Best Flights starting from $309
from$309economy
Buffalo (BUF)
Thu, Jul 30
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Tue, Aug 4
from$322economy
Buffalo (BUF)
Fri, Jul 31
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Wed, Aug 5
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Destinations
Buffalo (BUF) to Orlando (MCO) in July from $213
From $213
Buffalo (BUF) to Honolulu (HNL) in July from $755
From $755
Buffalo (BUF) to Vancouver (Any) in August from $151
From $151
Buffalo (BUF) to London (LHR) in August from $624
From $624
Buffalo (BUF) to London (Any) in August from $624
From $624
Buffalo (BUF) to Honolulu (HNL) in August from $978
From $978
Flights from Other Cities
Chicago (ORD) to San Diego (SAN) in July from $144
From $144
Montreal (YUL) to San Diego (SAN) in July from $245
From $245
Philadelphia (PHL) to San Diego (SAN) in July from $310
From $310
Hartford (BDL) to San Diego (SAN) in August from $111
From $111
Cedar Rapids (CID) to San Diego (SAN) in August from $259
From $259
Budapest (BUD) to San Diego (SAN) in August from $567
From $567
✈️ Flight Guide: Buffalo (BUF) → San Diego (SAN)
Complete travel information for your July journey
Departing from Buffalo (BUF) FAQs
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the primary airport serving San Diego, California. Located just three miles from downtown San Diego, SAN offers domestic and limited international flights and is a key gateway to Southern California and Baja California.
To find the cheapest economy fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN), search flexible dates, set fare alerts, compare budget carriers (Southwest, Alaska Airlines, Spirit, Frontier) and major OTAs, and book 4–8 weeks in advance for domestic flights. Use location modifiers like "cheap flights San Diego to Las Vegas economy" in search engines to surface low-cost, Google Flights and Skyscanner deals.
Travelers use San Diego International Airport (SAN) to access Los Angeles, Orange County (John Wayne Airport), Tijuana, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and destinations in Baja California such as Ensenada. SAN is also commonly used as a gateway to national parks and southwestern cities like Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.
March often has competitive economy fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN) thanks to reduced winter demand and pre-spring promotions; you can find cheap flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Seattle. Sign up for March-specific fare alerts and monitor mid-week departures for the best savings.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is accessible by taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), MTS buses, and the San Diego Trolley (via shuttle connections). Short-term and long-term parking, as well as rental car facilities, make SAN convenient for both local residents and visitors connecting to nearby cities like Coronado and Del Mar.
To minimize baggage fees when flying economy from San Diego International Airport (SAN), travel with a carry-on that meets airline size/weight limits, join airline loyalty programs for complimentary allowances, and compare bundled fares versus basic economy. Prepay checked bags online and check for credit card benefits that include free baggage to lower total travel costs.
Arriving at San Diego (SAN) FAQs
Economy Class (ECONOMY) refers to the standard, most affordable seating class on commercial airlines, typically offering the lowest base fare with optional add-ons for baggage and seat selection. For arrivals in economy, expect basic onboard services and a range of fare rules depending on the carrier.
Common cheap economy arrivals from San Diego International Airport (SAN) include Las Vegas (McCarran/Las Vegas Harry Reid), Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA). These hubs see frequent budget service and competitive pricing, especially mid-week.
Arrival procedures for economy passengers at major U.S. airports are generally the same as other classes: deplaning, baggage claim, customs/immigration where applicable, and ground transportation. Budget travelers should allow extra time for baggage collection if flying with checked luggage and review arrival terminal maps for efficient connections.
September usually sees reduced arrival prices for economy travelers due to the end of peak summer travel. Airlines often drop fares for leisure routes and transcontinental flights, so travelers arriving in September can find solid deals if they book 3–8 weeks ahead.
At smaller regional airports, economy arrivals usually mean faster deplaning, shorter walks to baggage claim, and limited ground transport options. Check shuttle schedules ahead of time and consider pre-booking a rideshare or rental car, especially when arriving late at night.
1.0.2603.08
Events & Festivals Affecting Economy Fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Major events that affect SAN economy fares include San Diego Comic-Con (July) which dramatically increases demand and prices; San Diego County Fair (June–July); Fleet Week and major sports events; and seasonal conventions at the San Diego Convention Center. Nearby destination festivals—Las Vegas conventions, Phoenix Spring Training, and Napa Valley harvest season—also drive pricing on connecting routes. To avoid surcharge periods, travel outside peak event dates or book well in advance. CTA: Check event calendars before booking economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to avoid event-related fare spikes and secure the best prices.
Best Time to Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) for Cheap Economy Tickets
The best time to fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) for cheap economy tickets is typically mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) and during shoulder months (late January–March and September–mid-November). Book domestic economy tickets 4–8 weeks in advance and international economy 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and availability. Avoid peak holiday windows (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer weekends) or purchase early to minimize premium fares. CTA: Use flexible-date searches and fare alerts to target the best time to fly from SAN in economy.
Direct vs Connecting Flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Economy Trade-offs
Direct flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) save time and reduce transfer risk but may cost more than connecting economy itineraries. Connecting flights often offer the cheapest economy fares because airlines can route passengers through hubs (PHX, LAX, SFO) and sell lower base fares. If traveling on a tight budget, consider a single connection with at least 60–90 minutes for domestic transfers; for international connections, allow 2+ hours. Balance savings against potential delays—if time is critical, pay a bit more for nonstop economy service. CTA: Compare direct and connecting economy options from SAN to choose the best mix of price and convenience for your trip.
Airline Comparison for Economy Travel from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Southwest — strong for domestic economy with two free checked bags and flexible change policies; often competitive on price. Alaska Airlines — reliable economy service with good network to the Pacific Northwest and customer service. Delta/American/United — legacy carriers offering more schedule options and connections but higher base economy fares and fees. Spirit/Frontier — ultra-low-cost carriers with the lowest base fares but many ancillary fees (seat selection, bags). Volaris — top low-cost option for cross-border economy flights to Mexico from SAN. Choose Southwest for baggage-friendly economy travel, Spirit/Frontier for rock-bottom base fares (watch fees), and Alaska or legacy carriers for balance of service and schedule choice. CTA: Compare total door-to-door price (including baggage and seat fees) before booking the cheapest economy option from SAN.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Economy Fliers from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Spring: Shoulder-season airfare bargains; pack a light jacket and check spring event dates to avoid fare spikes. Summer: Peak pricing—book 2–3 months in advance for economy seats; bring sun protection and consider early-morning flights to avoid delays. Fall: Great for cheap economy travel—book 3–6 weeks ahead, and pack layers for variable weather. Winter: Off-peak windows after holidays offer deals; if traveling during winter storms, allow extra connection time and verify alternate routing options. Always check baggage policies and carry essential documents in a personal item to avoid gate-checked items and extra fees. CTA: Use these seasonal tips to plan and book the cheapest economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) with confidence.
Flight Times & Schedules from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Economy Overview
Typical flight times from San Diego International Airport (SAN) in economy: SAN to Las Vegas (LAS) ~1h 15m direct; SAN to Phoenix (PHX) ~1h 20m; SAN to Los Angeles (LAX) ~40–50m; SAN to San Francisco (SFO) ~1h 35m; SAN to Seattle (SEA) ~2h 40m. Budget airlines often operate multiple daily flights, especially early morning and late evening redeyes which can be cheaper. For connecting itineraries, allow at least 60–90 minutes for domestic connections to avoid missed flights, and 2–3 hours for international connections. Use airline apps for real-time schedule updates and consider early-morning departures to reduce delay risk. CTA: Check live schedules and book economy flights from SAN during off-peak departures for better on-time performance and lower fares.
Cheap Flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Economy Strategies
To book the cheapest economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN), use flexible-date search engines, set price alerts, and check low-cost carriers (Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Volaris). Use location-based searches like "cheap SAN to Las Vegas economy" and compare one-way versus round-trip pricing. Consider booking 4–8 weeks ahead for domestic routes and 2–4 months for international economy travel. Combine credit card travel perks, loyalty points, and bundled hotel/car deals to reduce total trip cost. CTA: Start a fare search for cheap economy flights from San Diego (SAN) now and subscribe to alerts for instant deal notifications.