbor. The Bay Area has three major airports, and the best one depends on where you are staying. SFO is the main gateway, with Oakland and San Jose as alternatives.
| Pair | Departure airport | Arrival airport |
|---|---|---|
| BOS to SFO | Boston Logan International | San Francisco International |
| BOS to OAK | Boston Logan International | Oakland International |
| BOS to SJC | Boston Logan International | San Jose Mineta International |
Airlines with a major base at either end
- At Boston: Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways
- At San Francisco: United Airlines, Alaska Airlines
Airlines with a base at one end often connect through their hub. A specialist can compare nonstop and connecting options on your dates.
When to go and what to expect
Boston
Fall foliage season (late September through October) is popular and tends to be expensive. Winter storms can disrupt travel.
San Francisco
Late summer and early fall tend to be the warmest and clearest months. Summer mornings are often foggy.
Getting between the airport and town
Boston: The Blue Line subway and the Silver Line bus connect Logan with downtown.
San Francisco: BART trains connect SFO and Oakland to the wider region, which avoids freeway traffic.
Planning ground transport too? See our car rental guide.
Good to know
- Book earlier for fall weekends and graduation season in late spring, when hotels and flights fill up.
- Fog can cause delays at SFO, particularly in the morning. Check all three airports when you compare fares.
- Compare the total with bags included, not just the base fare. See baggage fees and taxes and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Boston from San Francisco?
The straight-line distance between the main airports is about 2,700 miles (4,340 km). Routes can be longer in practice because of air traffic and weather.
How long is a flight from Boston to San Francisco?
A typical scheduled flight takes roughly 5 h 30 min to 6 h 30 min in the air, depending on winds, the aircraft and the airports. Connecting itineraries take longer, and nonstop availability depends on the airline and dates.
Which airports can I use?
At Boston: BOS (Boston Logan International). At San Francisco: SFO (San Francisco International), OAK (Oakland International), SJC (San Jose Mineta International). Ask for prices on more than one pairing.
Is there a time difference?
San Francisco is 3 hours behind Boston.
Do you show fares on this page?
No. Fares change constantly, so we do not publish prices that might be out of date. A specialist checks live availability and confirms the full total, including taxes and bags, before you pay.