Comparison · San Francisco vs Seattle · United States
San Francisco vs Seattle
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose San Francisco for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and a milder winter; choose Seattle for Pike Place Market and Space Needle. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,093 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,093 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for San Francisco
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Seattle
- June–September
Side by side
| San Francisco | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Cable cars | Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Coffee culture |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $270–$450 | $250–$420 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | September, 23°C (73°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 14°C (57°F) | January, 8°C (46°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 13 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | Baker Beach | Alki Beach |
| Airports | SFO, OAK, SJC | SEA, PAE |
Which one is right for you?
Choose San Francisco for…
Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and a milder winter. San Francisco packs steep hills, Victorian houses and bay views onto a peninsula roughly 11 km across. Most sights are reachable by cable car, Muni streetcar or on foot: the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio in the north-west, Fisherman's Wharf and the…
Choose Seattle for…
Pike Place Market and Space Needle. Seattle stretches along hills between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier visible to the southeast on clear days. Most first-time visitors stay downtown and walk to Pike Place Market, the rebuilt waterfront and Pioneer Square, then take the…
Top sights compared
| # | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Gate Bridge | Pike Place Market |
| 2 | Alcatraz Island | Space Needle |
| 3 | Golden Gate Park | Chihuly Garden and Glass |
| 4 | California Academy of Sciences | Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) |
| 5 | de Young Museum | Waterfront and Pier 62 |
Food compared
| San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|
| Mission burrito | Wild Pacific salmon |
| Sourdough bread | Dungeness crab |
| Clam chowder in a bread bowl | Pacific Northwest oysters |
| Dungeness crab | Seattle-style hot dog |
Which is cheaper?
San Francisco and Seattle cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $270–$450 in San Francisco and $250–$420 in Seattle (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Seattle on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,093 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is San Francisco or Seattle cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $270–$450 in San Francisco and $250–$420 in Seattle (estimates).
+Is San Francisco or Seattle better for a first trip?
Pick San Francisco for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and a milder winter, or Seattle for Pike Place Market and Space Needle.
+How far is San Francisco from Seattle?
About 1,093 km in a straight line.