Flights from Melbourne to San Francisco

Compare Cheap Melbourne to San Francisco Flights

San Francisco has been the backdrop to many movies, television shows, and popular songs over the years. A visit to the City by the Bay can include taking in many popular attractions, such as the at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison and the iconic cable cars. No matter if you’re planning a family holiday, a couples’ trip, or are using San Francisco as the first stop of your tour of California, look for cheap flights from Melbourne to San Francisco on Webjet. With deals on hundreds of flights, you can save big money on your next trip before you even leave for the airport.

When you use Webjet’s Deal Finder to book return flights from Melbourne to San Francisco, you can find the airline, flight class, and travel preferences that fit perfectly into your budget.

The best time to visit San Francisco

Travelling to San Francisco in the spring months of March through May can put you ahead of the summer crowds. Daytime temperatures average 15°C (60°F), making exploring the city on foot ideal. Return flights from Melbourne to San Francisco should be booked well in advance if you’re travelling in the summer. While temperatures in June through August rarely make it above 21°C (70°F), the promise of summertime festivities draws crowds from all over the world. Autumn months from September through November experience warmer weather and lots of sunshine. Temperatures average 22°C (72°F) during the day, but can quickly drop when the sun goes down. If you don’t mind the rainfall and 10° C (50°F) daytime temperatures, you can snag great deals on cheap flights from Melbourne to San Francisco in the winter. From December through March,l fewer crowds means easier access to attractions and lower hotel rates.

Departing From Melbourne

Return flights from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) depart from Terminal 2. Qantas is the only airline to offer cheap airfares from MEL to SFO on a 14-hour, non-stop flight. Virgin Australia, Delta, United Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer flights to SFO with stopovers in Los Angeles (LAX) or Hong Kong (HKG).   

Getting to Melbourne Airport

There are two main ways of reaching Melbourne Airport (MEL) from the CBD. The most convenient, especially for those travelling to the airport from the city’s suburbs, is a taxi or ride-share service. A taxi fare tends to run at about $55, depending on departure location. Another alternative is to use a public coach via a SkyBus route. The main connection departs from Southern Cross Station and runs express to the airport. One-way travel on this City Express is $19 per person. Other SkyBus services are available from Southbank/Docklands, St Kilda and the Mornington Peninsula.

Parking at Melbourne Airport

If you plan on leaving your car at the airport for your MEL to SFO trip, pre-book your parking space up to nine months before departing.

Where to Park at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has three parking options that can fit your travel needs and budget.
 
Valet: Quick service for parking with easy access to the terminals. No need to book ahead; just drive to level 2 on the Terminal 1 end of the car park, drop off your keys, and head to your terminal. Those with cheap return flights from MEL to SFO with Virgin Australia, you can enjoy a private Valet entrance located at the Terminal 3 end of level 2.
At Terminal Parking: Includes covered parking and is a short two-minute walk to the terminals. You’ll be heading to San Francisco Airport out of Terminal 2 and will need to enter the At Terminal Car Park from Terminal Drive.
Long Term: The best option for big savings on your trip to San Francisco. Enter the car park on Terminal Road and catch the shuttle bus to Terminal 2.

Arriving in San Francisco

Melbournians travelling from MEL to SFO should apply for the ESTA travel authorisation at least 72 hours prior to departure. This electronic visa will allow you to get through customs and inspections faster upon arriving at San Francisco International (SFO).

How to Get from San Francisco International Airport to Your San Francisco Hotel or Accommodation

Uber, Lyft and taxis service passengers from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to the downtown area. Taxi rides should be arranged with the attendant in the taxi rank and should cost around $37 USD ($51 AUD) for a one-way fare. Uber and Lyft tend to cost around $26 USD ($36 AUD). The cheapest way to get from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown is on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART). This subway system runs from SFO to downtown in less than 60 minutes and it only costs $9.50 USD ($13 AUD) per person. Take the Airtrain from the arrivals terminal to the BART station.

Things to do in San Francisco

A tour of the Golden Gate Bridge area is the highpoint of any San Francisco holiday. The welcome centre offers a bit of history of the bridge, exhibits showcasing the bridge’s original ‘test tower’, and a souvenir shop. You can take a walking tour of the Golden Gate Bridge or head to Vista Point to snap a postcard-worthy photo. Enjoy a concert from local or big-name musicians at the Palace of Fine Arts. Even if you don’t take in a show, stroll through the grounds to admire the details of the Greek- and Roman-inspired architecture, with giant pillars and intricately carved statues at every turn. Zig zag your way down Lombard Street. Head to Lombard Street, a thoroughfare you may recognise from movies or by its sharp twists and turns. This street has been dubbed ‘The Crookedest Street in San Francisco’ and is also recognisable thanks to its red-brick pavers. Even if you’re in San Francisco on business, make time to ride the cable car. The cars transport tourists and locals up and down the steep hills of the city. If you have time, take in a bit of history at the Cable Car Museum on Mason Street.