Best SAN Flight Deals Book Cheap Flights to San Diego
About San Diego
It's tough to find a city that does it so well, so easily. Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the continental United States between the Pacific Ocean and the sun-bleached mountains, San Diego hums at a pace that's tough to match anywhere else. San Diego has a mild Mediterranean climate with average daytime temperatures around 65–75°F (18–24°C) for much of the year, but it is not sunny every day—coastal fog (“May Gray” and “June Gloom”) is common. But San Diego is a success based on more than climate; it's a city where craft breweries exist within the same ZIP codes as the US Navy's largest Pacific fleet base, where 1,200-acre Balboa Park boasts 17 museums and a world-famous zoo, and where distinct neighborhoods like La Jolla, North Park, and Gaslamp Quarter create unique city experiences all on their own. For those on the hunt for cheap San Diego plane tickets, the payoff is immense.
- Cheapest month to fly to: January or February
- Cheapest days to book: 28 to 50 days before departure
- Cheapest day to fly to: Tuesday or Wednesday
- Best value airline: Southwest Airlines; Alaska Airlines
San Diego Airports
San Diego's lone commercial airport is incredibly conveniently located just three miles outside the city center – among the country's shortest airport-to-city routes.
Best Time To Book Affordable Airfare To San Diego?
The always desirable conditions of San Diego have compressed the fare calendar, while there's never a slump as extreme as you'll find in a place prone to harsh winters, truly inexpensive airfare to San Diego is only attainable at very specific times. January and February offer your best chance: the end of the holiday season and people's generally erroneous idea that winter weather means not visiting the city drives down both demand and fares together, and the period in late August through early September can often provide good prices as families finish their travels for the year and school begins.
The high-fare seasons you’ll want to avoid, not surprisingly, are: Comic-Con International, which makes the city the most sought-after destination in the U.S. For the entire week in July, pushing the price for flights from hubs such as New York City, Chicago, and Seattle up by 40-70%, the period from Thanksgiving to New Year's, the months of March and April due to school spring breaks, and the entirety of summer from June through August, especially non-stop flights originating on the East Coast.
Understanding Airlines, Policies, and Options at SAN
Despite the single-runway restriction, San Diego International Airport (SAN) remains one of the nation's top airports, serving over 25 million travelers a year. Luckily, this competitive market also means plentiful options for travelers.
Southwest Airlines:
- 2 free checked bags; any fare has no change/cancellation fees
- Strongest presence at SAN; likely the best place to begin when searching for bargain fares to San Diego from the West or Midwest
Alaska Airlines:
- Carry-on and personal item included on most fares
- Strongest for routes along the Pacific Coast (to/from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco); has one of the better domestic loyalty programs (Mileage Plan)
United Airlines:
- Carry-on is included on most fares, with Basic Economy having only a personal item
- Has the most comprehensive international network; this is likely the best option if your San Diego itinerary is part of an international trip
Delta Air Lines:
- Main Cabin fare includes a carry-on and personal item; Basic Economy fare has only a personal item
- A good, consistent option for East Coast and Southeast travel; earns SkyMiles on every trip
American Airlines:
- Carry-on is included on Main Cabin fares; Basic Economy fares only have a personal item
- Compete on East Coast and Texas flights; many routes with strong connection options at DFW and PHX
Spirit Airlines:
- Personal item only included in the fare, carry-on, and checked bags, and carry extra fees
- Great for ultra-low fares for carry-on-only travelers; can sometimes be pricier than legacy airlines once you factor in bag fees.
Hidden Fees: What to look for before you book
As a popular tourist and leisure destination, the airlines know people want to go to San Diego; as a result, San Diego routes face a lot of pressure to upsell you something. In particular, budget carriers flying in and out of SAN tend to have among the most intricate fee systems in the world, and major carriers' Basic Economy services often render a fantastic fare decidedly average by the time you pay to add a bag.
Before booking your discount airfare to San Diego, look out for:
- whether or not you're entitled to an overhead compartment, or limited to a personal item to be stored under the seat
- the total bag fees you will pay on each leg of your journey, not just the outward-bound trip
- seat assignment protocols (often, middle seats are the only option that comes free with a discount carrier, but both window and aisle seats come with an additional charge)
- refundability and change fees (essential for those looking to book during Comic-Con, spring break, or other busy times of year when their schedules may change)
Comparison shopping for your total itinerary, rather than just the base fare, across more than one booking site consistently produces better results than impulse buying on just one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions visitors commonly ask before travelling:
