Cheap Flights to
San Francisco from Australia

See San Francisco Beyond the Golden Gate

San Francisco makes an impression quickly. Streets climb impossibly steep hills, colourful Victorian houses line entire blocks and the bay seems to appear whenever you turn a corner. Add cable cars rattling through the city and fog rolling in from the Pacific, and even getting from one neighbourhood to another can feel distinctly San Francisco.

There's plenty to discover beyond the famous views. Eat dim sum in Chinatown, browse the bookshops and Italian cafés of North Beach, explore the murals and taquerias of the Mission or spend an afternoon along the waterfront. San Francisco's food scene draws on cultures from across the Pacific and Latin America, while its relatively compact size means you can experience remarkably different neighbourhoods in the same day.

And the city can be the start of a much bigger Northern California trip. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and you can be among the redwoods of Muir Woods, continue north into Napa and Sonoma wine country, head south along the Pacific coast or build Yosemite into a longer itinerary. San Francisco gives you plenty of reasons to stay. Northern California gives you just as many reasons to keep going.

Top Things to Do in San Francisco

When to Fly to San Francisco

January and February are often your best bet for cheaper fares to San Francisco, once the festive rush is over. Winter is relatively mild by US standards, with daytime temperatures often around 12–16°C, although you can expect more rain. September and October can also bring good fares, with the bonus of some of San Francisco's warmest, sunniest weather. Expect to pay more during the busy June to August period and around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. And one San Francisco quirk worth knowing: summer is famously foggy, so higher fares don't necessarily come with better weather.

San Francisco's Airport

Getting Around San Francisco

San Francisco is one of America's most walkable cities, although those famous hills will definitely make you work for it. Pick up a Clipper card for easy travel on Muni buses, trams, BART and the iconic cable cars. For something very San Francisco, you may also spot — or ride in — one of the city's driverless Waymo taxis, alongside the usual Uber and Lyft. For trips outside the city, including Napa, Yosemite or Big Sur, hire a car.

Before You Fly

• ESTA required: Australians need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) approved before flying. Apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. Valid for 2 years and multiple entries.
• Tipping: Tipping is standard in the US — expect to tip 15–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and a few dollars for housekeeping, valet and taxis.
• Layers: San Francisco weather is famously fickle. Bring layers — even summer evenings get cold from the bay fog. Mark Twain (apocryphally): "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
• Travel Insurance: Tourist hotspots across the Bay Area see high rates of vehicle break-ins, while local healthcare costs run extreme. Choosing emergency medical and baggage cover protects against unexpected ER costs, rental car damage excess, and stolen luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions