Best Flights starting from $210
from$210economy
Durham (RDU)
Wed, Apr 1
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Mon, Apr 13
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Destinations
Durham (RDU) to Miami (MIA) in April from $56
From $56
Durham (RDU) to Detroit (DTW) in April from $138
From $138
Durham (RDU) to Phoenix (PHX) in April from $190
From $190
Durham (RDU) to San Diego (Any) in April from $194
From $194
Durham (RDU) to Key West (EYW) in April from $254
From $254
Durham (RDU) to San Jose (SJO) in April from $258
From $258
Flights from Other Cities
Phoenix (PHX) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $46
From $46
Honolulu (HNL) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $256
From $256
Phoenix (PHX) to San Diego (SAN) in May from $46
From $46
Charlotte (CLT) to San Diego (SAN) in May from $140
From $140
Atlanta (ATL) to San Diego (SAN) in May from $277
From $277
Charlotte (CLT) to San Diego (SAN) in May from $358
From $358
✈️ Flight Guide: Durham (RDU) → San Diego (SAN)
Complete travel information for your April journey
Departing from Durham (RDU) FAQs
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a medium-hub serving domestic and short international routes, and it frequently features competitive economy fares, especially on low-cost carriers. To find the cheapest economy flights from SAN, book 3–8 weeks in advance for domestic trips and compare budget airlines plus major carriers using flexible dates and fare alerts. Consider nearby alternate airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) for additional cheap-flight options.
Low-cost carriers operating from San Diego International Airport (SAN) include Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier along with competitive fares from Alaska and JetBlue on select routes. These airlines often run sales and flash deals for economy seats; sign up for carrier newsletters and use fare comparison tools to capture limited-time discounts. Also check bundled offers and basic economy restrictions so you understand baggage and seat selection costs.
In July, demand from San Diego International Airport (SAN) typically rises due to summer travel, so last-minute economy fares can be higher; however, early July often features competitive prices for popular leisure routes like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Mexican beach destinations. For the best July deals, book early, monitor mid-week departures, and consider flights to secondary airports such as Ontario (ONT) or John Wayne (SNA) for lower fares.
To save on costs at San Diego International Airport (SAN), use off-site parking lots with shuttle service or public transit (MTS trolley and bus connections) rather than on-airport long-term parking. Rideshares and shared shuttles often cost less than short-term airport lots; also consider drop-offs and pick-ups to avoid daily parking fees. Booking parking in advance and comparing ride-hailing prices can cut overall trip expenses.
For domestic economy travel from San Diego International Airport (SAN), arrive at least 90 minutes before departure for non-peak times and 2 hours during peak summer or holiday periods to allow for check-in, security, and potential traffic delays. If you have checked baggage or need to purchase upgrades, add an extra 30 minutes. Use TSA PreCheck to shorten security lines when possible.
November from San Diego International Airport (SAN) often yields good economy deals, particularly mid-November and the weeks after Thanksgiving as demand fluctuates; monitor fare alerts and set flexible date searches. Consider travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, sign up for carrier newsletters, and book 4–10 weeks ahead for domestic savings. Also check package deals bundling flights and hotels which can lower overall costs.
Arriving at San Diego (SAN) FAQs
Various Cheapest Economy Destinations (CHEAP) represents common low-cost economy destinations that offer the best fares for travelers leaving San Diego International Airport (SAN). This includes high-frequency short-haul and leisure routes such as Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Mexican beach destinations like Cabo San Lucas (SJD). Use fare comparison and flexible-date searches to identify the cheapest economy options among these arrival airports.
Although departing from San Diego International Airport (SAN), travelers often choose arrival airports in major nearby cities like Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Tijuana (TIJ) for cheaper economy fares and better connectivity. These cities tend to have more carrier competition and frequent flights which reduces ticket prices and increases the likelihood of finding a bargain fare.
To find the cheapest economy flights to Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS) from San Diego International Airport (SAN), use flexible-date searches, monitor fare alerts, and compare multiple airlines including Southwest and Spirit which frequently have low fares. Searching mid-week departures and early-morning or red-eye flights often lowers cost; also consider package deals and booking 3–8 weeks in advance for the best economy prices.
February is an ideal month for promotional cheap economy fares to Mexican beach destinations like Cabo San Lucas (SJD) and Puerto Vallarta, as post-holiday demand stabilizes and airlines promote warm-weather getaways. Book early in January or use fare alerts to capture seat sales; consider mid-week travel and basic-economy options to maximize savings.
Cheapest economy fares typically come with restrictions like carry-on or checked bag fees, limited or no seat selection, and stricter change/cancellation rules. Review the fare class carefully for flights arriving at your chosen airport and consider adding a baggage bundle or selecting a higher fare if convenience outweighs the savings. Comparing the total price (fare plus ancillary fees) gives a true cost comparison across carriers.
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Events and Festivals Affecting Fares at San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Planning Tips
- Check event calendars and book well ahead of major festivals to avoid price hikes.
- Consider flying in or out of alternate airports during large events to maintain cheap economy pricing.
- Use fare alerts at least 3 months prior for major event dates.
Plan travel around major San Diego events and search early for the cheapest economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Best Time to Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Cheapest Economy Insights
The best time to fly cheaply in economy from San Diego International Airport (SAN) depends on destination and season. Generally, midweek travel (Tuesday–Thursday), shoulder seasons (September–November and January–March), and early booking windows produce the lowest fares. Local events and holidays cause spikes; avoid peak holiday periods when possible.
Plan your trip during shoulder seasons and midweek for the cheapest economy fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Direct vs Connecting Flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Economy Tradeoffs
Choosing between direct and connecting flights affects price, travel time, and convenience. Direct nonstop flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to major hubs are often more convenient but sometimes cost more than connecting flights; however, long connecting itineraries can erode the cost advantage once additional time and potential layover costs are considered.
Compare nonstop and connecting economy itineraries from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to find the best balance of price and travel time.
Airline Comparison for Economy Travel from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Comparing airlines that operate from San Diego International Airport (SAN) helps budget travelers find the cheapest economy fares. Major carriers like Alaska and American offer broad networks and bundled fares, while Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier often provide lower base economy prices but charge for extras.
Carrier Overview
- Southwest
- Alaska
- Spirit/Frontier
- JetBlue
Compare total cost across carriers from San Diego International Airport (SAN), factoring in baggage and seat fees to find the true cheapest economy option.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Cheapest Economy Flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Use seasonal insights to plan the cheapest economy trip from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Search now and set fare alerts for your preferred travel window.
Flight Times and Schedules from San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Scheduling Tips
- Use flexible-date calendars to view weekly price patterns and pick cheaper time slots.
- Off-peak day and time travel (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, red-eyes) typically reduces economy fares.
- Check airline schedules for seasonal nonstop routes that can offer lower total travel time and cost.
Flight durations and schedules from San Diego International Airport (SAN) vary by destination. Short-haul flights to Los Angeles (LAX) or Las Vegas (LAS) are typically 45–90 minutes, while nonstop flights to the U.S. west coast hubs average 1–3 hours. For cheapest economy options, early morning and late-night departures often have lower demand and fare discounts.
Compare schedules and flight times from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to find cheap economy flights that match your travel window.
Cheap Flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Economy Fare Strategies
Finding cheap flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) in economy class requires a combination of flexible dates, airline comparisons, and awareness of seasonal demand. Popular search phrases include cheap flights from SAN, economy fares San Diego, and budget flights SAN to Las Vegas, LAX, SFO, and Mexican beach destinations.
Strategies
- Be flexible with travel dates and times — midweek and red-eye flights often offer lower economy fares.
- Set fare alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and airline newsletters to capture limited-time sales.
- Compare total cost including baggage and seat fees — the cheapest base fare may not be the best value.
- Consider nearby alternate airports (LAX, ONT, TIJ) for lower-price comparisons and more route options.
Search cheap economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) now and sign up for fare alerts to get notified of flash sales.