Flight Time
0 km
Distance
0 km
0 mi
Flight Time
11h 30m – 12h 57m
🇺🇸 San Francisco → 🇨🇳 Beijing
SFO to PEK — Complete travel planning guide
Time Difference
05:10
San Francisco
+15h
difference
20:10
Beijing
Jet Lag Severity
MildModerateSevere
severe
Severity
0h
Zones crossed
0d
To adjust
Adjustment Timeline
Day 1
07:00 – 20:00
Day 2
06:00 – 20:00
Day 3
05:00 – 20:00
Day 4
05:00 – 20:00
Day 5
05:00 – 20:00
Day 6
05:00 – 20:00
Day 7
05:00 – 20:00
Day 8
05:00 – 20:00
Day 9
05:00 – 20:00
Day 10
05:00 – 21:00
Day 11
05:00 – 22:00
Day 12
05:00 – 23:00
Flying the other way?Beijing → San Francisco
Flying from San Francisco to Beijing
The flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (PEK) covers approximately 9,493 kilometers (5,898 miles) based on the great-circle distance between both airports. This is the shortest theoretical path over Earth's surface, though actual flight paths may be slightly longer due to air traffic routing, weather avoidance, and airspace restrictions.
The estimated non-stop flight time is 11h 30m to 12h 57m, assuming a modern jet cruising at approximately 850 km/h. This gate-to-gate estimate includes time for taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing. Actual duration varies based on wind conditions — particularly the jet stream — aircraft type, and airport congestion at both ends.
Beijing is 15 hour(s) ahead of San Francisco. Travelers crossing 15 time zone(s) eastward can expect severe jet lag, with full circadian adjustment typically taking about 12 day(s).
Since you're traveling eastward, your body clock needs to advance — meaning you'll need to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than feels natural. Strategic morning light exposure at your destination is the most effective way to accelerate this adjustment.