Cheap Flights from Salinas (SNC) to Santa Maria (SMX)

Flights from Salinas (SNC) to Santa Maria (SMX)
Origin airport
General Ulpiano Paez
Destination airport
Santa Maria Public
Distance
3618 mi

Salinas to Santa Maria Flights

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

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Salinas 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 Salinas 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 Salinas 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 Salinas 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 Salinas 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 General Ulpiano Paez Airport (SNC) to SMX last minute?
Being the spontaneous type is a fabulous way to travel the world, but it isn’t necessarily the best way to pick up a cheap plane ticket. It’s better to book your SNC to Santa Maria Airport journey in advance rather than waiting until the last minute. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the best time to book domestic flights is between 28 – 35 days ahead of the departure date, and international flights three to four months in advance. Leave all that spontaneity for when you reach Santa Maria Airport!
What airports do you fly into for Santa Maria from Salinas?
From Salinas, you can connect to Santa Maria via Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Be sure to check which terminal is right for you before making your decision. If you settle on Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), it’s roughly 4 mi south of the downtown area. Use the dough you save when booking your seat with Expedia to check out the city’s popular sights, such as Boomers! Santa Maria and Santa Maria Valley Historical Society.
Can I change the date of my flight from General Ulpiano Paez Airport to Santa Maria Airport?
It’s easy to make changes to your General Ulpiano Paez Airport to SMX trip yourself. Simply log in to the Expedia Trips portal and click on “change flight.” Look around for new flights and secure the one that better fits your plans. You’ll see an estimate of applicable flight change fees. Alternatively, use our Customer Service portal to chat to our Virtual Agent and quickly get answers to all your questions.

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*Available to One Key members.