The best time to fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) for cheap economy fares is during shoulder seasons (late January–March and September–October), midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), and off-peak hours (red-eye or early morning). Book domestic economy tickets 3–8 weeks in advance and international economy 2–4 months ahead. Use flexible-date searches and set price alerts to capitalize on short sales.
Connecting flights often deliver the cheapest economy fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN), especially for longer routes where airlines add indirect itineraries to fill seats. Nonstop flights save time and reduce connection risk but typically come with a price premium. For short trips (under 2 hours), nonstop is often worth the small fare difference; for long-haul savings, choose vetted connecting itineraries with reasonable layovers (60–120 minutes domestic, 90–180 minutes international). CTA: Compare nonstop vs. connecting fares from SAN now to find your best balance of price and travel time.
Typical nonstop flight times from San Diego International Airport (SAN): Los Angeles (LAX) ~ 45–60 minutes, Las Vegas (LAS) ~ 1h 15m, Phoenix (PHX) ~ 1h 20m, San Francisco (SFO) ~ 1h 30m, Mexico City (MEX) ~ 3h 30m. For cheapest economy fares, look for early morning and late-night departures which are often less expensive.
To find cheap economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN), set flexible-date searches and fare alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner, compare low-cost carriers and legacy airlines, and consider nearby airports such as Los Angeles (LAX) or Tijuana (TIJ) for alternate savings. Primary keywords include 'cheap flights from SAN' and 'San Diego economy fares.' Use price-history tools and book on Tuesday–Thursday for the best odds of a low fare. CTA: Start a price alert for your SAN travel dates now.