Cheap Flights from Santa Monica (SMO) to San Diego (SAN)

Popular airlines from Santa Monica, CA (SMO-Santa Monica Municipal) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)

Flights from Santa Monica (SMO) to San Diego (SAN)
Origin airport
Santa Monica Municipal
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Distance
114 mi

Santa Monica to San Diego Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Santa Monica to San Diego

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica to San Diego in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from SMO to SAN by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SMO to SAN?
The cheapest flights from SMO to SAN are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
While Santa Monica, CA (SMO-Santa Monica Municipal) doesn't have any direct flights to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), other airports have nonstop routes. Leaving from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) will get you to San Diego without any detours.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SMO to SAN?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from SMO to SAN. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
There aren't any daily nonstop flights from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). But you can opt for flights with layovers. Filter your search on Expedia to include one or more stops, and you'll be soaring above the clouds in no time.
What day of the week has the most flights from SMO to SAN?
You'll generally find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays tend to be the busiest.* However this can change from season to season and during peak travel times or public holidays.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Choose a flight from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations and delays. Departures after this time are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**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.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from SMO to SAN are usually more expensive. To lock in the lowest rates, start searching for flights well in advance. That being said, if you can play around with your travel dates, it's possible to land a cheap ticket right before your journey.
Is it cheaper to book a SMO to SAN flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a SMO to SAN flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better still, managing everything in one place takes the hassle out of planning your trip. Simply pick your flights and select from our wide range of stays, then personalize your trip with extras like car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
It's generally possible to cancel or reschedule your SMO to SAN flight. However, for bookings made more than 24 hours ago, additional fees may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.