Cheap Domestic Flights in USA

How to find cheap flights to San Diego?

How to find cheap flights to San Diego?

✈️ Planning your trip to San Diego (SAN) doesn’t have to stretch your travel budget. With the right tools, booking strategy, and timing, you can consistently score fares under $99 one-way from major U.S. cities. Use the guide below to unlock deals, cut fees, and travel smarter.

🔥 Flight Deals to San Diego (SAN)

These current and recent domestic deals to SAN show how low prices can dip:

  • 🛫 LAS → SAN: from $49 on Southwest
  • 🛫 PHX → SAN: from $59 on Frontier
  • 🛫 SLC → SAN: from $69 on Delta
  • 🛫 DEN → SAN: from $79 on United
  • 🛫 OAK → SAN: from $69 on Southwest
  • 🛫 LAS → SAN: from $54 on Spirit (limited-route)
  • 🛫 SEA → SAN: from $89 on Alaska Airlines
  • 🛫 PDX → SAN: from $99 on Alaska

Track real-time price drops using Google Flights, Skyscanner, or KAYAK.

🧠 Airline Hacks That Lower Your SAN Fare

  • 💳 Book directly to use 24-hour free cancellation windows.
  • 📅 Fly midweek—Tuesday and Wednesday departures to SAN save $30–$70.
  • 🔁 Search one-way flights separately to uncover cheaper combinations.
  • 🧹 Use private browsing to avoid dynamic fare bumps.
  • 📱 Turn on multiple alerts to catch overnight price drops.

🏙️ Airport Guide: San Diego International Airport (SAN)

SAN is compact and only minutes from downtown. Quick essentials:

  • 🚗 Drive time to downtown: ~10 minutes
  • 🧭 Terminals: T1 & T2
  • 📍 Main carriers: Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United, American
  • 🧳 Airport Info: san.org

💳 Credit Card Travel Tips

  • ✨ Book through transfer partners—SAN flights can cost 6,000–10,000 points.
  • 🏅 Use cards with built-in trip protection benefits.
  • 💼 Airline cards often include a free checked bag, saving $30–$35.
  • 🎯 Use portal bonuses for extra points on the ticket purchase.

⏰ Last-Minute Flights to San Diego

  • 🕒 Southwest frequently drops fares within 24–72 hours.
  • 🛎️ Check nearby airports like LAX for alternate routing.
  • 🌙 Red-eye and early morning flights are often cheaper.
  • 📱 Look for app-only fares on participating airlines.

🛡️ Travel Insurance Options

  • 📘 Choose plans covering interruptions and missed connections.
  • 📦 Find policies including baggage reimbursement.
  • 💳 Many premium travel cards include free insurance benefits.

👜 Baggage Fees Overview

  • Southwest: ✔️ 2 free checked bags
  • United / Delta / American: $30–$35 for first checked bag
  • Frontier: $39–$79 depending on booking timing

Tip: Prepay bags online—airport prices are often $10–$25 higher.

📅 Best Times to Book Flights to San Diego

  • 🗓️ Best window: 3–7 weeks before departure.
  • 🏖️ Avoid late June–August and spring break peaks.
  • 🌅 Morning flights tend to be cheaper and more punctual.

📌 Best Time to Book Flights to SAN

Prices usually fall during:

  • Late August – Early October
  • Mid-January – Early March

🌤️ Cheapest Month to Fly to San Diego

September usually delivers the lowest fares, with domestic roundtrips often running $148–$198.

✈️ Nonstop Flights to San Diego – Airlines & Price Examples

  • 🛫 SEA → SAN – Alaska Airlines from $89
  • 🛫 PHX → SAN – Southwest from $59
  • 🛫 DEN → SAN – United from $79
  • 🛫 SFO → SAN – Alaska from $99
  • 🛫 LAS → SAN – Southwest from $49

💡 Tip

Turn on Google Flights tracking and pair it with alerts from a second platform like Skyscanner. Two alert systems dramatically boost your chances of catching short-term fare drops that disappear within hours.