$105 Cheap Flights from Washington (IAD) to San Diego (SAN)

Popular airlines from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)

Cheap Flights from Washington to San Diego (IAD-SAN)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $105 for one-way flights and $205 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
United
Delta

Find the cheapest month to fly from Washington (IAD) to San Diego (SAN)

September is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $195 - $273 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flights from Washington (IAD) to San Diego (SAN)
Origin airport
Washington Dulles Intl.
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$205
Distance
2249 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 22 mins

Washington to San Diego Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington to San Diego

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Washington to San Diego are during the month of July. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to San Diego with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Washington to San Diego

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington to San Diego: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Washington to San Diego

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Washington to San Diego in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $105 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Washington to San Diego flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Washington to San Diego airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

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

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) cost?
You can find cheap return tickets from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) starting at $233. Book a seat and get ready to go. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Alaska Airlines flight leaving IAD on July 26 2025 and touching down at SAN. The price was last updated on July 1 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from IAD to SAN?
Look for direct flights from IAD to SAN in August to enjoy cheaper fares. You can find a one-way Alaska Airlines flight for $137 leaving on August 23 2025. This price is based on the cheapest direct flight found on Expedia for this route in the next 330 days. The price was last updated on July 1 2025 and remains unchanged.
Which airlines fly direct from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Fly directly from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) on a United Airlines flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from IAD to SAN?
Journey from IAD to SAN with Alaska Airlines. This carrier currently has the cheapest one-way fare for this route, starting at $137. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from IAD on August 23 2025. Prices were last updated on July 1 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
When departing from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD), you'll have your pick from an average of 4 daily direct flights to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Flights between IAD and SAN tend to be busiest at 5 PM. If you want a quieter experience and potentially cheaper tickets, look for a departure that's outside typical rush times.
What day of the week has the most flights from IAD to SAN?
Friday offers the most flights from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). Consider leaving on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your schedule.
What is the earliest flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Take the earliest flight at around 8:15AM UTC-5, leaving from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD). You'll be flying for about 5h 42m, coming in to land at San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) at approximately 10:57AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
The average flight duration from IAD to SAN is 5 hours and 43 minutes, covering a total distance of 2,300 mi.
What airline has the least delays from IAD to SAN?
United Airlines has the best performance for on-time direct flights from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), with an on-time score of 84%. Use the Expedia App to check your journey status before you jet off and get real-time alerts about any changes.
What is the best time to fly from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
To touch down at San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) without delays, pick a flight that leaves Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) before 3 PM. The chance of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Diego from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD)?
If you've booked a direct flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego, San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your departure to book a ticket from IAD to SAN often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute deals, there's no guarantee. Be flexible with your itinerary to boost your chances of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book an IAD to SAN flight and hotel package?
Opting for an IAD to SAN flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your trip all in one place. Pick from our extensive range of stays and then add activities, flights and car rentals to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
If you booked your IAD to SAN flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal if you want more information.

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