Flight Deals from San Francisco to Xi'An from $510

The route from San Francisco to Xi'an is about 6,475 miles, and there is no scheduled nonstop service, so the trip requires a connection.

Methodology

Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.

There are no nonstop flights from San Francisco to Xi'an. The shortest connecting routing is United Airlines via Hong Kong, a total of 19 hours 15 minutes with a 14-hour-30-minute first leg, a 3-hour-15-minute second leg on Cathay Pacific, and a 1-hour-30-minute layover. Cathay Pacific offers the same Hong Kong connection at 19 hours 40 minutes with a 14-hour-55-minute first leg.

Methodology

Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport connects to the city center primarily by taxi and ride-hailing services, which offer direct door-to-door transport in about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. The Airport Shuttle bus network provides a reliable and economical option with multiple lines serving major hotels, the railway station, and the Bell Tower area. A metro line linking the airport to the urban rail network is under construction and not yet in operation. Taxis and ride-hailing are the most used for convenience, while the shuttle bus is the fastest budget choice outside of peak congestion. Car rentals are available but less common for visitors navigating central Xi'an.

There are no nonstop red-eye flights from San Francisco to Xi'an, but a connecting overnight itinerary does operate: Cathay Pacific departs San Francisco at 00:20 and arrives in Hong Kong at 06:15, landing in the early morning, before connecting onward to Xi'an after a 4h55m layover.

Methodology

Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times and block times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes. A flight counts as a red-eye when it departs in the afternoon or evening (3 p.m. or later local time) or in the early hours before 4 a.m., and is in the air at some point between midnight and 4 a.m. local time at both its departure airport and its arrival airport. An evening flight that lands before midnight at its destination is never counted, nor is a morning departure or a daytime long-haul that reaches the next calendar date only because of time zones. Each red-eye is labelled with its timing (for example, overnight and landing the next morning, or late-night and landing after midnight). For connecting itineraries the same rule is applied to the longer leg, from one representative day's flight search.

There are no nonstop flights from San Francisco to Xi'an. United Airlines connects via Hong Kong or Beijing, with Air China on the Beijing leg. Cathay Pacific also connects through Hong Kong, and China Eastern Airlines connects via Shanghai Pudong with Juneyao Air or Shanghai Airlines on the final leg. United and Air China are Star Alliance members, Cathay Pacific is oneworld, and China Eastern is SkyTeam.

Methodology

Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

Xi'an has one main commercial airport, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, about 40 km northwest of downtown. It serves all major airlines and is the only practical choice for flights to the city.

BART rapid rail is the fastest and most popular way to reach San Francisco International Airport from downtown, with direct trains from the city center to the SFO station in about 30 minutes. Shared and private shuttle buses provide door-to-door service, while ride-share services like Uber and Lyft and taxis offer convenient but pricier alternatives. Driving yourself is possible with on-airport parking, though traffic and parking costs make it the least economical choice.

References

• SFO Airport to Downtown San Francisco: Complete Guide 2025radicalstorage.com · Published Mar 19, 2025
• Ground Transportation | San Francisco International Airportflysfo.com
• Public Transit | San Francisco International Airportflysfo.com
• AirTrain (San Francisco International Airport)en.wikipedia.org · Published May 12, 2026
• Transportation Basics: How to Get Around San Francisco | San Francisco Travelsftravel.com · Published Aug 24, 2022
• A Guide to San Francisco Airport (SFO) | Chasechase.com
• How to get from San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco, CA | Uberuber.com · Published Sep 8, 2026
• SFO Airport Shuttle & Car Service | GO Airport Shuttlegowithus.com · Published Jun 29, 2026

San Francisco International Airport offers wheelchair and guided assistance through your airline, with dedicated TSA lanes for travelers with disabilities, a Quiet Airport program, a sensory room, and a free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard available at information desks. Service animals are permitted throughout SFO, and dedicated relief areas operate 24 hours. For Xi'an, no airport accessibility data is on file. Travelers should arrange mobility assistance through their airline before the flight.

References

• Accessibility | San Francisco International Airportflysfo.com
• sfo - Disabled access at San Francisco international airport? - Travel Stack Exchangetravel.stackexchange.com · Published Dec 16, 2014
• COVID-19 HEALTH ORDER UPDATEmedia.api.sf.gov · Published Mar 18, 2026

There is no nonstop service from San Francisco to Xi'an, so travelers connect through Chinese or Hong Kong hubs. China Eastern operates the most flights, using Boeing 777-300ERs on the transpacific leg via Shanghai, with onward Xi'an segments on Airbus A320s, A320neos, Boeing 787-9s, A330-200s, COMAC-family jets, or A320-family aircraft. United and Cathay Pacific fly Boeing 777-300ERs via Hong Kong, while United also connects through Beijing on Boeing 777-family jets with Boeing 737-800s or Airbus A321s for the final leg.

Methodology

Aircraft types come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). For U.S. routes the type is grounded in the tail number that actually operated the flight; elsewhere it comes from the airline's filed equipment code. Where the source does not commit to a specific variant we name the aircraft family (for example Airbus A320 family) rather than guess, and where no reliable type is on file the aircraft is omitted rather than estimated. Types describe typical scheduled equipment and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute swaps.

There is no nonstop service from San Francisco to Xi'an, so flights connect through hubs like Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Beijing. The alliances serving this route are Star Alliance (United Airlines and Air China), oneworld (Cathay Pacific), and SkyTeam (China Eastern Airlines), with Juneyao Air and Shanghai Airlines operating legs without alliance membership. Other alliances may reach Xi'an via connections, but these are the carriers currently scheduled on the route.

Methodology

Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.

San Francisco International Airport offers a wide range of lounge options across its terminals. In Terminal 1, the Alaska Lounge near Gate B6, the American Airlines Admirals Club near Gate B13, and The Club SFO near Gate B4 all allow pay-at-the-door entry, with the Admirals Club offering showers and The Club SFO offering showers for a $25 fee. Terminal 2 has the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge near Gate D50 and the Delta Sky Club near Gate C3, while Terminal 3 features two United Clubs near Gates E4 and F11, The Centurion Lounge near Gate F2, and The Centurion Studio. The International Terminal A houses the Air France-KLM Lounge, Golden Gate Lounge, British Airways Lounge, Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge, China Airlines Lounge, and Emirates Lounge, while International Terminal G has the United Polaris Lounge with shower suites and a dedicated rest zone. Access policies vary widely — many lounges are available through airline membership programs, premium class tickets, or alliance status, with pay-at-the-door rates ranging from $45 to $79 where offered.

References

• San Francisco Airport Guide (SFO) - Sleeping in Airportssleepinginairports.net · Published Oct 1, 2018
• The Club SFO Review: Priority Pass Lounge in SFO Terminal 1 - Roameroame.travel · Published Oct 27, 2024
• The Club SFO SFO AIRPORT Terminal 1 San Francisco CA Intl | Priority Passmy.prioritypass.com
• Priority Pass SFO: What You Need to Know - NerdWalletnerdwallet.com · Published Jan 12, 2021
• San Francisco Amex Centurion Lounge [SFO] – Location, Hoursupgradedpoints.com · Published Jul 28, 2026
• The Club SFO | San Francisco Airport Lounge | The Clubtheclubairportlounges.com
• San Francisco International Airport SFO Lounges - SFO Airport Guide and lounges. | Priority Passmy.prioritypass.com

Same‑day changes and standby depend on the operating carrier and fare class; flexible tickets and premium cabins generally allow them, while Basic Economy and most discounted fares do not.