Zurich to San Francisco (ZRH–SFO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
ZRH–SFO is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Swiss and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 5,826 miles in approximately 11h 18m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX Swiss | 14 | 777, 77W | 11h14-11h50 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 777 | 11h18 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach San Francisco from Zurich
| Metric | ZRH→SFO | STR→SFO |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from ZRH | – | 91 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 21 | – |
| Flight time | 11h 18m | 12h 20m |
Travel Essentials
ZRH: CEST · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Zurich, it's 9:00 AM in San Francisco.
Switzerland is part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Swiss passport holders need an approved ESTA to enter the US. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. The fee is USD 21. ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries.
ESTA permits stays up to 90 days per visit. You cannot extend or change your immigration status while on ESTA. If denied, you must apply for a B1/B2 visa at the US Embassy in Bern. At the border, CBP officers may ask about your travel purpose, return ticket, and accommodation. Your passport must be valid for the duration of the stay.
Direct SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains run from Zurich HB (main station) to the airport station in 10 minutes, departing every 10–15 minutes for CHF 6.80 with a standard zone 1–2 ticket. From other Swiss cities, intercity trains call at Zurich Airport station directly; Basel (65 min), Bern (90 min), Geneva (2h45) all have direct connections. The airport station is integrated beneath the terminal.Taxis from Zurich city centre cost CHF 55–75 and take 15–25 minutes via the A1 motorway. Driving is practical; the terminal has a large multi-storey car park (P1/P2/P3) with short- and long-term rates. Rental cars are on-site.
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.
ZRH–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from ZRH to SFO
Zürich Airport (ZRH) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from Swiss and United Airlines. With 21 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
ZRH to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from ZRH to SFO is about 11 hours 18 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 5,826 miles (9,376 km). There are approximately 21 weekly flights outbound and 21 return, totaling 42 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Copenhagen Kastrup, Los Angeles and Vancouver. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Stuttgart (STR).