$23 Cheap Flights to San Diego, CA

Popular airlines to San Diego

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How much is the cheapest flight to San Diego?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $23 for one-way flights and $46 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Bargain Flight
United
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines

Alternative airports near San Diego

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Columbus (CMH) to San Diego (SAN)

January is typically the cheapest month to fly

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San Diego Flights

San Diego Airports

If the pristine beaches and laidback California lifestyle are attracting you to America’s Finest City, book your flights to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). Located smack dab in the middle of the excitement, this airport is located just 3 miles northwest of downtown and roughly 5 miles southeast of several beach towns.

While McClellan-Palomar Airport also serves San Diego, SAN sees the majority of traffic to this city. The SD airport features a number of amenities, such as shops and restaurants. You’ll find clothing boutiques, souvenir stores, electronic stands, and gift shops to cover all your last-minute purchases. As for dining, the terminals provide bars, restaurants, and on-the-go options, including fast food and café treats. To top it all off, when you book flights to San Diego, you can take advantage of the on-site lounges and spas.

Airport Transportation

Once you’ve reserved plane tickets to San Diego, you may want to book a set of wheels so you can travel around the coast on your own watch. You can request San Diego car rentals right here, which let you hop in the driver’s seat almost as soon as your flight touches ground. Alternatively, the airport provides ground transportation such as taxi, shuttle, and limousine services. If you’d prefer public transportation, catch a ride on the Metropolitan Transit System bus, which connects to the trolley, COASTER, and Amtrak station.

San Diego Activities

With scenic beach towns and year-round sunny weather, it’s no wonder tourists flock to this coastal hot spot. Going to the beach is certainly one of the top things to do in San Diego, whether you’re looking to surf at Pacific Beach or marvel at the sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Other popular attractions include the museums in Balboa Park, the historical Hotel del Coronado, and the night clubs in the Gaslamp Quarter. After exploring the Southern California city from top to bottom, rest up at one of the best hotels in San Diego.

Planning Your Trip

The beauty of booking San Diego flights is that it’s always a good time to visit. Temperatures are comfortable year round, usually between the low 60s and the high 70s F. The summer months are a prime time to visit, but you will face swarms of tourists. Spring and fall are pleasant, while winter tends to be slightly cooler and rainier than the rest of the year.

Once you’ve decided when you want to visit, allow us here at Expedia.com to connect you with cheap tickets to San Diego. We know that you want to focus more on surf lessons and less on the price of your airfare, so we provide travel arrangements that fall within your budget. You can even use our mobile booking app to browse our cheap flights to San Diego and score exclusive deals. Don’t wait a second longer—book your airfare today and bask at the seaside tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

What month is the cheapest to fly to San Diego?
September is the cheapest month to fly to San Diego, with average fares around $402. This month often sees less travel activity, leading to lower prices. Other budget-friendly months include January, February, and April.*Prices based on flights available on Expedia in the last year.
Which US cities have the cheapest flights to San Diego?
You can find some of the cheapest flights to San Diego from these US cities:

  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Everett (PAE)
  • Provo (PVU)
  • Santa Rosa (STS)

with fares typically starting around $71.
Which US cities fly direct to San Diego?
You can reach San Diego via direct flights from many US cities. Here are the options by airport:To SAN
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Chicago (MDW, ORD)
  • New York (JFK)
  • Dallas (DAL, DFW)

To John Wayne (SNA)
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Dallas (DAL, DFW)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • Denver (DEN)

To ONT
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Dallas (DAL, DFW)
  • Denver (DEN)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • Sacramento (SMF)

How to find a cheap flight to San Diego?
To find a cheap flight to San Diego, be flexible with your dates. Traveling in the off-season or shoulder season can help you save. Mid-week flights are usually less expensive, too. Use flight search engines, like Expedia, to compare airlines, flight times and routes all in one place to find affordable rates. You may find that flights with layovers are cheaper than direct flights. You can also set up Price Tracking and receive alerts when fares go up or down.
Which airlines fly to San Diego?
You can fly to San Diego with several airlines:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta
  • Frontier Airlines
  • United
  • United Airlines
  • Viva Aerobus
  • Volaris

Where do you fly into San Diego?
If you're heading to San Diego, you have several airport options:

  • The closest major airport is San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), about 3 miles from the city center, which is a hub for United, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, with other airlines like Delta, WN also operating here.
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne) is another option, about 82 miles away, serving as a hub for United, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, with WN, Delta also operating here.
  • Ontario, CA (ONT-Los Angeles - Ontario Intl.), about 98 miles away, serving as a hub for WN, United, and American Airlines, with Alaska Airlines, Delta also operating here.
  • Tijuana, Baja California Norte (TIJ-General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Intl.), about 17 miles away, serving as a hub for Viva Aerobus, Aeromexico, and Volaris, with XN, Hainan Airlines also operating here.
  • Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.), about 89 miles away, serving as a hub for United, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, with WN, Delta also operating here.

What is the cheapest airport to fly to in San Diego?
The most affordable airport to fly into in San Diego is typically San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), which is just about 3 miles from the city center. This proximity makes it easy for you to reach your destination quickly.*Prices based on flights available on Expedia in the last year.
Which budget airlines fly to San Diego?
For budget travel to San Diego, there are 12 low-cost airlines to choose from, including:

  • Southwest Airlines: serves San Diego (SAN), Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), Ontario (ONT)
  • Frontier Airlines: serves San Diego (SAN), Tijuana (TIJ), Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), Ontario (ONT)
  • Volaris: serves Tijuana (TIJ), Ontario (ONT)
  • Viva Aerobus: flies to Tijuana (TIJ)
  • Spirit Airlines: serves San Diego (SAN), Orange County (SNA)
  • WestJet: serves San Diego (SAN), Tijuana (TIJ), Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), Ontario (ONT)
  • JetBlue Airways: serves San Diego (SAN), Ontario (ONT)
  • Sun Country Airlines: serves San Diego (SAN), Palm Springs (PSP)
  • Breeze: serves San Diego (SAN), Orange County (SNA)
  • Mexicana: flies to Tijuana (TIJ)

What is the best month to visit San Diego?
The best month to visit San Diego depends on your priorities, whether you want ideal weather, fewer crowds, or the lowest prices. If affordability matters most, look for cheap April flights outside of peak season.
How far in advance should I book a flight to San Diego?
For domestic travel to San Diego, booking around 1 month in advance usually gets you the best deals. For international flights to San Diego, aim to book around 1 month ahead to snag the best fares. For added peace of mind, use Expedia's Price Drop Protection™ when you make your booking. It's free to use for Gold and Platinum members on the Expedia app. Once a qualifying flight is purchased, we'll automatically check your flight on Expedia until the day of your departure and notify you if there are price changes. If your flight price drops after you book, we'll automatically award the price difference in OneKeyCash™* into your One Key account after your trip ends.*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.
What day of the week is cheapest day to buy a plane ticket to San Diego?
Friday is typically the cheapest day to buy a plane ticket to San Diego. This is often because many travelers prefer to fly on weekends, leaving Fridays with lower demand. If Friday isn't an option, look into flying on Thursday. Use Expedia's Price Tracking tool to monitor prices for your trip and receive alerts when fares go up or down.*Cheapest day to book based on flights available on Expedia in the last year.
What is the most expensive month to fly to San Diego?
December is the most expensive month to fly to San Diego, with average return ticket prices around $490. This is about 12% higher than the average throughout the year, as holiday travel increases demand. To find lower fares, consider traveling in September or October when prices are generally more favorable.*Prices based on flights available on Expedia in the last year.
How far is the airport from central San Diego?
You'll find 3 airports near San Diego:

  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.): 3 miles northwest
  • Tijuana, Baja California Norte (TIJ-General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Intl.): 17 miles southeast
  • Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar): 29 miles north

These options give you flexibility when planning your trip.
How can I track flight prices to San Diego?
Our Price Tracking tool allows you to monitor fares to San Diego. You can view flight price history and see predictions of future prices as available. When you're signed into your Expedia account, you can set up flight price alerts too. This way, you'll receive notifications when prices go up or down, so you know when it's the right time to book.
How to get a cheap last-minute flight to San Diego?
It is possible to find cheap, last-minute flights to San Diego, especially if you can be flexible with your dates, times and route. Whether you're planning a spontaneous getaway or need to travel for business, there are plenty of last-minute flight deals on Expedia. You can also bundle your flight and hotel for even more savings with a package deal.
Can I earn miles booking a flight to San Diego with Expedia?
You can earn miles when booking a flight to San Diego on Expedia. Before confirming your booking, just select the frequent flyer program name and enter your program number. For even more rewards, join One Key™—our free travel rewards program. One Key members earn OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings for every dollar spent.*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.
Can I save money by booking a San Diego trip package?
Book a San Diego flight and hotel package deal on Expedia, and you can make significant savings. It's simple to bundle your accommodations and flights, and you can also add car rentals and activities to create your own customized San Diego trip. Plus, nothing beats the convenience of booking everything in the same place.
Can I change or cancel my flight to San Diego?
It's often possible to cancel or change your flight to San Diego using Expedia. Many airlines let you cancel your flights for free within 24 hours of booking. However, some flights are non-refundable, and airlines may offer to reschedule your flight rather than provide a direct refund. To find affordable flights to San Diego with flexible change policies, select "No cancel fee" or "Changes included" when you search. Need more information? Visit our Customer Service Portal.

*Flight schedules are subject to change.

Flights to San Diego information
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport IATA code
SAN
Destination city name
San Diego
Roundtrip price
$66

Trending flights to San Diego

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $23 for one-way flights and $46 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

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