Hong Kong to San Francisco (HKG–SFO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
HKG–SFO is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and Cathay Pacific lead the route. The flight covers 6,915 miles in approximately 12h 15m. Beyond nonstop, 51 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 15 | 77W | 12h35-12h49 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| CX Cathay Pacific Also: MH | 14 | 77W | 12h30 | – | Oneworld | MH |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San Francisco from Hong Kong
| Metric | HKG→SFO | CAN→SFO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from HKG | – | 84 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 43 | 2 |
| Flight time | 12h 15m | 12h 20m |
Travel Essentials
HKG: HKT · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Hong Kong, it's 3:00 AM in San Francisco.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders are not eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program or ESTA. You must apply for a US visa (typically B-1/B-2) at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong before travel. Interview appointments are required and wait times vary. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas are typically issued for 10 years with multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit.
Airport Express runs from Hong Kong Station (Central) to the airport in 24 minutes; from Kowloon, 21 minutes. Trains depart every 10 minutes from 5:54am to 1:15am (HK$115 from Central). Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station offer in-town check-in up to one day before departure.Taxis from Kowloon run around HK$300–350 via the Tsing Ma Bridge; from Hong Kong Island, expect HK$400+. Ferries serve Macau and Pearl River Delta cities. Buses are available but slow. The airport is on Lantau Island, 34km from Central.
BART from SFO station (free AirTrain from any terminal to the station) to downtown San Francisco takes 30–40 minutes ($10.45 to Embarcadero). Traffic on 101 can make taxis and ride-hails much slower during peak hours; BART skips all of that. BART also reaches Oakland, Berkeley, and Millbrae for Caltrain connections.Ride-hails from SFO use a dedicated garage pickup area; follow signs. Taxis are metered; downtown SF costs $40–60. Caltrain to the Peninsula (Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose) requires taking BART to Millbrae station for the transfer. Rental cars are at a consolidated facility accessible by AirTrain.
Coastal fog dominates the climate pattern. The thick marine layer ("Karl the Fog") rolls into SFO from the Pacific regularly in summer (June–September), causing significant low-visibility delays even on days that appear sunny inland. Morning fog burns off by afternoon most days, but persistent IFR conditions can last all day. This is the primary flight disruption risk at SFO.
Temperatures are mild year-round (10–20°C) with little seasonal variation. Winters bring rain (December–March) and occasional atmospheric river events that cause brief but intense flooding on the 101. Summers are cool. Pack a light jacket year-round. Wind off the bay affects small aircraft approach paths.
HKG–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from HKG to SFO
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. With 43 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
HKG to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from HKG to SFO ranges from 12 hours 15 minutes to 12 hours 49 minutes. The route covers a distance of 6,915 miles (11,128 km). There are approximately 43 weekly flights outbound and 28 return, totaling 71 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
51 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 14 hours via FAI. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Guangzhou (Huadu) (CAN).