International route
Cheap flights from San Francisco to Beijing
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). 5,899 miles, 12h 5m nonstop.
SFO to PEK at a glance
Computed from airline schedules and the fares we track for this route. Refreshed several times a day.
- Distance
- 5,899 milesgreat-circle
- Typical flight time
- 12h 5mnonstop, gate to gate
- Nonstop airlines
- UA1 airlineUnited
- Nonstop flights per day
- 1all airlines combined
- Cheapest month
- January 2027over the next six months
- Best day to fly
- Tuesday18% less than Sunday
- Time difference
- 15h aheadBeijing vs San Francisco
San Francisco to Beijing
Round trips from $433
Per traveler, taxes and fees included. Lowest fare we found departs Tue, Jan 5.
Cheapest month: January 2027
See fares on these datesLock any fare free — pay only when you accept your last-minute deal
Or ask an agent on WhatsAppSan Francisco to Beijing fares by month
Lowest round-trip economy fare per traveler in each of the next six months, taxes and fees included. Select a month to search that date.
Airlines flying San Francisco to Beijing
1 airline flies nonstop with 1 departures a day combined, plus 17 more with one stop.
- UAUnited AirlinesStar AllianceNonstop · 1 flight a day · first checked bag from $40
- AMAeroméxicoSkyTeamConnecting via GDL · first checked bag from $40
- ACAir CanadaStar AllianceConnecting via YVR, YUL, YYC · first checked bag from $35
- ASAlaska AirlinesoneworldConnecting via ANC · first checked bag from $35
- AAAmerican AirlinesoneworldConnecting via CLT, ORD, LAX, DCA, JFK · first checked bag from $40
- NHANA All Nippon AirwaysStar AllianceConnecting via HND, NRT · first checked bag included
- OZAsiana AirlinesStar AllianceConnecting via ICN · first checked bag included
- CXCathay PacificoneworldConnecting via HKG · first checked bag included
- CIChina AirlinesSkyTeamConnecting via TPE · first checked bag included
- DLDelta Air LinesSkyTeamConnecting via ATL, MSP, DTW, JFK, BOS · first checked bag from $35
- BREVA AirStar AllianceConnecting via TPE · first checked bag included
- AYFinnaironeworldConnecting via HEL · first checked bag from $70
- JLJapan AirlinesoneworldConnecting via HND, NRT, KIX · first checked bag included
- B6JetBlueConnecting via BOS, LAX · first checked bag from $40
- KEKorean AirSkyTeamConnecting via ICN · first checked bag included
- PRPhilippine AirlinesConnecting via MNL · first checked bag included
- VBVivaLow-costConnecting via MTY · first checked bag from $45
- Y4VolarisLow-costConnecting via TIJ · first checked bag from $45
Connecting options
Hubs where one airline can carry you on both legs, most choices first.
- Los Angeles (LAX)AAB62 airlines
- New York (JFK)AADL2 airlines
- Boston (BOS)DLB62 airlines
- Tokyo (HND)JLNH2 airlines
- Tokyo (NRT)JLNH2 airlines
Which airport should I use?
San Francisco has 3 airports. Fares can differ by $50 to $150 round trip between them, so check the alternatives before you book.
Tips for this route
- Only United flies this route nonstop, which keeps nonstop fares firm. A one-stop itinerary through LAX or JFK is usually cheaper if you can spare the extra three to five hours.
- January 2027 is the cheapest month to fly over the next six months, with round trips from $433; September 2026 is the most expensive at $583 and up, a difference of $150 per traveler.
- Departing on a Tuesday averages 18% less than a Sunday on this route. If your dates are flexible, shift the outbound by a day or two and check the calendar view before you book.
- Book 2 to 5 months ahead for the best fares; long-haul seats sell out earliest for summer and holiday travel.
- Beijing is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco. Expect to lose 15 hours on the clock heading east, so an overnight or late-afternoon departure tends to arrive at a more usable hour.
Ready to compare live fares?
See every airline on SFO–PEK side by side with bags and seat rules spelled out.
Search San Francisco to BeijingSan Francisco to Beijing: common questions
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Beijing?
A nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 12h 5m gate to gate, covering 5,899 miles. Connecting itineraries add the layover, typically 2 to 5 hours more in total.
Which airlines fly nonstop from SFO to PEK?
United Airlines operates nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (PEK), with 1 nonstop departure a day between them. One-stop options connect through LAX, JFK and BOS.
What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Beijing?
Over the next six months, January 2027 has the lowest round-trip fares from San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (PEK), starting at $433 per traveler including taxes and fees. Within any month, Tuesday departures average the lowest prices.
How far in advance should I book San Francisco to Beijing flights?
Book 2 to 5 months ahead for the best fares; long-haul seats sell out earliest for summer and holiday travel. Air1 Tickets includes free cancellation within 24 hours of booking on every fare, so you can lock in a good price and keep looking.
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Beijing?
Beijing is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco. SFO is on America/Los Angeles time and PEK on Asia/Shanghai time. Departure and arrival times in search results are always shown in local time at each airport.
Related routes
Other popular city pairs from the same departure city and to the same destination, with the lowest round-trip fares we found.
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