Are direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati always the best option?

Direct flights offer convenience and save time, but they are not always the most budget-friendly choice. Flights with layovers can sometimes be significantly cheaper, depending on the route and airline. Consider your priorities for cost versus travel time.

Can flexible travel dates help on San Francisco to Cincinnati flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flight prices. Mid-week travel or flying during off-peak seasons may offer better deals. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days can sometimes make a notable difference.

What extra costs should I check before booking San Francisco to Cincinnati flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes or making changes to your reservation. Understanding these fees helps in calculating the total travel expense.

Flights From San Francisco

To Cincinnati

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Browse current best options from San Francisco. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

San Francisco

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cincinnati

Prices updated 1 day ago

462 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 15, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Explore current cheapest deals departing from San Francisco to Cincinnati

2026-11-12 – 2026-11-17
SFO - Cincinnati
80% AI deal score
$320
$243
Round trip
2026-10-24 – 2026-10-31
SFO - Cincinnati
73% AI deal score
$300
$245
Round trip
2026-10-15 – 2026-10-19
SFO - Cincinnati
74% AI deal score
$318
$245
Round trip
2026-10-06 – 2026-10-07
SFO - Cincinnati
74% AI deal score
$320
$245
Round trip
2026-11-01 – 2026-11-08
SFO - Cincinnati
70% AI deal score
$227
$247
Round trip
2026-11-17 – 2026-12-10
SFO - Cincinnati
69% AI deal score
$211
$250
Round trip
2026-11-17 – 2026-12-15
SFO - Cincinnati
69% AI deal score
$210
$250
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-12-10
SFO - Cincinnati
69% AI deal score
$206
$250
Round trip
2026-11-17 – 2026-12-17
SFO - Cincinnati
69% AI deal score
$210
$250
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-12-03
SFO - Cincinnati
69% AI deal score
$207
$250
Round trip

San Francisco to Cincinnati: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Most itineraries for cheap flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati connect at least once, with only 0.7% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2. This indicates that travelers should expect to make at least one stop on this route.

Right now, fares from San Francisco to Cincinnati are near the typical level. Prices for this route typically range from $387–$584, with a median of $474. Only 4% of recent fares were classified as a good price, suggesting that finding significantly cheaper options can be challenging. New deals for this route are infrequent, so setting a price alert could be beneficial.

When considering the cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati, September stands out as the most affordable month, with a median fare of $278. Following September, August offers a median fare of $369, while July has a median fare of $457. These months present the best opportunities for travelers seeking lower prices.

A typical journey from San Francisco to Cincinnati takes approximately 22h 31m, including connections. This duration reflects the prevalence of connecting flights on this route, as most itineraries involve at least one stopover. The total distance covered on this route is 3271 km, classifying it as a medium-haul flight.

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Regular price: $230 - $451

Prices for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is $230 to $451. The current lowest deal is $229 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Nov 16-Dec 10.

now $229

Low $230

High $451

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

The cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati is September, with a median price of $278. The most expensive month is April, with a median price of $1060. Prices are generally lower from July to September.

September

Cheapest

Flights from $278

April

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,060

Apr

May

Jul

Aug

Sep

Direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Breeze Airways

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$587

$510

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$561

$483

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$561

$462

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$568

$488

One-way

Sun, Sep 20

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$501

$439

One-way

Wed, Sep 23

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$435

$337

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

2 nights

Dec 4 - Dec 6

$386 → $254

34%

8 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 10

$354 → $232

35%

1 night

Dec 3 - Dec 4

$385 → $286

26%

3 nights

Sep 18 - Sep 21

$561 → $462

18%

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

San Francisco - Cincinnati route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

Recent fares from SFO to CVG are near the typical level, with 4% considered good deals.

📅 Best time to fly

September is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, September has the lowest median price at $278, making it the cheapest month.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights typically take 22h 31m

The median flight duration from San Francisco to Cincinnati is 22 hours and 31 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant on this route

Connecting flights make up 70% of routes, with a median of 2 stopovers when connecting.

🏆 Airline highlight

Breeze Airways offers direct flights

Breeze Airways is one airline that offers direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

Deals for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati are historically rare, so book when you see a good price.

San Francisco main airports to depart from

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International is a convenient option for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$237

Cincinnati main airports to arrive at

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)

Cheapest

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International is a convenient arrival airport for reaching Cincinnati and the surrounding region.

📍 ~15 km from Cincinnati (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$237

Airports nearby Cincinnati used as alternative

Dayton International (DAY)

Dayton International is the closest alternative and often serves as a primary backup for CVG cancellations.

📍 ~100 km from Cincinnati (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$373

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Cincinnati

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati.

Elite

Best Elite deals to Cincinnati

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From SFO

Elite

Oct 28

Cincinnati, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,775

$1,463

Save $312

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Oct 21

Cincinnati, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,779

$1,478

Save $301

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 10

Cincinnati, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,862

$1,493

Save $369

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 31

Cincinnati, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,846

$1,533

Save $313

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Oct 27

Cincinnati, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,775

$1,538

Save $237

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 10

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,648

$1,463

Save $185

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 04

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,636

$1,463

Save $173

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 07

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,636

$1,463

Save $173

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 16

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,652

$1,493

Save $159

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 18

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,755

$1,581

Save $174

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 18

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,805

$1,598

Save $207

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 31

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,855

$1,641

Save $214

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Cincinnati

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking platforms can also help you discover better deals. Looking into flights with layovers may sometimes present lower-cost options.

Booking flights in advance often provides more competitive prices, though the ideal booking window can vary. Prices may fluctuate based on demand and seasonality. It can be beneficial to monitor fare trends before making your purchase.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes reveal alternative flight options or different pricing. While it may add to your ground travel time, it could potentially lead to savings on your airfare. Always consider the total cost and convenience.

Related routes

More routes from San Francisco

Flights from San Francisco to Dallas Flights from San Francisco to Denpasar Flights from San Francisco to Denver Flights from San Francisco to Dubai Flights from San Francisco to Dublin Flights from San Francisco to Edinburgh Flights from San Francisco to Florence Flights from San Francisco to Frankfurt Flights from San Francisco to Guayaquil Flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong Flights from San Francisco to Honolulu Flights from San Francisco to New Delhi

Flights to Cincinnati from other cities

Flights from Atlanta to Cincinnati Flights from Auckland to Cincinnati Flights from Bangkok to Cincinnati Flights from Boston to Cincinnati Flights from Chicago to Cincinnati Flights from Dallas to Cincinnati Flights from Denver to Cincinnati Flights from Dubai to Cincinnati Flights from Edmonton to Cincinnati Flights from Houston to Cincinnati Flights from Minneapolis to Cincinnati Flights from Mykonos to Cincinnati

San Francisco to Cincinnati: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Regular price: $230 - $451

Prices for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is $230 to $451. The current lowest deal is $229 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Nov 16-Dec 10.

now $229

Low $230

High $451

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

September

Cheapest

Flights from $278

April

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,060

Apr

May

Jul

Aug

Sep

Direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Breeze Airways

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$587

$510

One-way

Thu, Sep 17

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$561

$483

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$561

$462

One-way

Fri, Sep 18

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$568

$488

One-way

Sun, Sep 20

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$501

$439

One-way

Wed, Sep 23

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Cincinnati

San Francisco (SFO) - Cincinnati (CVG)

Frontier Airlines

$435

$337

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

2 nights

Dec 4 - Dec 6

$386 → $254

34%

8 nights

Dec 2 - Dec 10

$354 → $232

35%

1 night

Dec 3 - Dec 4

$385 → $286

26%

3 nights

Sep 18 - Sep 21

$561 → $462

18%

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

San Francisco - Cincinnati route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

Recent fares from SFO to CVG are near the typical level, with 4% considered good deals.

📅 Best time to fly

September is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, September has the lowest median price at $278, making it the cheapest month.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights typically take 22h 31m

The median flight duration from San Francisco to Cincinnati is 22 hours and 31 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant on this route

Connecting flights make up 70% of routes, with a median of 2 stopovers when connecting.

🏆 Airline highlight

Breeze Airways offers direct flights

Breeze Airways is one airline that offers direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

Deals for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati are historically rare, so book when you see a good price.

San Francisco main airports to depart from

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International is a convenient option for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$237

Cincinnati main airports to arrive at

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)

Cheapest

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International is a convenient arrival airport for reaching Cincinnati and the surrounding region.

📍 ~15 km from Cincinnati (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$237

Airports nearby Cincinnati used as alternative

Dayton International (DAY)

Dayton International is the closest alternative and often serves as a primary backup for CVG cancellations.

Cincinnati, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,855

$1,641

Save $214

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Cincinnati

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Today’s best flight deals from San Francisco to Cincinnati

San Francisco to Cincinnati: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Cincinnati

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

San Francisco - Cincinnati route insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

September is historically the cheapest month to fly

Flights typically take 22h 31m

Connecting flights are dominant on this route

Breeze Airways offers direct flights

Deals are rare for this route

San Francisco main airports to depart from

Cincinnati main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Cincinnati used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Cincinnati

Best Elite deals to Cincinnati

Oct 28

Oct 21

Dec 10

Dec 31

Oct 27

Nov 10

Nov 04

Nov 07

Nov 16

Nov 18

Nov 18

Dec 31

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Cincinnati

How can I find cheap flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?

When should I book flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?

Are direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati always the best option?

Can flexible travel dates help on San Francisco to Cincinnati flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking San Francisco to Cincinnati flights?

Related routes

More routes from San Francisco

Flights to Cincinnati from other cities

San Francisco to Cincinnati: Overview

Insights for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

How much is a round trip from San Francisco to Cincinnati

The cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Direct flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Last-minute flights going from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati

Popular Airports to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati

San Francisco - Cincinnati route insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

September is historically the cheapest month to fly

Flights typically take 22h 31m

Connecting flights are dominant on this route

Breeze Airways offers direct flights

Deals are rare for this route

San Francisco main airports to depart from

Cincinnati main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Cincinnati used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Cincinnati

Best Elite deals to Cincinnati

Oct 28

Oct 21

Dec 10

Dec 31

Oct 27

Nov 10

Nov 04

Nov 07

Nov 16

Nov 18

Nov 18

Dec 31

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Cincinnati

How can I find cheap flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?

When should I book flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from San Francisco to Cincinnati?