Cheap Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Santa Maria (SMX)

Popular airlines from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria, CA (SMX-Santa Maria Public)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.
Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Santa Maria (SMX)
Origin airport
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport
Santa Maria Public
Distance
239 mi

San Diego to Santa Maria Flights

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

The best time to book a flight from San Diego to Santa Maria

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

How much does a flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from SAN to SMX 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 SAN to SMX?
The cheapest flights from SAN to SMX are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SAN to SMX?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from SAN to SMX. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)?
Direct flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) aren’t available daily, so you’ll need to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia’s filter tool. Enter your travel details and choose either “1 Stop” or “2+ Stops.”
What day of the week has the most flights from SAN to SMX?
You’ll generally find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays tend to be the busiest.* However this can change from season to season and during public holidays or peak travel times.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)?
Choose a flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations. Departures after this hour have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**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 Santa Maria from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
If you’re taking a direct flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your trip to book your flight from SAN to SMX often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute discounts, they’re not always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for a better chance of scoring a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SAN to SMX flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a SAN to SMX flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. What’s more, managing everything in one place will take the hassle out of travel planning. Simply secure your flights and select from our extensive range of stays, then customize your trip with other add-ons like tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)?
In most cases, you’re able to cancel or reschedule your SAN to SMX flight. However, additional fees may apply, especially if you made your booking over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline’s fees and rules on flight changes, or if you want more details, visit our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.