# Distance from San Jose (SJO) to Nuku'alofa (TBU)

> 10,504 km · estimated flight time 13h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 10,504 km / 6,527 mi / 5,672 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 13h
- **Heading**: 249° (west southwest)
- **Return heading**: 81° (east)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Costa Rica) → Tonga
- **Intercontinental**: North America → Oceania
- **Time difference**: +19h (When it's 20:09 in San Jose, it's 15:09 in Nuku'alofa)
- **Elevation difference**: 2,895 ft (TBU is lower than SJO)

## Airports

### [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)

- City: San Jose, Costa Rica
- ICAO: MROC
- Timezone: America/Costa_Rica
- Coordinates: 9.990000, -84.210000
- Elevation: 3,021 ft

### [Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/tbu-nukualofa-fuaamotu-international-airport/1ef266df-705a-6d44-bad4-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Nuku'alofa, Tonga
- ICAO: NFTF
- Timezone: Pacific/Tongatapu
- Coordinates: -21.240000, -175.150000
- Elevation: 126 ft

## Route notes

This is an ultra-long-haul route, one of the longest in aviation. It requires wide-body aircraft with extended range capability such as the Airbus A350-900ULR or Boeing 777-200LR. Passengers should prepare for an extended flight with multiple meal services.

Time-zone information: When it's 20:09 in San Jose, it's 15:09 in Nuku'alofa.
With a 19-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)
- [Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/tbu-nukualofa-fuaamotu-international-airport/1ef266df-705a-6d44-bad4-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)