$49 Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN)

View $49 flight on Sat, Aug 16, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)

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Cheap Flights from Sacramento to San Diego (SMF-SAN)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $49 for one-way flights and $97 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Wed, Sep 3 - Sat, Sep 13
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$97 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$97
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Wed, Sep 3 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Sat, Sep 13, priced at $97 found 2 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Wed, Sep 3 - Sat, Sep 13
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$97 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$97
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Wed, Sep 3 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Sat, Sep 13, priced at $97 found 2 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Wed, Sep 3 - Wed, Sep 10
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$107 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$107
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Wed, Sep 3 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Wed, Sep 10, priced at $107 found 1 hour ago
Alaska Airlines
Sat, Aug 16 - Sat, Aug 23
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$112 Roundtrip, just found
$112
Roundtrip
just found
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Sat, Aug 16 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Sat, Aug 23, priced at $112 just found
Spirit Airlines
Fri, Oct 17 - Tue, Oct 21
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$114 Roundtrip, just found
$114
Roundtrip
just found
Select Spirit Airlines flight, departing Fri, Oct 17 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Tue, Oct 21, priced at $114 just found
Spirit Airlines
Wed, Jul 9 - Fri, Jul 11
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$114 Roundtrip, just found
$114
Roundtrip
just found
Select Spirit Airlines flight, departing Wed, Jul 9 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Fri, Jul 11, priced at $114 just found
Southwest Airlines
Wed, Sep 17 - Sat, Sep 27
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$117 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$117
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Wed, Sep 17 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Sat, Sep 27, priced at $117 found 2 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Wed, Sep 3 - Wed, Sep 10
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$117 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$117
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Wed, Sep 3 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Wed, Sep 10, priced at $117 found 1 hour ago
American Airlines
Fri, Aug 22 - Sun, Aug 24
SMF
Sacramento
CLD
Carlsbad
$159 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$159
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Fri, Aug 22 from Sacramento to Carlsbad, returning Sun, Aug 24, priced at $159 found 1 hour ago
United
Sun, Sep 21 - Mon, Sep 22
SMF
Sacramento
SAN
San Diego
$159 Roundtrip, just found
$159
Roundtrip
just found
Select United flight, departing Sun, Sep 21 from Sacramento to San Diego, returning Mon, Sep 22, priced at $159 just found

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN)

September is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $40 - $137 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near San Diego

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

Select flight to General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Intl. TIJ. Average driving time to city center is 26 minutes. Flights from $342
TIJ
General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Intl.
Average driving time to city center26 min
Flights from $342
Select flight to McClellan-Palomar CLD. Average driving time to city center is 38 minutes. Flights from $177
CLD
McClellan-Palomar
Average driving time to city center38 min
Flights from $177
Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN)
Origin airport
Sacramento Intl.
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$91
Distance
479 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 31 mins

Sacramento to San Diego Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Sacramento 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 Sacramento to San Diego are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Sacramento to San Diego with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento to San Diego in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $49 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) cost?
Score cheap return fares from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) starting at $116. Grab a seat and be on your way. 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 SMF on July 8 2025 and touching down at SAN. The price was last updated on June 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SMF to SAN?
Fly direct from SMF to SAN in October to land cheaper fares. You can find a one-way Southwest Airlines flight for $59 leaving on October 22 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 June 24 2025 and remains unchanged.
Which airlines fly direct from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Enjoy a seamless journey to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). 3 carriers operate nonstop flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), including:
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Frontier Airlines

What is the cheapest airline that flies from SMF to SAN?
Take off from SMF to SAN with Southwest Airlines. This airline currently offers the cheapest one-way ticket on this route, starting at $59. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SMF on September 17 2025. Prices were last updated on June 24 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
When departing from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), you can choose from an average of 12 daily direct flights to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Flights between SMF and SAN are their busiest at 10 AM. If you want a more relaxed trip and possibly cheaper prices, choose a time outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from SMF to SAN?
Jet off on a Thursday if you're searching for the best choice of flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN).
What is the earliest flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)'s first flight to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) departs at approximately 6:00AM UTC-8. With a travel time of 1h 34m, you'll touch down at around 7:34AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
It takes roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes to cover the 480 mi from SMF to SAN.
What airline has the least delays from SMF to SAN?
With 83% of flights typically landing on time, Alaska Airlines has the best on-time performance for nonstop flights from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). To monitor your flight status and get notifications if anything changes, simply head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
To arrive at San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) without delays, choose a flight that leaves Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**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 Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
If you're boarding a direct flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego, San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) is the only airport you can land at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from SMF to SAN are usually more expensive. To lock in the cheapest rates, start searching for flights as early as possible. That being said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, you may find a cheap fare just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a SMF to SAN flight and hotel package?
You'll generally save money by booking a SMF to SAN flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's simple to manage it all in one convenient place. After choosing your ideal flights and accommodations, consider adding extras such as activities, car rentals and tours.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
In most instances, you're able to cancel or reschedule your SMF to SAN flight. However, there may be additional charges, especially if you made your booking over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline's guidelines and fees on flight changes, or if you want more details, head to our Customer Service portal.

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