Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
The timezone in Kuala Lumpur is UTC+8. The city is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located.
Leave plenty of time to get on your SFO to Kuala Lumpur flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
We make it simple to book plane tickets from SFO to Kuala Lumpur with a stopover. To see all the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Traveling from central San Francisco to SFO takes around 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near SFO:
Of the flights that depart from San Francisco International Airport, 78% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kuala Lumpur
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur flight is AED 1,630. The cheapest price for a return flight is AED 3,391. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap flight from SFO to Kuala Lumpur. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Scoring cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur is more likely if you're flexible with your dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to get the lowest fares across every month and snap up a sweet deal.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an even better deal on cheap flights from SFO to Kuala Lumpur.
Save money on your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to the center of Kuala Lumpur takes around 55 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 56 kilometers away.
If you're traveling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 40 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to KUL if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Secure the lowest price by reserving your ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from SFO to Kuala Lumpur.
Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Central Kuala Lumpur is about 19 kilometers from Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 30 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 45 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SZB. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your SFO to Kuala Lumpur flight:
Avoid last-minute price surges. Securing your ride one week ahead of your arrival at SZB can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
August is the most popular month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur. To escape the crowds, head to Kuala Lumpur in December.
Before locking in your San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Kuala Lumpur, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Kuala Lumpur around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Kuala Lumpur
Start your Kuala Lumpur trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Sky Terrace KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Kuala Lumpur must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Warisan Merdeka Tower.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Bharu is just one of the many cities in Malaysia waiting to be explored after you've experienced Kuala Lumpur. Around 338 kilometers away to the north, well-known attractions include Istana Negeri Kelantan, Museum Of Islamic Culture and Siti Khadijah Market.
If you want to check out another corner of Malaysia, head for Johor Bahru, roughly 290 kilometers southeast of Kuala Lumpur. Raja Maha Mariamman Temple, Grand Palace Park (Istana Besar) and Zaharah Botanic Gardens are the start of reasons to visit.
