Best Flights starting from $197
from$197economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Mon, Apr 13
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Thu, Apr 16
from$214economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Sat, Apr 11
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Tue, Apr 14
from$214economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Sun, Apr 12
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Wed, Apr 15
from$256economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Sat, Apr 4
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Thu, Apr 9
from$269economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Sun, Apr 5
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Fri, Apr 10
from$285economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Fri, Apr 10
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Mon, Apr 13
from$290economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Fri, Apr 3
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Wed, Apr 8
from$329economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Tue, Apr 7
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Fri, Apr 10
from$329economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Wed, Apr 8
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Sat, Apr 11
from$329economy
Sacramento (SMF)
Thu, Apr 9
Roundtrip
San Diego (SAN)
Sun, Apr 12
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Other Destinations
Sacramento (SMF) to Cincinnati (CVG) in April from $80
From $80
Sacramento (SMF) to Las Vegas (Any) in April from $97
From $97
Sacramento (SMF) to Vancouver (Any) in April from $143
From $143
Sacramento (SMF) to Austin (AUS) in April from $154
From $154
Sacramento (SMF) to Columbus (CMH) in April from $154
From $154
Sacramento (SMF) to Houston (Any) in April from $160
From $160
Flights from Other Cities
Phoenix (PHX) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $46
From $46
Dallas (DFW) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $56
From $56
Dallas (DFW) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $106
From $106
Boston (BOS) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $119
From $119
San Jose (SJC) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $127
From $127
Seattle (SEA) to San Diego (SAN) in April from $139
From $139
✈️ Flight Guide: Sacramento (SMF) → San Diego (SAN)
Complete travel information for your April journey
Departing from Sacramento (SMF) FAQs
To find the cheapest economy flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN), compare flexible-date calendars on Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak, set price alerts, and check low-cost carriers like Southwest and Spirit. Book 6–10 weeks in advance for domestic trips and 2–4 months ahead for international travel to secure the best deals.
Peak departure times at San Diego International Airport (SAN) are weekday mornings (6–9 AM) and late afternoons (4–7 PM), especially on Fridays and holiday periods in December and summer. If you want less crowded terminals and quicker security lines, aim for mid-week midday departures.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers some direct international routes, primarily to Mexico and seasonal flights to Canada; most long-haul international trips require a connection. For the cheapest economy fares to Europe or Asia, search connecting options via major hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX) or San Francisco (SFO).
From San Diego International Airport (SAN) you can easily reach nearby major cities and top destinations including Los Angeles, Tijuana, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Francisco. These cities are common connection points and offer frequent, competitively priced flights that help reduce overall travel costs.
Yes. January typically offers lower demand and discounted economy fares for domestic and international trips, while late August can yield deals for end-of-summer travel if you book early. Use month-based fare calendars to compare SAN departure prices and set alerts for these seasonal dips.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers restaurants, lounges, free Wi-Fi, rental car desks and multiple shuttle options. Ground transport includes MTS airport trolley and buses, rideshares, taxis and direct shuttles to downtown San Diego; plan 20–45 minutes for travel to central neighborhoods depending on traffic.
Arriving at San Diego (SAN) FAQs
'Cheapest Economy Fare Search (ECONOMY)' denotes a travel approach prioritizing the lowest available economy seat into your destination, often accepting longer connections or alternate airports. This strategy compares flexible dates, multiple nearby arrival cities, and low-cost carriers to minimize total trip cost.
Budget-conscious travelers often target major hubs and popular cities when searching for the cheapest economy fares, including New York, London, Mexico City, Los Angeles and Toronto. These cities offer frequent service and competitive pricing, enabling lower round-trip economy fares.
December typically has peak pricing due to holidays, so cheapest economy arrivals are rare and should be booked months in advance. March can present bargains outside spring-break peaks; searching early-March midweek arrivals often yields lower fares. Use fare calendars to compare month-by-month price patterns.
Arriving at a major hub often lowers base fares due to competition and volume, but smaller nearby airports can sometimes be cheaper when low-cost carriers operate there. Balance savings against ground transport costs and travel time to your final destination to determine the true cheapest arrival.
Strategies include being flexible with arrival dates and times, using multi-city and open-jaw searches, flying into alternate airports, choosing basic economy with minimal add-ons, and monitoring flash sales and error fares. Always factor baggage and seat selection fees into the estimated total cost to avoid surprises.
When searching for the lowest economy fares, include nearby major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, London, Mexico City and Toronto in your search set. These hubs often have more flights and competitive pricing which can reduce arrival fares even after ground transportation is considered.
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Events & Festivals Impacting San Diego (SAN) Travel — Book Economy Fares Smartly
Major events such as Comic-Con International (July), Fleet Week, San Diego County Fair (June) and large conventions at the San Diego Convention Center can significantly raise economy fare prices for departures and arrivals near specific dates. Expect higher demand for hotel and air travel around weekends and peak event days. To avoid premium fares, book months in advance or travel on event off-days.
Best Time to Fly — From San Diego International Airport (SAN) for Cheapest Economy Fares
Generally, the best time to fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) for the cheapest economy fares is during shoulder seasons (late January–February and September–October) and midweek (Tuesdays–Wednesdays). For international economy travel, booking 2–4 months ahead often secures the best rates. Avoid peak holiday windows (late December, mid-July) unless you can book several months in advance.
Tips
- Fly midweek and consider red-eye flights for lower economy prices.
- Use the 'cheapest month' search options on fare aggregators to find the best windows.
- Book international economy travel 2–4 months ahead; domestic 6–10 weeks is usually optimal.
Direct vs Connecting Flights — San Diego International Airport (SAN) Departures & Cheapest Economy Choices
Direct flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) offer convenience and shorter total travel time, but connecting flights can be substantially cheaper in economy class, especially when routed through major hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX) or San Francisco (SFO). If minimizing cost is your priority, searching connecting itineraries and accepting longer layovers often yields the lowest economy fares. For business or tight schedules, prioritize nonstop options despite a higher price.
Airline Comparison — Budget & Full-Service Carriers Serving San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Low-cost carriers like Southwest, Spirit and Frontier often offer the lowest headline economy fares from San Diego International Airport (SAN), but ancillary fees for baggage and seat selection can increase the total cost. Full-service carriers such as Alaska, United and American provide broader networks and included amenities on some fare classes, which may be more cost-effective for travelers needing checked bags or flexible changes. Always compare total door-to-door costs including baggage, transfers and potential overnight layovers.
Seasonal Travel Tips — Save on Economy Fares From San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Winter (Jan–Feb): Look for post-holiday dips and hunt for midweek savings. Spring (Mar–May): Avoid spring-break weeks and target shoulder-season windows. Summer (Jun–Aug): Book early and consider alternate airports; expect peak pricing in July. Fall (Sep–Nov): Shoulder season offers some of the year's best economy fares—use midweek travel to maximize savings.
Flight Time and Schedules — San Diego International Airport (SAN) Departures & Economy Arrival Planning
Typical nonstop flight times from San Diego International Airport (SAN) include: to Los Angeles (LAX) ~45–60 minutes, to Phoenix (PHX) ~1 hour 15 minutes, to Las Vegas (LAS) ~1 hour 20 minutes, to San Francisco (SFO) ~1 hour 40 minutes, and to New York (JFK/EWR) ~5–6 hours. For cheapest economy itineraries, early-morning and red-eye flights often offer lower fares and fewer delays. When choosing connecting itineraries, allow at least 1.5–2 hours for domestic connections and 2.5+ hours for international transfers.
Cheap Flights Guide — SAN Departures & Economy Arrival Strategies (ECONOMY)
To secure cheap flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) and the lowest-cost economy arrivals, use flexible-date searches, multi-airport comparisons and fare alerts. Consider low-cost carriers, basic economy fares and midweek departures. Always add estimated baggage and ground transport costs when comparing prices to ensure true savings.
Tips
- Set price alerts and check fare calendars regularly for SAN departures.
- Compare arrival airports (e.g., LAX, SFO, PHX) to find cheaper economy fares.
- Book 6–10 weeks ahead for domestic economy tickets and 2–4 months for international travel.
- Use incognito mode and multiple search engines (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak).
- Factor in baggage fees and ground transport when evaluating alternate arrival airports.