$40 Cheap Flights to Santa Cruz, CA

View $40 flight on Thu, Jul 17, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines to Santa Cruz

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How much is the cheapest flight to Santa Cruz?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $40 for one-way flights and $80 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Thu, Jul 17 - Mon, Jul 21
SAN
San Diego
SJC
San Jose
$80 Roundtrip, just found
$80
Roundtrip
just found
Select Spirit Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jul 17 from San Diego to San Jose, returning Mon, Jul 21, priced at $80 just found
Southwest Airlines
Thu, Sep 11 - Tue, Sep 16
SAN
San Diego
SJC
San Jose
$97 Roundtrip, just found
$97
Roundtrip
just found
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Sep 11 from San Diego to San Jose, returning Tue, Sep 16, priced at $97 just found
Alaska Airlines
Tue, Jul 15 - Mon, Jul 21
SAN
San Diego
SJC
San Jose
$99 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$99
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Tue, Jul 15 from San Diego to San Jose, returning Mon, Jul 21, priced at $99 found 3 hours ago
Delta
Tue, Jul 22 - Sat, Aug 9
LAX
Los Angeles
SJC
San Jose
$110 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$110
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Jul 22 from Los Angeles to San Jose, returning Sat, Aug 9, priced at $110 found 6 days ago
Hawaiian Airlines
Wed, Jul 30 - Mon, Aug 4
SAN
San Diego
MRY
Monterey
$137 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$137
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Hawaiian Airlines flight, departing Wed, Jul 30 from San Diego to Monterey, returning Mon, Aug 4, priced at $137 found 2 hours ago

Santa Cruz Flights

Got the urge to vacation at the seaside? Book flights to Santa Cruz, California to satisfy your cravings for the sea and sand. The nearest flight terminal is Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is located roughly 30 miles north of Santa Cruz.

Serving San Jose and nearby Santa Cruz, SJC Airport provides a number of on-site amenities to cover all your travel needs. If you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at one of the fast food joints or cafes, which serve on-the-go sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and more. The airport also features a number shops where you’ll find in-flight entertainment, such as newspapers and books, but also souvenirs and snacks.

Airport Transportation

Once you’ve booked your Santa Cruz flights, it’s time to determine how you’ll get to and from the airport. For the freedom to cruise around the California coast at your own pace, consider booking one of our Santa Cruz car rentals here in advance. The beauty of a rental car is that the keys will be waiting for you as soon as your flight lands, so you won’t waste any time starting your adventures.

Alternatively, you can always hail a cab or arrange for a shuttle to transport you to vacation destination. If you’d prefer to take public transportation, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus services the VTA Light Rail, which connects to the Santa Cruz Metro.

Santa Cruz Activities

After setting your sights on Santa Cruz tickets, start planning the fun stuff! No trip to this seaside destination is complete without shooting down the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or browsing the exhibits at the Surfing Museum. While you’re in town, swing by the Mystery Spot to break all the rules of gravity, check out the mudstone structures at the Natural Bridges State Beach, and do a little shopping downtown on Pacific Avenue. Whether you want to scan the coast for whales or hike amongst the nearby redwoods, stay at one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz for easy access to the coastal action.

Planning Your Trip

If you’re still deciding when to book your tickets to Santa Cruz, take into account the city’s climate. Summer is the high season, when vacationers flock to the beaches to soak up the warm weather and sunshine. Alternatively, wintertime welcomes slightly cooler temperatures and rain, which means fewer tourists frequent the area. As for spring and fall, these shoulder seasons bring mild temperatures, perfect for outdoor activities, such as kayaking and wine tasting.

Here at Expedia.com, we’re excited to match you up with cheap flights to Santa Cruz, CA regardless of when you decide to visit. We want to help you get more bang for your buck, so you can focus more on your adventures and less on your budget. Browse through our discounts on direct flights and score some of the hottest deals around when you use our convenient mobile booking app. You can even bundle your flight with your hotel and car rental in our Santa Cruz vacation packages to save up to $570. Make all your arrangements right here today to ride the coasters on the boardwalk tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

What month is the cheapest to fly to Santa Cruz?
The least expensive month for flights to Santa Cruz is usually August *. Set your travel dreams in motion without going over budget by flying when fares are at their lowest. *Cheapest month to fly is based on the month with the cheapest flight found on Expedia.com in the next 330 days.
Which US cities have the cheapest flights to Santa Cruz?
Los Angeles, San Diego and New York usually have cheap flights to Santa Cruz. Remember that fares vary based on factors such as holiday periods, number of stopovers and demand.
Which US cities fly direct to Santa Cruz?
Choose from 64 US destinations providing direct flights to Santa Cruz. While booking on Expedia, click on the “Direct flights only” filter to find nonstop itineraries. Fly to Santa Cruz from any of these cities:

  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • New York
  • Seattle
  • Las Vegas

How to find a cheap flight to Santa Cruz?
To secure cheap flights to Santa Cruz, book early or travel during the off-season months of December and January. Want another tip? Jet off on a Thursday and save around 16% on average compared to those who travel on a Sunday.* Set up price tracking on the Expedia app and we’ll update you as soon as your fares go down.*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 Santa Cruz?
You can find cheap deals on last-minute departures to Santa Cruz, especially if your travel arrangements aren’t set in stone. Consider jetting out of a different airport, changing your trip dates or choosing another carrier to get a cheap flight to Santa Cruz.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Santa Cruz?
Find the departure dates you want and a fare your budget will love by booking your domestic flight to Santa Cruz up to 28 days in advance. Lock in tickets two to four months ahead if you’re jetting to Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
Sundays are typically the best day to book a cheap flight to Santa Cruz, where you can save 8% on average compared to Fridays. If you decide to buy tickets on a Friday, expect to pay a higher price as this is often the most expensive day.**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 Santa Cruz?
A total of 51 airlines connect 121 airports all over the world to Santa Cruz. Here are some of the key airlines to Santa Cruz, where San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is the major gateway:

  • United Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines

Where do you fly into Santa Cruz?
If you’re flying to Santa Cruz, the main airport to touch down at is San Jose, CA (RHV-Reid Hillview). You can also jet into nearby hubs like Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) or San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). An additional option to think about when you fly to Santa Cruz is Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK).
How far is the airport from central Santa Cruz?
If you’re touching down at San Jose, CA (RHV-Reid Hillview), you’ll be about 25 mi northeast of central Santa Cruz.
Can I save money by booking a Santa Cruz trip package?
Book a Santa Cruz flight and hotel package deal on Expedia, and you can make significant savings. It’s a breeze to bundle your flights and accommodations, and you can even add tours and car rentals to create your own customized Santa Cruz getaway. Plus, there’s nothing like the convenience of booking everything in one place.
Can I change or cancel my flight to Santa Cruz?
It’s usually possible to change or cancel your flight to Santa Cruz. Many airlines allow you to cancel your flights for free within 24 hours of making your booking. However, some flights are non-refundable, and airlines may offer you a credit toward future flights instead of a direct refund. To find cheap flights to Santa Cruz with flexible change policies, check “No cancel fee” or “Changes included” when you search. Want more information? Check out our Customer Service Portal.
Flights to Santa Cruz information
Destination airport
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.
Destination airport IATA code
SJC
Destination city name
San Jose
Roundtrip price
$80

Trending flights to Santa Cruz

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $40 for one-way flights and $80 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Thu, Jul 17 - Mon, Jul 21
SAN
San Diego
SJC
San Jose
$80 Roundtrip, just found
$80
Roundtrip
just found
Select Spirit Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jul 17 from San Diego to San Jose, returning Mon, Jul 21, priced at $80 just found

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