Ixtapa to San Francisco (ZIH–SFO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
ZIH–SFO is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Alaska Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 1,876 miles in approximately 4h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 11 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS Alaska Airlines | 1 | 7M9 | 4h35 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
ZIH: CST · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Ixtapa, it's 5:00 PM in San Francisco.
Mexican passport holders need a B1/B2 visa to enter the United States. The visa is obtained through a US embassy or consulate and requires an in-person interview. B1/B2 visas are typically issued for 10 years with stays of up to 6 months per entry.
For land crossings within the border zone, a Border Crossing Card (BCC) is an alternative. The BCC costs USD 185 and is valid for 10 years. It allows entry up to 25 miles from the border in Texas and California, or 55 miles in New Mexico and Arizona. Travel by air or beyond the border zone requires a full B1/B2 visa with a valid passport.
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.
ZIH–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from ZIH to SFO
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from Alaska Airlines. With 1 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
ZIH to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ZIH to SFO ranges from 4 hours 35 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,876 miles (3,019 km). There are approximately 1 weekly flights outbound and 1 return, totaling 2 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
11 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 21 hours via LAX. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.