Cheap Flights from Palo Alto (PAO) to San Diego (SAN)

Popular airlines from Palo Alto, CA (PAO-Santa Clara County) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)

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Flights from Palo Alto (PAO) to San Diego (SAN)
Origin airport
Santa Clara County
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Distance
428 mi

Palo Alto to San Diego Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto to San Diego are during the month of . You can find some of the cheapest flights from Palo Alto to San Diego with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Palo Alto to San Diego

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto to San Diego 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 much does a flight from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from PAO to SAN by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from PAO to SAN?
The cheapest flights from PAO to SAN 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 Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
You can’t fly directly from Palo Alto, CA (PAO-Santa Clara County) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). However, there are other airports that have nonstop flights. Start your journey at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) and head straight to San Diego without layovers.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from PAO to SAN?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from PAO to SAN. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Nonstop flights from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) aren’t available daily, so you’ll have to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with our filter tool. Enter your travel details and select either “1 Stop” or “2+ Stops.”
What day of the week has the most flights from PAO to SAN?
You’ll generally find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays are often the busiest.* However this can vary from season to season and during peak travel times or public holidays.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
To reach San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) on time, opt for a flight that leaves from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) before 3 PM. The chance 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.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from PAO to SAN are usually more expensive. For the best rates, start looking for flights well in advance. That said, if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you may score a cheap fare right before your journey.
Is it cheaper to book a PAO to SAN flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a PAO to SAN flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better yet, having everything in one easy place takes the hassle out of planning your trip. Simply pick your flights and choose from our extensive range of hotels, then personalize your trip with other add-ons like tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Santa Clara County Airport (PAO) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
If you reserved your PAO to SAN flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without fees. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you have, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal for further details.

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*Available to One Key members.