San Francisco to Hong Kong (SFO–HKG) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SFO–HKG is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Cathay Pacific and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 6,915 miles in approximately 14h 37m. Beyond nonstop, 39 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX Cathay Pacific | 19 | 359, 77W | 14h37-15h15 | Oneworld | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 14 | 77W | 15h30-15h35 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · HKG: HKT
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 9:00 AM (next day) in Hong Kong.
US passport holders enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the planned departure from Hong Kong. At Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), immigration is fast: e-Channel automated gates are available for frequent visitors, while first-time arrivals use the staffed counter. No arrival card is needed since 2023 for US passport holders.
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own immigration system. Entering Hong Kong does not count as entering mainland China. If you plan to cross into mainland China from Hong Kong (by train to Shenzhen or by ferry), you need a separate Chinese visa unless you qualify under China's visa-free transit or tourist visa exemption for US citizens. Hong Kong also connects to Macau by ferry (about 1 hour on TurboJet from Sheung Wan) with separate immigration at both ends.
Direct flights from New York JFK to Hong Kong run about 16 hours on Cathay Pacific. Los Angeles (LAX) to HKG runs about 15 hours on Cathay Pacific and United. San Francisco also has nonstop service. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), pegged at roughly 7.80 HKD per $1. Octopus cards work on the MTR (metro), buses, ferries, 7-Eleven, and most small shops. The Airport Express runs from HKG to Central in 24 minutes for HKD 110 ($14). MTR rides within the urban area cost HKD 5 to HKD 30 ($0.65 to $3.85). Street food and dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) serve meals for HKD 40 to HKD 80 ($5 to $10).
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs from downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell St.) to the SFO station and then a free AirTrain shuttle to all terminals (30–40 min from Embarcadero, $10.45). BART also connects Oakland and Berkeley; useful for East Bay travelers. Trains run from ~4am to midnight.Taxis from downtown San Francisco cost $40–60. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) pick up in the designated area in the garage and are often $30–50 depending on surge pricing. SamTrans buses serve Peninsula cities. Highway 101 and I-280 are heavily congested during commute hours; BART is faster than driving at those times.
Airport Express runs to Hong Kong Station (Central) in 24 minutes for HK$115, departing every 10 minutes from 5:54am to 1:02am. Octopus card discounts apply. Passengers can check bags in at the airport and retrieve them at Hong Kong or Kowloon Station.Taxis to Kowloon cost HK$250–350; to Hong Kong Island, HK$350–450. Ferry services connect to Macau (1 hr, HK$175–220) and Guangzhou/Shenzhen. The Ferry Terminal is in the airport building; no need to leave the terminal. Buses are slower but serve districts not near the MTR.
Subtropical monsoon climate. Typhoon season (June–October) is the primary disruption risk. The airport operates a T1/T3/T8 signal system and closes for Category T8 or above. Typhoons can arrive with 24–48 hours warning and typically pass in 12–24 hours. Check signals before departure during this window.
Winters are mild and mostly dry (12–20°C), ideal for flying. Spring brings fog and low cloud (March–April) that reduces runway visibility. Summer heat and humidity (30–34°C) are moderated at the airport by its coastal location on Lantau Island.
SFO–HKG Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to HKG
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) are connected by nonstop service from Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. With 33 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SFO to HKG Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to HKG ranges from 14 hours 37 minutes to 15 hours 35 minutes. The route covers a distance of 6,915 miles (11,128 km). There are approximately 33 weekly flights outbound and 35 return, totaling 68 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
39 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 14 hours via SEA. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.