When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
In all honesty, there’s never a bad time to visit San Francisco – the Californian city has something going on all year round, and winters usually aren’t too cold to stop you exploring. That said, August – the height of summer – is high season, which means flight prices from Manchester to San Francisco go up in this month. Fall, which runs from September to November, can be a cheaper time and you’re still likely to get good weather.
On the flip side, January is the cheapest time to fly from Manchester to San Francisco. This is winter in California, so it’s less about sun, sand and surf, and more about exploring places like Chinatown and Union Square in a warm coat. There are generally fewer crowds, which means less time queuing for attractions, and hotel prices are often lower around this time.
How many flights are there from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport a week?
There are 546 weekly flights on average.
Which airlines fly from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport?
Thomas Cook Airlines fly direct from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport, while airlines like Virgin Atlantic, KLM, British Airways, Unites Airlines and Air France fly indirectly.
Which airlines have the cheapest flights to San Francisco International Airport?
American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways and Delta offer some of the cheapest flights.
Can I fly direct from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport?
Yes – you can fly direct from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport with Thomas Cook Airlines.
How long is the flight from Manchester Airport to San Francisco International Airport?
The shortest flight time is around 10 hours 55 minutes on this route.
What time should I arrive at Manchester Airport?
As a guide, you need to have checked in and be ready to go through security at least two hours before your flight is due to depart, but check with the airline you’re flying with and aim to get there three hours before departure.
How do I get to Manchester Airport?
Manchester Airport’s train station is in the airport building, so the terminals are easy to walk to. There’s also a 24-hour Stagecoach bus service from the city centre to the airport. By road, Manchester Airport is nine miles south of the city centre, next to the M56 with good links to the M6, M60 and M62. Manchester Airport’s postcode is M90 1QX – check which terminal you’re flying from before you get here, then follow the signs. There’s a free drop-off point on Thorley Lane, next to the JetParks 1 car park.
How do I get to into San Francisco from San Francisco International Airport?
If you’re heading to downtown San Francisco from the airport, it takes about 30 minutes to drive in good traffic. Uber and Lyft are another option if you’re not hiring a car – you’ll need to download the app to your phone before you arrive, and the journey downtown costs around $25-30 in good traffic. As far as public transport goes, the Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART subway, connects the airport to the city. When you land, take the AirTrain to get to the BART station. Then you can get a one-way ticket for just over $8 and travel to stations like Powell Street station, which is a five-minute walk from Union Square. You could also get a licensed taxi from one of the stands in the airport – as a guide, the journey downtown costs around $40 plus a tip.
Do I need a visa to travel to San Francisco?
If you’ve got a UK passport, no. Under the Visa Waiver Programme, or VWP, most UK passport holders can enter the US without a visa for a period of 90 days, but you’ll need to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before you travel.
Airport information
Flying from Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has three passenger terminals, and you can walk between each one easily. There’s a skylink connecting Terminals 1 and 2, which are about a 15-minute walk away from each other, and a covered walkway between Terminals 1 and 3, which are only five minutes apart. Emirates flights set off from Terminal 1, where there are plenty of shops as well as the Escape Lounge, which you can pre-book. British Airways flights set off from Terminal 3, and there are Travelex UK currency exchange services in all three airport terminals if you want to convert your currency before you fly.
Landing in San Francisco Airport
It’s fair to say San Francisco International Airport is busy – it’s California’s second-busiest, and the seventh-busiest in the US. The airport has four terminals altogether – Terminals 1, 2, and 3, and the International Terminal. The terminals are connected by walkways and an AirTrain. There are ATMs in all terminals, and a bank in Terminal 3. There are also currency exchange points throughout the International Terminal, plus an extra kiosk in Terminal 3 departures. As for onward travel, the BART – or Bay Area Rapid Transit subway – is a popular way to get into the city. From the airport, take the AirTrain to get to the BART station. Then you can get a one-way ticket for just over $8 and get to stations like Powell Street station, which is a five-minute walk from Union Square.
