Cheap Flights from Columbia (COU) to Santa Maria (SMX)

Popular airlines from Columbia, MO (COU-Columbia Regional) to Santa Maria, CA (SMX-Santa Maria Public)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.
Flights from Columbia (COU) to Santa Maria (SMX)
Origin airport
Columbia Regional
Destination airport
Santa Maria Public
Distance
1577 mi

Columbia to Santa Maria Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Columbia to Santa Maria

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 Columbia to Santa Maria are during the month of . You can find some of the cheapest flights from Columbia to Santa Maria with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Columbia to Santa Maria

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Columbia to Santa Maria: 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 Columbia to Santa Maria

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 Columbia to Santa Maria in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from 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 Columbia to Santa Maria 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 Columbia to Santa Maria 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

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from COU to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) last minute?
Booking your flight from COU to SMX at the last minute could help you save if you get lucky and find a real bargain. However, tickets generally don’t get cheaper as the date of departure nears. If you wait, flights could also be booked out or the best seats taken (we hope you like the middle seat!). If you’d rather err on the side of caution, book well ahead of your departure date. Don’t forget that some of the biggest bargains can be found up to 12 months in advance. If your preferred carrier hasn’t released tickets yet, check back regularly as deals are updated on Expedia all the time.
What airports do you fly into for Santa Maria from Columbia?
From Columbia, you can travel to Santa Maria via Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Determine which airport is more convenient for you before making your decision. If you decide on Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), it’s approximately 4 mi south of downtown. Use the dollars you save when booking your airfare with Expedia to visit the city’s top sights, such as Boomers! Santa Maria and Santa Maria Valley Historical Society.
Can I change the date of my flight from Columbia Regional Airport to Santa Maria Airport?
Plans can change, so Expedia is here to help make amending your flight as easy as possible. To start, access your COU to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and read the fare conditions to see if change fees apply. If you booked your fare in the last 24 hours, some airlines will let you cancel at no cost and organize new flights. If you booked your fare more than 24 hours ago, connect with us via our Customer Service portal to find out your options.

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