- Must visit
Orange County Museum of Art
Major contemporary art museum in nearby Costa Mesa, widely visited for its architecture and changing exhibitions.
Flights from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA depart on average 63 times per day, taking around 1h 34m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at $103 (€85) but you can travel from only $58 (€47) by bus.
There are 15 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 00:17, the last at 23:58. The fastest flight covers the 383 miles (617 km) distance in 1h 37m. May is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 383 miles (617 km) |
Average flight duration 1h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $103 (€85) |
Flights per day 63 |
Direct flights 15 |
Fastest flight 1h 37m |
First flight 12:17 AM |
Last flight 11:58 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 35 days |
Cheapest price
$141
Average price
$332
Fastest journey
1 h 37 m
Average duration
2 h 39 m
Flights per day
5
Distance
617 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA will cost around $332 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $141.
Of the 5 flights that leave San Francisco, CA for Irvine, CA onTue, Jun 23, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 23 the direct flights cover the 617 km distance in an average of 2 h 39 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 1 h 37 m .
On Tue, Jun 23 the longest flights will take 6 h 17 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $58. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 34m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $58, and a flight costs an average of $103.
Distance: 383 miles (617 km)
| Flight | Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$324 Average price | $79 Average price | $79 Average price Cheapest | $85 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 1h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 31m Average total duration 12h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 10m Average total duration 10h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA:
A bus is $0.28 (€0.23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $79 (€65).
A bus is $245 (€200) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $324 (€265).
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 10h 40m.
Train takes on average 12h 1m.
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA flights for today, Monday, June 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AA3281 · AA2644 | 12:26 AM San Francisco International Airport | 7h55 | 8:21 AM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1479 · UA1320 | 5:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 7h51 | 12:51 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1479 · UA1707 | 5:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 9h56 | 2:56 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1479 · UA2657 | 5:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 12h30 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1198 · AA2684 | 5:23 AM San Francisco International Airport | 8h15 | 1:38 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2659+ AA6404 | 5:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 9h54 | 3:34 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2685+ AA6404 | 5:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 13h07 | 6:47 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA3171+ AA6404 | 5:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 6h51 | 12:31 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2655+ AA6404 | 5:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 6h03 | 11:43 AM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA582 · UA1315 · UA2657 | 6:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h30 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA582 · UA1315 · UA1707 | 6:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 8h56 | 2:56 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1233 · UA1320 | 6:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 6h36 | 12:51 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1233 · UA1707 | 6:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 8h41 | 2:56 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1233 · UA2657 | 6:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h15 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA7418 | 6:35 AM San Francisco International Airport | 1h40 | 8:15 AM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA5236 | 7:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 1h47 | 9:02 AM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
AA2904 · AA2688 | 8:00 AM San Francisco International Airport | 7h40 | 3:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2414 · AA2659 | 8:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 7h19 | 3:34 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2414 · AA2637 | 8:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 14h04 | 10:19 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2414 · AA3171 | 8:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 4h16 | 12:31 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2414 · AA2685 | 8:15 AM San Francisco International Airport | 10h32 | 6:47 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5375 · UA725 | 8:20 AM San Francisco International Airport | 13h41 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2348 · UA2657 | 8:31 AM San Francisco International Airport | 8h59 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2348 · UA1704 | 8:31 AM San Francisco International Airport | 12h09 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2348 · UA1707 | 8:31 AM San Francisco International Airport | 6h25 | 2:56 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5405 · UA4720 · UA2657 | 8:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 8h50 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5405 · UA1662 · UA1704 | 8:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 12h00 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2382 · UA1323 · UA725 | 8:42 AM San Francisco International Airport | 13h19 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2382 · UA1323 · UA1704 | 8:42 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h58 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA9372 | 9:28 AM San Francisco International Airport | 1h43 | 11:11 AM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA643 | 10:23 AM San Francisco International Airport | 1h43 | 12:06 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA1604 · UA1704 | 10:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 10h00 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1604 · UA2657 | 10:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 6h50 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1604 · UA725 | 10:40 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h21 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA611 · UA2108 · UA725 | 10:42 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h19 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA611 · UA1323 · UA725 | 10:42 AM San Francisco International Airport | 11h19 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA611 · UA1323 · UA1704 | 10:42 AM San Francisco International Airport | 9h58 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA571 | 12:00 PM San Francisco International Airport | 1h45 | 1:45 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA2449 · UA2108 · UA725 | 12:00 PM San Francisco International Airport | 10h01 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2548 · AA2685 | 12:21 PM San Francisco International Airport | 6h26 | 6:47 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2548 · AA2637 | 12:21 PM San Francisco International Airport | 9h58 | 10:19 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA9310 | 12:30 PM San Francisco International Airport | 1h39 | 2:09 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
AA3258 · AA806 | 12:36 PM San Francisco International Airport | 7h50 | 8:26 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA540 · UA725 | 12:43 PM San Francisco International Airport | 9h18 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA540 · UA1704 | 12:43 PM San Francisco International Airport | 7h57 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5440 | 1:39 PM San Francisco International Airport | 1h52 | 3:31 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA2017 · UA1910 · UA725 | 1:56 PM San Francisco International Airport | 8h05 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2387 · AA348 | 2:03 PM San Francisco International Airport | 7h57 | 10:00 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1596 · UA725 | 2:20 PM San Francisco International Airport | 7h41 | 10:01 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1596 · UA1704 | 2:20 PM San Francisco International Airport | 6h20 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA9298 | 3:48 PM San Francisco International Airport | 1h38 | 5:26 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
AA1321 · AA2637 | 3:54 PM San Francisco International Airport | 6h25 | 10:19 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5650 | 4:55 PM San Francisco International Airport | 1h52 | 6:47 PM John Wayne Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Discover the best of Irvine — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Irvine trip today.
Major contemporary art museum in nearby Costa Mesa, widely visited for its architecture and changing exhibitions.
University museum focused on California art, with rotating exhibitions and a strong regional perspective.
Interactive children’s museum with a miniature city designed for hands-on learning and family visits.
Vast public park with sports fields, gardens, art spaces, and the city’s signature balloon attraction.
Tranquil wetland walking area with birdlife, reflective ponds, and easy trails close to central Irvine.
Scenic open-space preserve with hiking trails, oak woodland, and a more local feel than busier parks.
A Southern California staple of grilled or fried fish in tortillas with cabbage, salsa, and crema. Irvine locals commonly enjoy it as a casual coastal comfort food.
A regional favorite filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa. It reflects the Mexican American fast-casual food culture found across Orange County.
A popular Hawaiian-inspired dish of marinated raw fish over rice with fresh toppings. It is especially common in Irvine because of the city’s broader Pacific Rim food scene.
Popular ramen shop known for rich tonkotsu broth, handmade noodles, and a modern casual atmosphere.
Well-known Taiwanese restaurant famous for soup dumplings, noodles, and precise service in a polished, lively setting.
Stylish Italian restaurant serving housemade pasta, pizza, and cocktails, suitable for both casual dinners and date nights.
Irvine is pricier than many U.S. cities, especially for hotels and dining, though casual meals are manageable.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis 10-15%, hotel staff USD 2-5, and round up for coffee jars.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Irvine, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Francisco, CA to Irvine, CA flights use the San Francisco International Airport to John Wayne Airport airport pair. Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and Irvine, CA airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
San Francisco International Airport is 1 km from San Francisco city centre. Public transport options include:
San Francisco International Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge, and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located throughout all terminals.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at San Francisco International Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Francisco International Airport: Elevators, ramps, toilets.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need