Cheap Flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Along with Los Angeles, San Francisco is one of the major gateway cities for flights going to and coming from Asia. Regular nonstop service from San Francisco to Tokyo's Narita International is available from United and ANA Airlines; this direct flight takes just short of 11 hours. There are also many other options out of San Francisco International that have just one stopover, which will most often be in Los Angeles, Seattle or Honolulu. Expect stops that are within the United States to add anywhere from two to six hours to your total travel time.

San Francisco International Airport Departure Information

You can use San Francisco's BART or CalTrain rail services to get to the airport from the city. Both have ample room for luggage and run until close to midnight every day. The BART connection deposits you directly at the AirTrain "people mover", which circulates around the different terminals. There's a "red line" and a "blue line", but they follow the same route for the most part. The terminals are arranged in a circle, and the two lines go in opposite directions around (and the blue line is the only one to stop at the rental car area), but either line will eventually get you to where you're going.

If you're flying to Tokyo, you'll be headed to SFO's dedicated international terminal. This terminal actually has two separate AirTrain stops at each end of it, one for the "G" gates at the north end and the other for the "A" gates at the south end. It doesn't matter which one you use, though it's a bit of a walk if you get off at the opposite end!

There are a good range of restaurant types in the international terminal - Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, pizza, burgers, an American diner and a bar and grill. Coffee is available from Starbucks and Il Fornaio. You'll also find the lounges for most of the international airlines here, including a United Club. There are also many different stores, and perhaps more importantly many different restrooms to handle the regular heavy traffic to this terminal.

Unlike many other airports, there isn't a big central terminal area that's open to the public and has lots of restaurants. Each terminal generally has a small area just before security that has a minimal amount of restaurant options, but the international terminal is a little different. It's physically separated from the rest of the airport, requiring you to use the AirTrain to get to it, and you'll have to pass through security again if you want to leave and return. It's best to have everything you need squared away before you enter.

Preparing to Arrive at Narita International Airport

When you arrive at Narita, you'll be able to enter without a visa since you're coming from the United States, but you'll have to go through immigration and customs. Flight attendants will hand out the forms you need prior to arriving.

Narita International is located just to the east of Narita (which itself is some distance east of Tokyo). Two rail lines originate from the airport. The Narita Line stops in Narita before branching off to Inzai in the north and Sakura to the south. The Kesei Narita "Sky Access" line is the quickest option for going directly east from the airport to downtown Tokyo, and usually makes the full trip in less than 40 minutes.