Best Flights starting from $315
from$315economy
San Diego (SAN)
Fri, May 1
Roundtrip
Tucson (TUS)
Sun, May 3
from$315economy
San Diego (SAN)
Sat, May 2
Roundtrip
Tucson (TUS)
Mon, May 4
from$315economy
San Diego (SAN)
Sun, May 3
Roundtrip
Tucson (TUS)
Tue, May 5
from$315economy
San Diego (SAN)
Mon, May 4
Roundtrip
Tucson (TUS)
Wed, May 6
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Other Options for This Route
Other Destinations
San Diego (SAN) to Las Vegas (LAS) in May from $56
From $56
San Diego (SAN) to Portland (PDX) in May from $116
From $116
San Diego (SAN) to Boston (BOS) in May from $157
From $157
San Diego (SAN) to Charlotte (CLT) in May from $197
From $197
San Diego (SAN) to Knoxville (TYS) in May from $205
From $205
San Diego (SAN) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) in May from $214
From $214
Flights from Other Cities
Rochester (RST) to Tucson (TUS) in June from $329
From $329
Reno (RNO) to Tucson (TUS) in June from $367
From $367
El Paso (ELP) to Tucson (TUS) in June from $451
From $451
Reno (RNO) to Tucson (TUS) in June from $535
From $535
El Paso (ELP) to Tucson (TUS) in July from $451
From $451
Cleveland (CLE) to Tucson (TUS) in July from $457
From $457
✈️ Flight Guide: San Diego (SAN) → Tucson (TUS)
Complete travel information for your May journey
Departing from San Diego (SAN) FAQs
To find the cheapest flights from Tucson International Airport (TUS), search fares early and compare economy fares across low-cost carriers and legacy airlines, monitor fare alerts, and be flexible with travel dates. Use midweek departures and consider connecting itineraries through hubs like Phoenix (PHX) or Las Vegas (LAS) to lower the total fare. Book 6–8 weeks in advance for domestic economy deals and check fare comparison sites and airline newsletters for flash sales.
Tucson International Airport (TUS) is served by a mix of legacy and low-cost carriers including Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta (seasonal/connecting), and Alaska Airlines. These airlines offer frequent economy-class options to hubs such as Phoenix, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles, giving travelers competitive pricing and multiple nonstop or one-stop choices. Compare seat fees and carry-on rules to get the true cheapest economy fare.
January (Tucson Gem & Mineral Show) and spring months (March–April, festival and university events) are busy at Tucson International Airport (TUS), often raising economy fares and reducing availability. Conversely, late fall and early winter (excluding holiday weeks) generally have lower demand and cheaper economy fares. Monitor local event calendars and book early during show months to avoid premium pricing.
Tucson International Airport (TUS) offers rental car services, ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft), taxis and limited public transit connections that make it easy to reach downtown Tucson and nearby areas like Sierra Vista and Nogales. For budget travelers, ride-shares and off-airport parking shuttles often beat taxi rates, while early-bird shuttle reservations can keep total trip costs down. Plan rides in advance during busy event months to avoid surge pricing.
Yes, airlines often add seasonal flights from Tucson International Airport (TUS) during winter and spring break periods, and reduce frequencies in late fall—outside holiday travel. Southwest and other carriers sometimes increase frequencies to leisure destinations in summer, while winter can bring extra service for major events. Check airline schedule updates and book early during added-service months to lock in cheaper economy fares.
Travelers often use Tucson International Airport (TUS) to reach Phoenix, Tucson metro, Sierra Vista, Nogales and even destinations like Los Angeles and San Diego via connecting flights. Because Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is a short drive away, many travelers compare fares and schedules between TUS and PHX when seeking the cheapest economy tickets. Consider both airports when hunting low-cost routes.
Arriving at Tucson (TUS) FAQs
To secure the cheapest arrival in Economy Class (ECONOMY) from Tucson International Airport (TUS), book midweek flights, be flexible on time and routing, and compare one-stop itineraries via hub airports like Phoenix or Las Vegas. Use fare aggregator sites and sign up for airline fare alerts to catch flash sales and economy-class discounts.
Baggage allowances in Economy Class (ECONOMY) vary by carrier; most low-cost fares exclude checked bags while legacy carriers may include one personal item and sometimes a checked bag on higher-fare economy tickets. Always check the airline's baggage policy before booking to avoid surprise fees and factor baggage costs into the total cheapest-fare comparison.
Economy fares are often cheapest during off-peak months such as September and early November, while prices rise during January Gem Show weeks and summer holidays. For arrivals into key destinations, aim for shoulder seasons and midweek travel windows to find the lowest economy fares.
Seat selection policies vary: some legacy airlines include basic seat selection in standard economy, while many low-cost carriers charge extra for preferred seats or early assignments. If you want a specific seat without fees, book a fare class that includes seating or check in early when free assignments are offered.
Direct arrivals can be more expensive than connecting flights, but that isn't always the case—sometimes carriers price nonstops competitively. For the cheapest economy arrival, compare both nonstop and one-stop itineraries; the lowest total fare, including baggage and seat fees, determines the best deal.
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Events & Festivals Affecting Airfares — Tucson (TUS) Calendar
Key events that influence airfare at Tucson International Airport (TUS): Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (January) — top driver of high January fares; Tucson Festival of Books (March) — increased spring demand; Tucson Rodeo (February) — local weekend price spikes; All Souls Procession (November) — affects select weekend fares. For cheaper travel during event times, fly midweek, compare nearby airports (PHX), and book well in advance. CTA: Check event dates before you search and set fare alerts early to capture cheaper economy fares.
Best Time to Fly from Tucson International Airport (TUS) — Save on Economy Fares
The best time to fly from Tucson International Airport (TUS) for the cheapest economy fares is midweek (Tuesdays–Wednesdays), during shoulder months (September, early November, April), and in off-peak travel windows outside major event weeks. Book domestic economy tickets about 6–8 weeks in advance, and international or holiday travel 2–4 months ahead. Use flexible search tools and sign up for price alerts to capture temporary drops and flash sales.
Direct vs Connecting Flights — Economy Choices from Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Choosing direct or connecting flights depends on priorities: nonstop saves time but can cost more; connecting itineraries generally lower the economy fare but add travel time and potential risk of missed connections. Common cheap connecting hubs for Tucson travelers include Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). For maximum savings, search one-stop routes and weigh the value of time versus price—especially during shoulder seasons and midweek departures.
Airline Comparison — Economy Fares from Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Southwest: Often best for simple economy pricing with two free checked bags and frequent TUS-LAX/LAS/PHX service—great for budget travelers avoiding baggage fees. American Airlines: Offers broad network connections and competitive economy fares to hubs like DFW and PHX; baggage and seat fees vary by fare class. Alaska Airlines: Good West Coast connectivity and competitive economy pricing on select routes. Delta: Useful for connections through DEN and ATL; economy fares competitive depending on sale windows. Compare total trip cost—fare + baggage + seat fees—to determine the cheapest airline for your travel dates. CTA: Check official airline pages and set fare alerts to compare real-time economy prices.
Seasonal Travel Tips — Save on Economy Flights from Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Spring: Watch festival dates and book 6–8 weeks in advance for best economy fares. Summer: Expect peak pricing—reserve early and consider red-eye flights for savings. Fall: Best value season—travel midweek and find low economy fares. Winter: January events like the Gem & Mineral Show can raise prices—book early or target late January/early February for discounts. Always compare total costs (fare + baggage + seat fees), use flexible-date searches and sign up for fare alerts. CTA: Apply these seasonal tips when searching cheap flights from Tucson International Airport (TUS) to get the best economy deals.
Flight Time & Schedules — From Tucson International Airport (TUS) to Major Hubs
Average flight times from Tucson International Airport (TUS): Phoenix (PHX) — ~45 minutes (shuttle/drive recommended for some savings); Las Vegas (LAS) — ~1h 15m nonstop; Los Angeles (LAX) — ~1h 25m nonstop; San Diego (SAN) — ~1h 10m; Denver (DEN) — ~2h 15m; Dallas (DFW) — ~2h 25m. Many cheapest economy itineraries use early-morning or late-night departures and one-stop connections through PHX or LAS. For schedule planning, check daily frequency patterns—Southwest and American run multiple daily flights seasonally—then combine off-peak times with flexible-date searches to find the best economic value.
Cheap Flights Guide — Economy Fares from Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Finding cheap flights from Tucson International Airport (TUS) requires flexibility and proactive monitoring. Use fare alerts, search flexible date calendars, and compare both nonstop and connecting itineraries through hubs like Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS) or Los Angeles (LAX). For economy-class savings, target midweek travel (Tuesdays/Wednesdays) and shoulder-season months (September, early November). CTA: Sign up for fare alerts and compare TUS vs PHX to unlock the cheapest economy fares for your travel dates.