SBA - SFO

$69 Find Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco departing on 2/20. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco (SBA-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Recommended round-trip deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
2:06 pm - 3:24 pmSBA-SFO
1h 18mnonstop
10:40 pm - 11:57 pmSFO-SBA
1h 17mnonstop
$137United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Feb 20 - Thu, Feb 20
6:00 am - 9:50 amSBA-SFO
3h 50m1 stop
10:40 pm - 11:57 pmSFO-SBA
1h 17mnonstop
$147United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Feb 20 - Thu, Feb 20
2:11 pm - 3:25 pmSBA-SFO
1h 14mnonstop
10:50 am - 12:09 pmSFO-SBA
1h 19mnonstop
$152United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Mar 8 - Wed, Mar 12
4:20 pm - 12:20 amSBA-SFO
8h 00m1 stop
5:40 am - 12:10 pmSFO-SBA
6h 30m1 stop
$172Southwest
Find Deal
Sat, Mar 15 - Tue, Mar 18
4:20 pm - 12:20 amSBA-SFO
8h 00m1 stop
5:20 am - 12:10 pmSFO-SBA
6h 50m2 stops
$177Southwest
Find Deal
Sat, Mar 15 - Tue, Mar 18
7:27 pm - 1:38 pmSBA-SFO
18h 11m2 stops
8:05 am - 6:37 pmSFO-SBA
10h 32m2 stops
$363Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Mar 11 - Thu, Mar 13
5:45 am - 7:57 pmSBA-SFO
14h 12m2 stops
4:40 pm - 12:35 pmSFO-SBA
19h 55m2 stops
$375Delta
Find Deal
Sat, Mar 8 - Mon, Mar 10
7:27 pm - 9:14 amSBA-SFO
13h 47m1 stop
11:11 am - 6:37 pmSFO-SBA
7h 26m2 stops
$398Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Mar 15 - Mon, Mar 17
9:59 am - 9:00 pmSBA-SFO
11h 01m2 stops
6:45 am - 6:18 pmSFO-SBA
11h 33m2 stops
$764American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Feb 22 - Tue, Feb 25
9:59 am - 9:00 pmSBA-SFO
11h 01m2 stops
11:35 am - 10:12 pmSFO-SBA
10h 37m2 stops
$867American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Feb 15 - Mon, Feb 17

Flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to San Francisco on a Friday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to Santa Barbara, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Fridays for better deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is May, where tickets cost $260 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are January and October, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $429 and $369 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 2 stops layover the cheapest option at $682 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

June

High season

November

Cheapest flight

$69
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 0% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 5% increase in price.
Flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

When to book flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Santa Barbara to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

  • Where can I spend the night at San Francisco airport?

    Passengers looking to spend the night at the airport because they arrived late can spend the night at terminal 1. There is a hallway towards gate 50, near the yoga room. The hallway is equipped with comfortable couches that you can utilize. You just need to carry an extra blanket for more comfort.

  • How can I fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    From Santa Barbara airport to San Francisco, there are a number of flights or airlines that you can use, for instance, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, that offer nonstop flight options. Alternatively, if you want to save money, you can opt for connecting flights with one-stop options. For instance, American and United airlines offer connecting flights with layovers at LAX and PHX.

  • Are there any onsite hotels in San Francisco?

    There are many top-rated hotels at and near San Francisco Airport, so if you are landing late, you can consider booking with them. You can book your stay with Grand Hyatt At SFO, Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel, SFO Airport Hotel, El Rancho Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. These hotels offer exceptional services, including free airport shuttle services.

  • What amenities does Santa Barbara airport offer nursing mothers?

    Nursing mothers traveling through Santa Barbara airport will have a chance to use the special nursing room located on the terminal building's second floor. The room is well equipped with a rocking baby chair, a changing table, a shower for the mothers and a private room for pumping the milk or for breastfeeding.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco was $69 for a one-way ticket and $137 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Santa Barbara and San Francisco?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Santa Barbara to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Santa Barbara to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    There are nonstop flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from Santa Barbara is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to Santa Barbara with another airline. Booking your flights between Santa Barbara and SFO can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from Santa Barbara up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $185 or less one-way and $317 or less round-trip.
  • It’s important to arrive at Santa Barbara airport (SBA) at least 2h earlier before takeoff. This is because Santa Barbara airport is busy sometimes. Coming early will give you a chance to get done with the security check on time and get your ticket and boarding pass.
  • Santa Barbara provides a variety of parking locations when you are flying out of Santa Barbara to San Francisco. You can use the international parking lot on the third floor at terminal 1 if you intend to park for a long time. They also have a daily parking lot at the new garage next to the gate. This parking lot allows travelers to park for a few hours. There are other parking lots on the ground floor and the second floor. Shuttle drivers and drivers coming to pick up and drop off passengers can use them.
  • While you are waiting to board your flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, you can take advantage of the extensive selection of amenities provided at the departure and arrival hall. You can grab something to snack on at the restaurant on your left from the baggage claim area.
  • There is entertainment available on board your flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. You can watch a movie and play games with other passengers. There are also kid-friendly games and a channel on the offered TV channels. Additionally, they offer amenities and services like meals, drinks, and snacks.
  • When you arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you can visit the information desk or office in terminal 1 if you're interested in learning more specific details. As an alternative, you might speak with their employees who are close to you; they might be able to assist. For instance, you can ask any close staff member where the children's changing area is located. You are not required to visit the office.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Find which airlines fly direct from Santa Barbara Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Monday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Tuesday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Wednesday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Thursday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Friday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Saturday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Emirates, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Sunday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Monday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Emirates, +2 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +3 more

Tuesday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Wednesday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Emirates, +2 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +3 more

Thursday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Friday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Copa Airlines, +3 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +4 more

Saturday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, +2 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +3 more

Sunday

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Emirates, +2 more

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +3 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top airline flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Santa Barbara to San Francisco? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.4
United AirlinesOverall score based on 8913 reviews
7.1Entertainment
6.7Food
7.3Comfort
8.1Crew
7.7Boarding
Airline reviews

Awful. Worst airline I have ever been on. Crew were among the rudest people I have ever dealt with. United staff members were rude and disrespectful. My flight was delayed, causing me to miss a connecting flight. I understand things happen, but when staff start lying about what actually happened, that is when I have an issue. Just be honest, really it isn’t that hard. I’m being very honest with this review and I don’t find this difficult what so ever. In fact, because of United Airlines, my Christmas holiday was off to a really rocky start. As someone who has traveled across the world, it has only been United that I have had a truly awful experience.

2.0 MediocreSammy, Jan 2025MCO - SFO
Read more United Airlines reviews

Awful. Worst airline I have ever been on. Crew were among the rudest people I have ever dealt with. United staff members were rude and disrespectful. My flight was delayed, causing me to miss a connecting flight. I understand things happen, but when staff start lying about what actually happened, that is when I have an issue. Just be honest, really it isn’t that hard. I’m being very honest with this review and I don’t find this difficult what so ever. In fact, because of United Airlines, my Christmas holiday was off to a really rocky start. As someone who has traveled across the world, it has only been United that I have had a truly awful experience.

Good flight. On time. Boarding and seating was easy. Crew were really friendly, yet professional. Bathroom (by cockpit) was small but serviceable. Some the seats were showing some notable wear & tear, but were comfy. Very happy UA customer. TY! 🤛🏽💗

We were delayed 3x and because I didn’t purchase my tickets directly from United Airlines I was told I Have to take care of it myself so I called Underpricer and they helped me but before I changed my flights I took the risk of sticking by what my tickets were and was lucky to have gotten on the original all flight with only 15 mins before take off. not sure if I will do this again

Everything good until we waited for jet bridge at SFO. Then pilot gets on speaker & said it won’t reach plane- too short, need to go to different gate. Then 5 min later, adjusted plane/jetbridge & all ok?!?

We had to wait almost an hour for the wheelchair porter to be ready to pick up my mother. And when she arrived in Newark airport the porter was not there and she started walking with her cane and her poor mobility. When the Newark porter found her they didn't want to transfer her bags to the wheelchair for her.

Great onboard crew. Boarding was a zoo, I got in line before pre boarding in Group 2, still had my bag force checked. WiFi was glitchy all flight. Seat and bathroom are both tiny unless you pay $$$ for first class.

Cabin was pitch black, even during meal service. The reading lights for seat 2E/F did not work, and seat 2E did not recline.

Was realllly smooth. It was delayed but we were well informed.

Delayed by 2.5hrs any longer and they would’ve had to honour their own policy for breaking their own rules and regs. Not cool, especially when I have an infant child that needs to stay on a routine and they get schedules.

To san Francisco it was ok. From sf to Manila it was horrible

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