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San Diego (SAN)
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Over the last 2 years, we've sent Going members from San Diego (SAN) to 193 destinations. These are the cheapest flights we've found to each of those destinations.
Flights from San Diego (SAN) overview
Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members near San Diego (SAN) save approximately 37% compared to normal flight prices.
Cheapest Going deal
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Best month to fly
Going found the most deals with travel dates in January.
Worst month to fly
Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.
Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of San Diego (SAN)
Click the buy button during the Goldilocks Window
We contend that there is no single day of the week or time of day when airfare is predictably cheaper, but there are times before a flight when fares tend to be at their lowest. We call this sweet spot the Goldilocks Window. It’s about 1-3 months before a domestic flight and 2-8 months before an international one.
It’s important to remember that airlines almost always raise prices in the weeks leading up to a flight, so you shouldn’t count on some bargain last-minute fare to appear. Ticket prices routinely go up 21, 14, and 7 days before a flight, so be sure to book before those points. And, if your trip will be over a holiday or during peak season, you should plan to start looking at fares even before the Goldilocks Window—like looking in July for a trip over the December holidays.
Try the Greek Islands Trick
We all love a good travel hack, and the Greek Islands Trick is one of our favorites. The goal here is to find the cheapest fare you can for a long-haul flight that gets you close to where you really want to be and then book a separate flight (or even a train or ferry) to close the gap. And it works for places all over the world, not just the Greek Islands, although they do make for a handy illustration.
Let’s say you’re trying to plan a trip to Santorini, but the fares you’re seeing from San Diego are all in the $850 range or above. Rather than give up on your dream vacation, try zooming out on the map a bit. You might find that there’s a fantastic deal on flights from San Diego to Madrid, for instance, for $350 roundtrip. When you pair that with a $170 roundtrip flight from Madrid to Santorini, you’ve just saved a few hundred bucks. These kinds of two-part itineraries do require a little more planning on your part, but we think the savings are often worth it.
Look at departure airports near and far
Anyone who lives in the San Diego area may already be used to checking flight options from the many LA-area airports, and that’s a great thing to do. But you might also want to keep an eye on departure points a little further from home.
We see super low fares from airports all over the place in big and small cities, and in some cases, they may be so good that an extra flight from San Diego to get there will still be cheaper than flying direct. Consider, for instance, the $63 roundtrip fare we found once from Atlanta to Chile. Given that kind of jaw-droppingly low price, we suspect you won’t be too annoyed with having to book a flight to Atlanta to take advantage of it.
Focus on flexibility
One of the keys to saving money on travel is flexibility. Traveling outside the peak season is an especially good way to save (we’re big fans of the shoulder seasons, usually spring and autumn). If you can swing it, you may want to check out fares and plan a trip based on when they’re cheap rather than picking dates first and buying tickets after.
Of course, peak seasons like summer are popular for some very good reasons—namely, school is out, and the weather is glorious. If you’re stuck with a high-season trip, you can still save a little bit of cash by scheduling your flights on the days when it’s usually cheapest to travel (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays) and avoiding the days when it’s usually more expensive (Fridays and Sundays).
Sign up for a fare alert email
Most people may not want to add another incoming email to their inbox, but this is one that can save you quite a bit of money—not to mention time. Instead of constantly checking the changing prices on a flight, sign up for a fare alert for the trip you want to take. When the price drops into a certain range, you’ll be notified via email that it’s time to book. If you’re looking at multiple trips, you’ll have to set multiple alerts. And it’s a good idea to do this a few months beforehand so you’re able to get the best deal. Or? You could just join Going and we’ll take care of all of this for you.
San Diego is a focus city for Alaska Airlines and an operating base for Southwest Airlines, with 14 other airlines also serving SAN. There are nonstop flights from San Diego to 75 airports, including 63 domestic destinations and airports in five different countries. With nonstop flights to major hubs both in the United States and abroad, you stand a very good chance of needing no more than one layover to get where you want to go from San Diego.
Frequently asked questions about flying from San Diego (SAN)
What is the airport code for San Diego International Airport?
The airport code for San Diego International Airport is SAN.
Does San Diego International Airport (SAN) have its own on-site hotel?
There are no on-site hotels at the San Diego airport, but there are several options just beyond airport property. The airport is also very close to the city, too, where there are exponentially more hotels to choose from.
What lounges are available at San Diego International Airport (SAN)?
There are two airline lounges at SAN and one that’s open to travelers on any airline. All of these are in Terminal 2.
There is a Delta Sky Club just past the security checkpoint for gates 33-50 on the mezzanine level (open 5am-10:30pm). Features include free food, beverages, and WiFi. Sky Club access is free for Sky Club members, Delta’s and Air France’s first-class or business-class ticketholders, SkyMiles Reserve cardholders, and AmEx Platinum cardholders with a Delta boarding pass.
The United Club is also located just past the security checkpoint for gates 33-50 on the mezzanine level (open 5:15am-10pm). Guests get free light snacks, a full-service bar, and free WiFi. Access is free for United Club members, travelers flying first or business class on United or its Star Alliance partners, United Club Infinite cardholders, and some elite-status United or Star Alliance frequent flyers. Day Passes are also available for $59.
The Aspire Lounge is just past the checkpoint for gates 20-32 on the second level (open 5am-10pm). Amenities include free WiFi and shower facilities, plus a wide variety of food and drinks. Access is free for Platinum and Centurion American Express cardholders and business class travelers on American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Edelweiss. Day passes start at $44.
Does San Diego International Airport (SAN) have facilities for those traveling with pets?
All service animals in the airport must be on a leash at all times. Pets must be kept in their carriers when they’re not using an animal relief area. There are seven Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs) throughout the airport, both pre- and post-security. If you are flying from Terminal 1 and you find you need a SARA after you’ve gone through security, you may be able to use one of the pre-security SARAs without having to go through security again—ask a TSA official.
Pre-security:
- Outside Terminal 1 in Zone A
- Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in Zone J
- Outside Terminal 2 at the east end of the ground transportation island
- Outside Terminal 2 at the west end of the ground transportation island
- Outside Terminal 2 across from Zone W at the entrance to the McCain parking lot
Post-security:
- Near gate 47 in Terminal 2
How many terminals are there in San Diego International Airport (SAN)?
There are two terminals at San Diego’s airport: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Each terminal has two concourse branches called rotundas.
Terminal 1 is the smaller of the two, with service from Southwest, Frontier, Sun Country, and Spirit. There are restaurants and shops in each rotunda post-security, as well as some between the rotundas pre-security. Dining options throughout Terminal 1 include Bankers Hill, Urban Crave, Pacifica Breeze Cafe, and The Counter Custom Built Burgers. Shops include The Beach House and Bay Books of Coronado. There is a nursing room just past the security checkpoint for gates 3-10, and another just past the checkpoint for gates 11-18.
Terminal 2 has both domestic and international flights, with service from Alaska Airlines, American, Allegiant Air, British Airways, Delta, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, Edelweiss, Hawaiian Airlines, Lufthansa, United, and WestJet. Restaurants and shops are almost all post-security in Terminal 2. Dining options include The Prado at Balboa Park, PGA Tour Grill, Stone Brewing Company, Camden Food Co., Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar, Phil’s BBQ, and Beaudevin Wine and Tapas Bar. Shops include Gaslamp Marketplace, Rip Curl, PGA Tour Shop, Artisan Market, and multiple Duty Free locations. There is a nursing room near gate 34 on the second level.
Does SAN have CLEAR?
Yes, CLEAR is available at the San Diego airport in the west checkpoint of Terminal 2. The CLEAR Enrollment office is pre-security in the ticketing area.
Does SAN have TSA PreCheck?
Yes, TSA Precheck is available at security checkpoints in both terminals at San Diego International. The enrollment office is in Terminal 2, near the ticketing area for American Airlines and Allegiant Air.
Does SAN have Global Entry?
Yes, Global Entry is available for international arrivals at SAN. The enrollment office is in Terminal 2, just before the security checkpoint for gates 33-50.
How early should I arrive to San Diego International Airport (SAN) before my flight?
The San Diego Airport echoes the usual advice about when to get to the airport: two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Depending on your specific trip, however, you may not need as much time—or you may need more. Here’s what to consider for planning your own trip:
How big is the airport, and where is your gate? SAN isn’t a particularly huge airport, but it’s important to find out where your gate is so that you arrive at the correct terminal. Sure, you can get from one to the other if you end up at the wrong one, but that takes extra time. Walking between the two furthest rotundas may take 10 minutes, and that’s not including security.
Do you have to check in or check bags at the airport? If you need to check in at the airport for any reason or you have luggage to check in, you’ll need to allow enough time for that. Airlines have deadlines by which you and your bag must be checked, or neither is getting on the plane. For passengers, it’s usually 30-60 minutes before a flight. For bags, it’s around 45-60 minutes beforehand.
How busy is the airport going to be? On an average day, it might take 15 minutes or less to get through security. During peak season or holidays (or when there’s construction going on, as there currently is with Terminal 1), security will move much more slowly. Wait times are usually much longer in the early mornings.
Travelers who are able to check in from home and who aren’t checking a bag may be able to get away with arriving 1.5 hours before a flight from SAN, but given the current construction work on Terminal 1, you’d be better off allowing at least two hours (if not a bit more) if you have a flight from Terminal 1.
How far is San Diego International Airport (SAN) from downtown San Diego?
San Diego is 2-3 miles from the airport, depending on the route. It’s a quick drive in normal traffic, usually around 10 minutes.
What are the different transportation options for going from the city center to San Diego International Airport (SAN)?
There are a number of good options for traveling from San Diego to SAN.
By taxi or ride share: Since the airport is so close to the city, there is no flat-rate for taxi trips. Taxi fares from San Diego to the airport are about $15-25, depending on where exactly you’re coming from and whether traffic is bad. A trip through a rideshare app costs about $20, depending on traffic and demand.
By public transportation: There is a free shuttle that runs between the Old Town Transit Center and the airport, the San Diego Flyer. The trip takes about a half-hour. The city bus line Route 992 also serves both terminals at the airport and stops at the Santa Fe Depot (among many other points) in downtown San Diego. This trip takes about 12-15 minutes, and tickets are $2.50.
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Near San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Nearby hotels
Nearby airports
- John Wayne Orange County International Airport (SNA)76 miles away
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)85 miles away
- Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field) (LGB)93 miles away
- Ontario International Airport (ONT)94 miles away
- Los Angeles / Tom Bradley International Airport (LAX)109 miles away
- Bob Hope Airport (BUR)121 miles away
* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.
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