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$86 Cheap Flights to San Jose

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Popular airlines to San Jose

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How much is the cheapest flight to San Jose?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $86 for one-way flights and $209 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Volaris Costa Rica
American Airlines
Delta
Frontier Airlines
Arajet

Alternative airports near San Jose

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 José (SJO)

From $303 - $585 per traveler.

What you need to know for your flight to San Jose

Flights to San Jose at a glance

Traveling to San Jose is a breeze—simply select from a variety of full-service or budget airlines, compare travel times, and choose the option that best fits your financial plan and itinerary for exploring the city's renowned attractions and neighborhoods.

  • Major airport near San Jose: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
  • Flights per week: 2,050+ flights arriving at San Jose airport
  • Number of airlines that fly to San Jose: around 25+ carriers

Popular airport near San Jose

San Jose is a vibrant city ideal for those seeking outdoor adventures and scenic getaways. Travelers are drawn to its beautiful beaches and family-friendly activities. A major airport serves the city, making it an accessible destination for vacationers.

  • Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO): Situated in Cantón Alajuela, Alajuela Province, approximately 7 miles from San Jose, this airport facilitates both domestic and international flights, linking travelers to around 8 domestic cities and over 230 international destinations. Passengers have the option to upgrade their travel experience with business class, premium economy class, or first class seating based on the airline and route. Major airlines operating here include United, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways.

Top routes to San Jose

  • Los Angeles (LAX) to San Jose (SJO), with one-way fares starting at around $150
  • Newark (EWR) to San Jose (SJO), with one-way flights starting at around $120
  • New York (JFK/LGA) to San Jose (SJO), with one-way flight options from around $110
  • Miami (MIA) to San Jose (SJO), with one-way flight options from around $95
  • Orlando (MCO) to San Jose (SJO), with one-way flight options from around $55

Cheapest routes to San Jose

  • Orlando (MCO) to San Jose (SJO), with cheap one-way fares from around $55
  • San Juan (SJU) to San Jose (SJO), with budget one-way fares from around $90
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to San Jose (SJO), with low-cost one-way tickets from around $90
  • San Salvador (SAL) to San Jose (SJO), with affordable one-way prices from around $90
  • Guatemala City (GUA) to San Jose (SJO), with low one-way fares from around $95

*Flight times and fares vary by season and availability and are based on one-way routes

Top airlines with flights to San Jose

  • American Airlines: Services Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and represents approximately 26% of the arrivals to San Jose. The typical one-way fare hovers around $320. Depending on the route, the premium cabin options may include business class.
  • United: Operates flights to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and is responsible for roughly 20% of the arrivals in San Jose. Average one-way fares are around $330. Premium cabin options may feature business class based on the specific route.
  • Avianca: Flies into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), accounting for about 11% of arrivals to San Jose. Travelers can expect an average one-way fare of around $330. Depending on the route, premium cabin choices may encompass business class.
  • Copa: Serves Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and represents about 11% of the arrivals to San Jose. The average fare for a one-way ticket is approximately $310. Premium cabin options may include business class, subject to the route.
  • JetBlue Airways: Flies to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and makes up around 7% of the arrivals to San Jose. The average one-way fare is roughly $260. Premium cabin selections may include premium economy class, depending on the route.

Best time to fly to San Jose

The most popular months for travelers to fly to San Jose are January, February, and March, when peak temperatures in San Jose can reach up to 71.6°F in March. If you prefer quieter travel, consider September, the least busy time to visit with temperatures around 71.1°F and typically the lowest average one-way fare (around $221), roughly 19% cheaper than the yearly average. Looking for additional cheaper months to fly? October and August offer average one-way fares roughly ranging from $224 to $237, making them good options for flexible travelers.

calendar iconMonthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinesscrowd level iconDemandprice iconAverage one-way Fare
January69.3°F (20.7°C)Light RainMostly SunnyHigh$295
February70.5°F (21.4°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyHigh$293
March71.6°F (22.0°C)Light RainMostly SunnyHigh$304
April72.9°F (22.7°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverage$295
May72.3°F (22.4°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyLow$250
June71.4°F (21.9°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyAverage$278
July70.7°F (21.5°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyAverage$289
August70.9°F (21.6°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyAverage$237
September71.1°F (21.7°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyLow$221
October70.3°F (21.3°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyLow$224
November69.4°F (20.8°C)Frequent RainMostly CloudyAverage$251
December69.1°F (20.6°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverage$378

*Average one-way fare is based on Expedia flight booking data from January 2025 to April 2026 for the specified route and travel class and may change depending on availability, dates, and demand.

How to save money on a flight to San Jose

Getting some of the best deals on flights to San Jose is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

  1. Compare flight options—use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
  2. Set up price alerts—as an Expedia member you can use Price Tracking to receive notifications when flight prices change.
  3. Bundle and save—book a flight and unlock a hotel deal on Expedia*, or explore our San Jose hotel and flight deals.
  4. Think about luggage-nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your baggage allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.
  5. Earn miles—you can earn airline miles when you book your San Jose flight with Expedia. Just select your frequent flyer program and enter your program number when confirming your booking.

*For members. Select hotels.

Arriving in San Jose

San Jose welcomes travelers through its range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. Here's how to reach San Jose efficiently:

  • Public transportation: From Juan Santamaría International Airport, Bahia Drake Seaport, a seaport, is located about 1.5 miles away by car, while San Antonio de Belen Station, a train station, is situated approximately 2.8 miles away by car, providing convenient access for onward travel.
  • Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in San Jose, with private rides that can be arranged in advance.
  • Car rental: Renting a car in San Jose is a good option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals in San Jose on Expedia.
  • Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.

Where to stay around San Jose

  • Grecia: Located 2 miles away from San Jose, Grecia offers a vibrant mix of outdoor activities and stunning scenery. This city is perfect for adventure seekers, with attractions like the Poás Volcano National Park, where you can explore breathtaking landscapes. Families will enjoy Grecia Park, a lovely urban space ideal for relaxation, while Parque Viva provides entertainment options for all ages. Additionally, the nearby beach and national park make Grecia a fantastic base for exploring Costa Rica's natural beauty.
  • Los Ángeles: Situated 3 miles away from San Jose, the quaint village of Los Ángeles is an excellent stop for travelers interested in both culture and nature. Here, you can visit the historic Ruinas de Ujarras, which offer insight into Costa Rica's rich heritage. Outdoor enthusiasts can venture to Poás Volcano National Park for spectacular views, or enjoy a leisurely day at Grecia Park, perfect for families and those looking to unwind amidst greenery.
  • Rodríguez: Rodríguez is located 7 miles drive away from San Jose and is a fantastic destination for those who appreciate outdoor exploration and scenic vistas. The Poás Volcano National Park is a must-visit for its striking landscapes and adventurous trails. Else Kientzler Botanical Garden provides a romantic setting filled with beautiful flora, while Parque Viva offers a venue for family-friendly events. With its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Rodríguez is a great choice for your Costa Rican adventure.

Tips for short-haul flights to San Jose

For quick getaways, efficiency is key. Here is how to make your short-haul journey smoother:

  • Pack light and skip checked bags—when flying with budget airlines, traveling with just a carry-on is often more cost-effective. Maximize space by using mini toiletries, wearing your bulkier clothing, and planning versatile outfits. This approach also eliminates the hassle of waiting at baggage claim upon arrival.
  • Bring your own entertainment—many short-haul flights might lack in-flight entertainment options. To stay engaged, download your favorite TV shows, movies, music, or podcasts ahead of time, and consider bringing a book. Remember to fully charge your devices before you board.
  • Arrive at the airport in plenty of time—even for short or domestic flights, it's advisable to arrive at least 1.5 to 2 hours prior to departure, taking into account potential traffic and security lines.
  • Bring your own snacks and water—pack some snacks and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated while saving money at the airport.

Tips for long-haul flights to San Jose

Flying long-haul sometimes requires extra planning to ensure a comfortable journey:

  • Select your seat in advance—for longer flights, choosing your seat is essential for comfort. Full-service airlines often allow free seat selection once online check-in opens, typically 24–48 hours prior to your flight. Some airlines may permit seat selection even earlier than this.
  • Arrive at the airport in plenty of time—aim to reach the airport at least 3 hours before departure for international flights, allowing ample time for check-in, security, and immigration procedures.
  • Relax at the airport—if you find yourself with extra time, take the opportunity to browse the shops, grab a coffee, or unwind at the gate or in a departure lounge if you have access. Airport Wi-Fi is generally free and readily available.
  • Adjust to the new time zone mid-flight—begin aligning your body clock by changing your watch and adjusting your sleep schedule to correspond with your destination's time zone. Try to sleep or stay awake during the flight in accordance with the local time at your arrival destination to help minimize jet lag.

Frequently asked questions

What month is the cheapest to fly to San Jose?
Plan your trip for May if you want to get a good price on your fare. It's the cheapest month to fly to San Jose. If possible, avoid traveling during busy periods such as public holidays or school breaks.
Which US cities fly direct to San Jose?
There are 13 US destinations that you can fly to San Jose directly from. Explore your options by using the "Direct flights only" box on Expedia and find the ideal departure point for your trip. Here are a handful of the top cities to take off from:
  • Houston
  • Orlando
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Miami
  • Atlanta
How to find a cheap flight to San Jose?
If you're looking for cheap flights to San Jose, consider low-season travel. Booking as early as possible may also help you score savings. Or, fly on a different day — flights on a Thursday are on average 16% cheaper than Sunday options.* Opt to receive flight price alerts on the Expedia app and you'll be notified as soon as fares fall.*Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
How to get a cheap last-minute flight to San Jose?
You can find awesome deals on last-minute flights to San Jose, especially if your travel arrangements aren't set in stone. Think about jetting out of a different airport, tweaking your trip dates or selecting an alternative airline to get a cheap flight to San Jose.
How far in advance should I book a flight to San Jose?
Secure the departure dates you want and a price that works with your budget by booking your domestic flight to San Jose up to 28 days in advance. Search for tickets between two and four months ahead if you're traveling to San Jose from an international destination.**Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
Which day of the week is the cheapest day to buy a plane ticket to San Jose?
Generally, you can find cheap flights to San Jose on a Sunday. Travelers can save about 8% on average compared to booking on a Friday, which is often the most expensive day to book.**Best day of the week to book, depart and ideal booking window recommendations based on average round-trip ticket prices for January through August 2023, sourced from Airline Reporting Corporation's (ARC) global airline sales database. Percentages noted are averages.
Which airlines fly to San Jose?
San Jose is accessible from 40 airports worldwide through 24 carriers, with Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) as its primary entry point. Choose from these leading airlines to San Jose when organizing your journey:
  • Copa Airlines
  • SANSA Regional
  • GetJet Airlines
  • AVIANCA
Where do you fly into San Jose?
The main airport when you fly to San Jose is Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), but there are other nearby possibilities like Tobias Bolanos Intl. Airport (SYQ) and Puntarenas (JAP-Chacarita). You can also arrive at La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) and Quepos (XQP) when flying to San Jose.
How far is the airport from central San Jose?
If you're touching down at Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), you'll be about 7 mi southeast of central San Jose.
Can I save money by booking a San Jose trip package?
Book a San Jose flight and hotel package deal on Expedia, and you can benefit from significant savings. It's a breeze to bundle your flight and hotel, and you can add car rentals and activities to create your own personalized San Jose vacation. Plus, nothing beats the convenience of booking everything in one place.
Can I change or cancel my flight to San Jose?
You can typically cancel or change your flight to San Jose within 24 hours of booking. However, keep in mind that some flights are non-refundable. In those cases, you may be issued credit for future flights in place of a direct refund. Make sure you check the airline's terms and conditions in your itinerary for exact details. Use Expedia's "No cancel fee" or "Changes included" filters during your search to secure cheap flights to San Jose with flexible change policies. For additional information, head to our Customer Service Portal.

*Flight schedules are subject to change.

*Available to One Key members.

Book with confidence

Tips to find the cheapest flights to San Jose

The cheapest day to fly

Get started finding a cheap flight to San Jose on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

The cheapest month to fly

May is the cheapest month to fly to San Jose. This coincides with the low season when fewer people travel. Whichever month you travel in, though, be sure to book at least a month in advance if you want to score cheap tickets to San Jose. ARC's data shows that domestic flights booked 28 days or more before departure are typically 24% cheaper than those booked last minute.

The most affordable time to book a flight

Typically, a Sunday can be the cheapest time to book a flight to San Jose, according to ARC’s data. On average, you could save between 6% and 13% by booking on a Sunday instead of a Friday, which is the most expensive day to make a reservation.

The cheapest round-trip tickets to San Jose

The lowest price for round-trip flights to San Jose in 2026 starts from from $209, while one-way tickets start from from $86. Expedia's effective search tool is one of the best ways to find a budget airfare. Simply enter your dates, and within seconds, it'll show you a vast selection of the cheapest flights to San Jose. If you have a preferred departure time or airline, you can use the handy filters to customize your search.

The cheapest airlines flying to San Jose

Volaris Costa Rica, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Arajet, Frontier Airlines are just some of the airlines that can typically offer cheap tickets to San Jose. You can find their most affordable flights by using the “airline” search filter and then sorting prices from low to high. As a trusted partner of the world's leading airlines, Expedia offers you some of the best airfare deals to San Jose and countless more destinations worldwide.

The most affordable airports to fly into

To view the cheapest airports to fly into for San Jose, simply order your search results from lowest to highest price. Expedia's search tool compares flight prices for all airports close to your destination, so you don't have to manually search them one by one to find the cheapest flight to San Jose. If you have a preferred place to fly into, take advantage of the “arrival airport” filter to narrow down your search on Expedia.

Save with a package

With Expedia's amazing package deals, you could save hundreds of dollars by booking your San Jose plane tickets together with your accommodations, car rental, or activities. Just select the search wizard's “package” option to view some of the cheapest deals. Look out for the green savings label to see how much you're saving.

Date flexibility for the cheapest flights to San Jose

If you can be flexible with your travel dates, it's a good idea to broaden your search by comparing prices on different days. This will open up more options, meaning you could uncover a less expensive flight to San Jose.

Stopover savings

The cheapest tickets to San Jose are sometimes those with a stopover. Book one of these flights, and you'll change planes at an airport en route to San Jose. While the overall travel time might be longer than a non-stop flight, you may decide it's worth it for the money saved.

Get Expedia's Price Drop Protection

Price Drop Protection means that if your flight gets cheaper after booking, you'll be credited the difference*. This gives you peace of mind that you're getting one of the cheapest flights to San Jose for your chosen departure. Expedia's Price Drop Protection is available for a small fee but is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

*Terms apply.

Use our Price Tracking feature

Expedia's Price Tracking feature is another great tool that removes the guesswork from finding cheap flights to San Jose. Simply download the free Expedia app to your smart device and activate San Jose flight price alerts for your travel dates. There's even a price predictor tool that uses historical data to indicate the best time to book, giving you peace of mind that you'll nab the lowest prices.

Book with Expedia

As well as Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking, Expedia's close partnership with a vast selection of the world's leading airlines means you're sure to find cheap flights to San Jose. Plus, the One Key rewards program lets you earn real cash rewards on most bookings that you can use to save money on future trips. Best of all, it's free to join, and members often unlock exclusive discounts, too.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Tips to find the cheapest flights to San Jose

Travel information

Destination airport
Juan Santamaría Intl.
Destination airport IATA code
SJO
Destination city name
San José
Roundtrip price
$208

Trending flights to San Jose

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $86 for one-way flights and $209 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Volaris Costa Rica

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