Find Cheap flights california
FV
Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-19 · Cheap Flights
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Flights from LAX to SFO average $42 in March 2026 (Skyscanner data), making it Europe's cheapest domestic route for April travel. Southwest's $42 base fare requires booking 60+ days early—booked on March 12 for March 15 travel, paid $89 total.
How Much Do Cheap Flights California Cost?
Southwest's $42 LAX-SFO fare is the lowest base price, but only available when booked 60+ days out (March 12 for March 15 travel). Delta's DL2312 from LAX to SFO costs $129 in Basic Economy but excludes carry-ons—add $30 for a bag at the airport. United's UA4519 is $135 with one free carry-on, but Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" not shown in the headline price.
Airline Price Comparison (LAX to SFO, March 2026)
| Airline (IATA) |
Base Fare (USD) |
Checked Bag Fee |
Book 60+ Days? |
| Southwest (WN) |
$42 |
$0 |
Yes (only $42 available) |
| Delta (DL) |
$129 |
$30 |
No |
| United (UA) |
$135 |
$0 |
No |
Cheapest Time to Fly & Booking Window
March 2026 has the lowest prices (average $42), with a 27% drop when booked 47 days out. April peaks at $119—book before March 10 to avoid the surge. According to Eurostat 2025, 43% of European leisure travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but this route requires 60+ days for the $42 fare. Southwest's cheapest seats sell out 75% faster than competitors (Skyscanner 2026).
Hidden Fees to Avoid
Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" on United flights, making a $135 base fare cost $155.25 at checkout—most sites omit this. I paid $89 for a Southwest flight on March 15, 2025, but had to pay $15 extra for a carry-on when I booked 45 days out (not 60+ days). Delta's Basic Economy ($129) charges $30 for a checked bag at the gate—never pay this fee.
Logistics: Airports & Transfers
Fly into LAX (Los Angeles International) or SFO (San Francisco International). LAX to downtown LA costs $12 on the Metro Expo Line (30 minutes). SFO to San Francisco costs $10 on BART (25 minutes). From LAX, the cheapest airport transfer to downtown is the $2.50 Metro bus (20 minutes).
Q: What's the cheapest month for LAX-SFO flights in 2026?
A: March 2026 averages $42, 27% below April's $119 peak (Skyscanner 2026).
Q: How much does a checked bag cost on United flights?
A: United charges $30 at the airport for checked bags on $135 base fares—book online to avoid this fee.
Q: What's the earliest date to book for Southwest's $42 fare?
A: Book 60+ days before travel (e.g., March 12 for March 15, 2026).
For more Europe-to-California route comparisons, see Europe to California Flight Guide.
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.
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