San Francisco to San José (Alajuela) (SFO–SJO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SFO–SJO is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. United Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 3,041 miles in approximately 6h 39m. Beyond nonstop, 49 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 7 | B38M | 6h39 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San José (Alajuela) from San Francisco
| Metric | SFO→SJO | OAK→SJO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SFO | – | 11 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 7 | – |
| Flight time | 6h 39m | 5h 44m |
| Departure OTP | 91% | – |
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · SJO: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 7:00 PM in San José (Alajuela).
US passport holders enter Costa Rica visa-free for stays up to 180 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least one day beyond the date of entry. A return or onward ticket is required and airlines will check before boarding. Proof of funds (USD 100 per month of stay) may be requested at immigration.
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.
SFO–SJO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to SJO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SFO to SJO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to SJO ranges from 6 hours 39 minutes. The route covers a distance of 3,041 miles (4,894 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 7 return, totaling 14 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
49 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 7 hours via VNY. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Oakland (OAK).