$29 Cheap Flights from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO)

View $29 flight on Fri, May 9, 2025Opens in a new window

  • Plan, book, fly with confidence

  • trending down icon
    Be in the know
    Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
  • bex rewards loyalty icon
    Book smarter
    Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
  • one key icon
    Earn twice
    Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash
    Learn about One Key
Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN-SFO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $29 for one-way flights and $52 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

United
Tue, May 20 - Tue, May 20
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$52 Roundtrip, just found
$52
Roundtrip
just found
Select United flight, departing Tue, May 20 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Tue, May 20, priced at $52 just found
Alaska Airlines
Thu, Jul 31 - Mon, Aug 4
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$57 Roundtrip, just found
$57
Roundtrip
just found
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jul 31 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Mon, Aug 4, priced at $57 just found
Alaska Airlines
Wed, May 7 - Sun, May 11
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$63 Roundtrip, just found
$63
Roundtrip
just found
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Wed, May 7 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Sun, May 11, priced at $63 just found
Frontier Airlines
Sat, Jun 28 - Tue, Jul 1
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$66 Roundtrip, just found
$66
Roundtrip
just found
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Sat, Jun 28 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Tue, Jul 1, priced at $66 just found
Bargain Flight
Sat, May 3 - Mon, May 5
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$67 Roundtrip, just found
$67
Roundtrip
just found
Select Bargain Flight flight, departing Sat, May 3 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Mon, May 5, priced at $67 just found
Alaska Airlines
Wed, Jul 30 - Thu, Aug 14
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$67 Roundtrip, just found
$67
Roundtrip
just found
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Wed, Jul 30 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Thu, Aug 14, priced at $67 just found
Frontier Airlines
Fri, May 9 - Sun, May 11
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$68 Roundtrip, just found
$68
Roundtrip
just found
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Fri, May 9 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Sun, May 11, priced at $68 just found
Bargain Flight
Sat, May 3 - Tue, May 6
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$71 Roundtrip, just found
$71
Roundtrip
just found
Select Bargain Flight flight, departing Sat, May 3 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Tue, May 6, priced at $71 just found
Frontier Airlines
Sat, Jun 14 - Sat, Jun 21
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$71 Roundtrip, found 6 hours ago
$71
Roundtrip
found 6 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Sat, Jun 14 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Sat, Jun 21, priced at $71 found 6 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Jun 10 - Tue, Jun 10
SAN
San Diego
SFO
San Francisco
$72 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$72
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Jun 10 from San Diego to San Francisco, returning Tue, Jun 10, priced at $72 found 10 hours ago
Flights from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO)
Origin airport
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport
San Francisco Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$51
Distance
446 mi

San Diego to San Francisco Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Diego to San Francisco

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from San Diego to San Francisco are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San Diego to San Francisco with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from San Diego to San Francisco

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from San Diego to San Francisco

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from San Diego to San Francisco in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $29 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap San Diego to San Francisco flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your San Diego to San Francisco airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) cost?
You can find cheap return tickets from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) starting at $52. Grab your seat and get ready for takeoff. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving SAN on May 8 2025 and touching down at SFO. The price was last updated on April 23 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SAN to SFO?
The cheapest flights from SAN to SFO are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Enjoy a seamless journey to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). 4 carriers offer direct flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), including:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines

What is the cheapest airline that flies from SAN to SFO?
Travel from SAN to SFO with Alaska Airlines. This carrier currently offers the cheapest one-way fare on this route, starting from $29. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SAN on July 17 2025. Prices were last updated on April 23 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
With an average of 17 nonstop flights departing from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) daily, you’ll be on your way in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
The 7 PM departures from SAN to SFO are typically the busiest. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you’re looking to save, choose a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from SAN to SFO?
Jet off on a Sunday if you’re looking for the best choice of flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
What is the earliest flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Take the earliest flight at around 6:15AM UTC-8, leaving from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). You’ll be traveling for roughly 1h 45m, touching down at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) at approximately 8:00AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Typically, it takes 1 hour and 44 minutes to fly the 450 mi from SAN to SFO.
What airline has the least delays from SAN to SFO?
With 80% of journeys typically arriving on time, American Airlines has the best on-time performance for direct flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). To monitor your flight status and get notifications if anything changes, simply head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
To reach San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) on time, choose a flight that leaves San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Francisco from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Come in for landing at any of these San Francisco airports after your direct flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN):

  • San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)
  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC)
  • Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK)

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a flight from SAN to SFO often results in higher prices. While you may find some last-minute offers, they aren’t always guaranteed. Be flexible with your travel plans to boost your chances of getting a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SAN to SFO flight and hotel package?
You’ll typically save money by securing a SAN to SFO flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it’s simple to manage it all in one convenient place. Once you’ve chosen your preferred accommodations and flights, consider other add-ons like activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
If you reserved your SAN to SFO flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the ticket type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal if you’d like more information.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.