Cheap Flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to Tokyo Haneda (HND)

Flying from San Francisco to Tokyo is more than a trip from one large city to another. You are going from the city of cable cars to a city of world famous mass transit, as well as a culture built around ancient arts, bowing instead of handshakes, festivals galore, and many different customs (counting change after a transaction is considered rude). Read a bit about Tokyo culture before going. Also, learn about your route, flight options and transportation choices.

Your Route Options and Flight Information

You can fly American Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, China Eastern, United, Virgin America, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines on this route. Though there are some one-stop flights, you can find many non-stop flights on these airlines.

To find the best flight deals to Tokyo, use Skyscanner’s flightbooking tool.

What You Can Expect at San Francisco International Airport

The San Francisco International Airport has four terminals. You will depart for Tokyo from the International Terminal. Traffic to the airport is congested, so leave extra time to get there if you are driving. You should park at the International Garage to be nearest the International Terminal. The day rate here is $36.

You can shop at City by the Bay, California Wine Country Gourmet, Pacific Gift and News, CNBC News, and San Francisco Bay Reader, to give just a few examples of shops at this airport. Restaurants include Bay Bridge Snack Bar, Emporio Rulli, Firewood Grill, and Tomokazu Japanese Cuisine.

What You Will Find at the Tokyo Haneda Airport

This airport has three terminals. You will be flying into the International Terminal. This terminal has lounges that are owned by Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Cathay Pacific Airways.

The airport has 40 restaurants. Some highlights include Airso Sushi, Café 108, Curacion Café, Ginza Ogura, Hokkaido Kitchen, Japanese Bistro Uraraka, True Soup, WA-Cafeteria, and Tully’s Coffee. With 36 different shops to choose from, you can find just about anything you want. You can shop at Books and Drugs South, Character Shop Haikara, Hakuhinka Toy Park, Hello Kitty Japan, Makannai Cosme, Travel Convenience, Airport Drug and Omoshiro T-Shirt-Ya.

Taxis are available at the exit from the International Terminal. Be aware that Tokyo taxis come in sizes. Small and medium taxis are designed to carry only three passengers, while minivans carry six and a full-size van can carry up to nine people. Ask in advance what tolls you will be responsible for. To drive in Tokyo, you will need an International Driver’s Permit, in addition to your United States driver’s license. You can get your international permit from the American Automobile Association or the National Automobile Club before you leave the United States. Once you have your permit, reserve a rental car by using Skyscanner’s car rental tool.Tokyo has an extensive mass transit system. Trains are run by different companies, not by the city. You pay according to the distance you travel.

What You Will Need for Security

You do not need a visa to go to Tokyo from the United States, but you do need a passport.

Time Zone

Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco.

Climate You Can Expect in Tokyo

Tokyo is humid. There is no dry season. The average temperature is 60 degrees. In the winter, you will find that the temperature ranges between 36 degrees and 50 degrees. In summer, the temperature stays between 70 degrees and 82 degrees. The rainiest month is September, with 7 inches of rain, while the least rainy months are January, February and December, with 2 inches in each of those months.

Prices You Will Pay in Tokyo

You will find Tokyo to be less expensive than San Francisco. In fact, restaurants are 35% cheaper. A dinner at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around $9.00. A three-course meal for two costs around $47.00. You can get a beer for about $3.60, and a soft drink for $1.20. Even McDonald’s is cheaper, costing about $6.00 for an average meal at that restaurant. Taxis are a bit higher than San Francisco cab fares. In San Francisco, you pay $3.00 per mile, but in Tokyo you will pay $4.90.