San Francisco from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in San Francisco, when to go, the visa for British travellers and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 26 Oct 2026.
Plan my San Francisco tripDay to day in San Francisco, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | £34 | £42 |
| A balanced mix | £76 | £84 |
| Mostly restaurants | £111 | £119 |
- Local transport: about £8 a day. Taxi: £3 to start, then £1.52 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £20 a day for food.
- Tipping: about 20% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: numbeo.com, sfmta.com, sftreasurer.org; in GBP at today's rate.
When to go
13°F
14°M
15°A
17°M
19°J
21°J
22°A
23°S
23°O
21°N
17°D
13°
The most pleasant months are March to November. July is the driest month (1 mm of rain) and December the wettest (138 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit United States, place by placeCompare: United States or Canada · Mexico or United States · Japan or United States · Australia or United States
Visa for British travellers
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa
Fee: $40 a person.
Allow at least 7 days before you fly.
Official source: gov.uk, checked 2026-10-26. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in San Francisco
Domaine Chandon, Yountvillewinery · a couple of hours
Buena Vista Winerywinery · a couple of hours
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyardswinery · a couple of hours
Gundlach Bundschu Winerywinery · a couple of hours- Benziger Family Winery tram tourwinery · a couple of hours
Golden Gate Bridgebridge · a couple of hoursWalk or cycle the east sidewalk; fog is common in summer mornings
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 sea lionsharbour · a couple of hours
Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl; the sea lions haul out on K-Dock
- Chinatownneighbourhood · a couple of hours
Enter by the Dragon Gate at Bush and Grant; dim sum and the fortune cookie factory on Ross Alley
Lombard Street crooked blockstreet · a couple of hoursWalk down the steps beside the hairpins from Hyde Street at the top
Painted Ladies at Alamo Squareviewpoint · a couple of hours
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in San Francisco cost?
Food and getting around come to about £42 a person a day eating street food, £84 with a balanced mix and £119 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
The most pleasant months are March to November. July is the driest month (1 mm of rain) and December the wettest (138 mm); daytime highs run from 13 to 23 °C over the year.
Do British travellers need a visa for United States?
Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa, $40. Checked on gov.uk on 2026-10-26; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in San Francisco?
Domaine Chandon, Yountville, Buena Vista Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Benziger Family Winery tram tour.
Your whole San Francisco trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my San Francisco trip