Travelling from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is Dubai's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) departing from here.
The average time for a direct Dubai to San Francisco International Airport flight is 15 hours 55 minutes.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. The city operates on the UTC-8 timezone and is 12 hours behind Dubai.
You can pick from 7 direct services each week between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This is the most popular route, with Emirates offering a 8:50am departure from DXB to SFO.
To ensure you catch your flight from Dubai to SFO, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Popular months like January or other peak seasons mean longer lines and possible delays. Stay on schedule by getting to the airport even earlier. Aim for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Dubai
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Enjoy an uninterrupted journey from Dubai International Airport (DXB). Direct flights from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be booked from here.
Emirates is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport taking off from DXB.
Most travellers prefer to book seats with Emirates between DXB and SFO.
Among carriers operating on this route, Emirates has the highest percentage of on-time landings.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing cheap flights from Dubai to SFO departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to discover where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Travelling from central Dubai to DXB takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels close to Dubai International Airport:
Of all flights departing from Dubai International Airport, 71% land on schedule at their destination.
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is a popular option between Al Maktoum International Airport and SFO.
DWC is around 48 kilometres from central Dubai. It'll take 40 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Dubai to SFO flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Al Maktoum International Airport:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Al Maktoum International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 71%.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Have a late flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport? Don't let it hijack your sleep schedule. Check in to one of these hotels near SFO and hit the pillow fast:
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle around one week before your Dubai to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
From San Francisco International Airport, central San Francisco is around 21 kilometres away. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the city centre by car.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport is ₹ 56,738. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ₹ 83,672. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Get cheap flights from Dubai to SFO by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on Dubai to San Francisco International Airport tickets. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Dubai to SFO is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a price drop.
Lock in a cheap flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport by using filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
December is the quietest month for flights from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), while July is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Dubai to SFO plane ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 24ºC.
January sees temperatures of between 5ºC and 16ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about San Francisco
Start your San Francisco trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Dubai to San Francisco International Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island are major attractions which should be on every San Francisco itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen San Francisco, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Journey about 257 kilometres east to Fresno to tick off its top sights. From Forestiere Underground Gardens to Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If there's time to check out another well-known destination in the United States, head for Sacramento, roughly 129 kilometres northeast of San Francisco. California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Crocker Art Museum are among its highlights.