SFO LIS
Flights from San Francisco to Lisbon
Everything worth knowing before you book this route — how far it is, how long you will be in the air, whether a nonstop exists, and what the fare is doing right now.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Lisbon?
The great-circle distance from San Francisco International (SFO) to Lisbon is 5,670 miles. Flown nonstop, that works out at roughly 10h 40m in the air, including taxi time at both ends.
Expect the return leg to differ. Flying eastbound on the way out, you are pushed along by the jet stream, so the outbound and inbound block times on this route typically differ by around 45 minutes. Airlines schedule for this — it is not a delay.
Can you fly San Francisco to Lisbon nonstop?
Nonstop exists, but not from everywhere
At this range nonstop service is flown only on flagship routes out of the largest hubs. From most US cities you will connect once, typically through a European or Gulf hub, and the connecting fare is frequently several hundred dollars below the nonstop.
When to book
April, May, September, and October are the sweet spot. Warm days (70–78°F), few rainy days, prices not yet in peak-season territory, and the city isn't heaving with cruise-ship crowds. These are also the months our AI sees the best flight deals from the USA, because demand dips between Easter and mid-June, and again between early September and late October.
Summer (June–August) is hot (mid-80s, occasionally 95°F+) and the city empties of locals while filling with tourists. Hotels cost 40–60% more than shoulder season. Winter (December–February) is mild and rainy, 50–55°F, and surprisingly quiet — a great choice if you want museums and fado without the crowds, and hotels in Chiado for under $100/night.
Our models have tracked LIS fares from major US hubs for 24 months. The cheapest window is consistently mid-January through mid-March for travel within the next 90 days. Book by Tuesday 11am EST for an additional ~8% saving on average.
Landing in Lisbon
You lose 7 hours flying out. Eastbound is the harder direction to adjust to, because you are asking your body to fall asleep earlier than it wants to. Book an arrival that lets you stay up until local evening rather than napping.
| Airport | LIS — Humberto Delgado Airport, 4.3 mi from city center |
|---|---|
| Visa | No visa needed for US passport holders (90 days in Schengen area) |
| Currency | Euro (€). $1 ≈ €0.93 in April 2026. Cards widely accepted; tip small cash where possible. |
| Language | Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by anyone under 40. |
Lisbon from other US cities
Other destinations from San Francisco
Ready to price it? The fare moves daily.
Open the Lisbon guide for today's confirmed fare, or search the route directly with your own dates.
See today's Lisbon fare