Flights from Manila to San Francisco — Schedule, Carriers, Best Time

Manila (MNL) to San Francisco (SFO) is one of the top three balikbayan corridors, flown nonstop by Philippine Airlines and United with around 12 weekly departures and a 12.5-hour block. Off-peak roundtrip economy fares sit between PHP 58,000-88,000, surging during Pasko reunion season. The Bay Area’s Fil-Am community — Daly City, San Bruno, Vallejo — keeps demand laging busy.

Route at a glance

• Distance & duration: ~12.5 hours nonstop, MNL to SFO.
• Carriers nonstop: Philippine Airlines (PR), United (UA).
• Frequency: ~12 weekly departures (PAL ~5x, UA daily).
• Travel profile: Balikbayan-dominant, Bay Area family visits.

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Best time to book

Cheapest pockets are mid-January through March at September through early November, when fares dip to PHP 55,000-72,000 roundtrip. Avoid the Dec 1-Jan 8 Pasko balikbayan rush at the June-August summer family-visit window, kasi the entire Bay Area Fil-Am community books home flights then. Chinese New Year (late Jan/early Feb) is also tight on connecting tags via TPE or HKG. For tipid pricing, book 4-6 months ahead po. Tuesday and Wednesday departures shave PHP 3,500-6,500 off Saturday banks. UA’s NRT-tag option opens up cheaper inventory mid-week.

Carriers compared

Fare bracket (peso-first)

• Low (Feb-Mar, Sep-early Nov): PHP 55,000-72,000 (USD 980-1,285).
• Mid (May, late Nov): PHP 75,000-100,000 (USD 1,340-1,785).
• Peak (Dec 1-Jan 8, Jun-Aug summer): PHP 115,000-155,000 (USD 2,055-2,770).

Balikbayan-specific notes

Kabayan, Bay Area family reunions cluster around Pasko at June graduations — pre-book by August or April. PAL’s 2x23 kg economy allowance fits one balikbayan box plus a maleta; Premium Economy bumps to 2x32 kg, perfect kapag may bagong appliance from Tatay. SFO has BART direct sa downtown (~PHP 525 / USD 9.40, 30 min) — mas tipid kaysa Uber, especially during weekday traffic. Pasalubong tip: dried mangoes, polvoron, at chocolate are usually fine through US customs; iwasan ang fresh fruit, ube halaya, at meat. Many Fil-Am families also use Daly City’s Filipino markets for sentimentals — no need to overload your luggage.

FAQ

Magkano ang ticket Manila to SFO? Roughly PHP 58,000-88,000 (USD 1,035-1,570) roundtrip economy off-peak; Pasko peak hits PHP 115,000-155,000.

Sino ang fly nonstop sa SFO? PAL (5x weekly) at United (daily). PAL is the Fil-Am workhorse para sa Bay Area.

Bay Area ba may direct ride sa airport? Yes — BART trains connect SFO sa downtown SF in 30 minutes (~PHP 525 / USD 9.40).

Kailan pinaka-mura? February-March at September-October. Iwasan ang Pasko (Dec-Jan) at summer (Jun-Aug).

Related guides on this site

• Balikbayan flights from the Philippines →
• Flights to United States →
• Philippine Airlines carrier guide →
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) →

Updated 9 May 2026. FlyPilipinas is a 14-person Filipino editorial team; content is researched and edited by Filipino travel and OFW specialists. About the author →.