Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Beijing: what you need to know
Around 11 hours 55 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing.
Beijing is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Beijing observes the UTC+8 timezone.
With nine flights a week between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the busiest route. Board United Airlines's 10:35 flight to get your trip from SFO to PEK underway.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your SFO to Beijing flight.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow a little extra breathing room. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct San Francisco International Airport to Beijing ticket. Start your trip at SFO and land at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
Be on the lookout for deals with United Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing.
We make it easy to book flight tickets from SFO to Beijing with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Haneda Airport (HND)
Located around 18 kilometres from central San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near SFO. Whether you're catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of all flights departing from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Beijing
ج.م. 21,309 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Beijing flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is ج.م. 39,613. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
To snag cheap flights from SFO to Beijing, book your trip six months before your departure date.
The best month for scoring cheap San Francisco International Airport to Beijing tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Snapping up a cheap flight from SFO to Beijing is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a cheaper option becomes available.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to the centre of Beijing takes about 40 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 31 kilometres away.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing. Reserve one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Venture beyond Beijing and explore places that aren't on most itineraries with your own wheels. You can pick up a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car from Hertz.
Reserve your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport several weeks ahead of your flight from SFO to Beijing. If you're going away during peak season, book even earlier to get the best deal.
You'll find PEK at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Beijing is roughly 56 kilometres from Daxing International Airport (PKX).
You'll find some comfortable places to park your luggage (and yourself) near PKX. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your SFO to Beijing flight at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Beijing
Before locking in your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Beijing offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Beijing is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 35ºC. Book your San Francisco International Airport to Beijing flight ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC and 3ºC.
More about Beijing
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Beijing right here. Explore these options once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Beijing:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are must-do's during your Beijing adventure.
Explore more of China
Beijing has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of China just waiting to be discovered. Around 113 kilometres south-east of Beijing, a trip to Tianjin will keep you busy. Start with attractions like Porcelain house, Haihe River and Italian Style Town.
Around 418 kilometres south of Beijing, Tai'an is another essential stop in China. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave.
