$47 Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Sacramento to San Diego (SMF-SAN)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $47 for one-way flights and $94 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
United
Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to San Diego (SAN)
Origin airport
Sacramento Intl.
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$94
Distance
479 mi

Sacramento to San Diego Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Sacramento to San Diego

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 Sacramento to San Diego are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Sacramento to San Diego with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sacramento to San Diego: 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 Sacramento to San Diego

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 Sacramento to San Diego in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $47 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 Sacramento to San Diego 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 Sacramento to San Diego 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 long does it take to fly from SMF to SAN?
Alaska Airlines operates a direct flight taking off from SMF at 8:05PM and coming in to land at San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) at 9:37PM — a total flight time of 1 hour and 32 minutes. Lock in your preferred seat, bring some things to keep you occupied and the time will whiz by.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) last minute?
Booking your flight from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Airport at the last minute could save you some dough if you happen to find a real bargain. However, tickets typically don’t come down in price as the departure date nears. If you wait around, flights could also be booked up or the best seats taken (don’t get stuck in the middle!). If you’d rather not take any chances, book well in advance of the date you want to leave. It’s worth noting that some of the best deals can be found up to 12 months in advance. If your favorite carrier hasn’t released its airfares yet, check back regularly as deals are updated on Expedia constantly.
What airline has the least delays from Sacramento Airport to SAN?
Travel with Alaska Airlines from Sacramento Airport to SAN and you’re more likely to land at the time listed on your boarding pass. This carrier tops the list on this route, with an on-time score of 80%. If there is a delay to your flight, the free Expedia App will help you stay in the loop. Our helpful app will give you real-time trip alerts, from flight delays to gate changes and the carousel number to collect your luggage.
What airports do you fly into for San Diego from Sacramento?
San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) and San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field) are your options when flying from Sacramento to San Diego. Around 2 mi northwest of downtown San Diego, San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) is the city’s major hub. Think about things like flight schedules and the distance to your hotel before picking your airport. San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are two excellent attractions to put on your itinerary when you reach your destination.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Sacramento Airport to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
For Spirit Airlines flights jetting out from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN), the busiest time is between 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM. If you want to avoid any holdups, head off in the morning. This way you can escape the air traffic that builds up around airports in the afternoon.
Can I change the date of my flight from SMF to San Diego Airport?
Plans can get upended, so Expedia is here to help make things easier. To start, find your SMF to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and browse the fare conditions and rules regarding changes. If you booked your airfare in the last 24 hours, some carriers will let you cancel at no cost and organize new flights. If you booked your fare more than 24 hours ago, contact us through our Customer Service portal to find out what your options are.

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