LAX - SAN

£36 Find Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to San Diego – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£165
Typical prices: £155-£261
Alaska Airlines
Sun 14/10Sun 14/10
LAX - SAN • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
£185
Typical prices: £158-£260
United Airlines
Tue 2/10Thu 4/10
LAX - SAN • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Delta and United Airlines. Average duration is 0h 59m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 91% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 6 weeks in advance save around 60% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 13% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £122 (return)
Shortest trip • 8h 01m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to San Diego (LAX-SAN)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Los Angeles to San Diego

Tue, 26 Jan - Tue, 26 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:35 - 13:30LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
5h 55m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
15:31 - 20:51SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
5h 20m1 stop San Jose
£161Alaska Airlines
Wed, 14 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Alaska Airlines Logo
09:12 - 13:28LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
4h 16m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:00 - 10:24SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
18h 24m1 stop San Francisco
£165Alaska Airlines
Tue, 26 Jan - Tue, 26 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:41 - 13:30LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
6h 49m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:16 - 22:52SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
6h 36m1 stop San Francisco
£176Alaska Airlines
Tue, 6 Oct - Tue, 6 Oct
Alaska Airlines Logo
09:12 - 13:28LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
4h 16m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:00 - 08:58SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
16h 58m1 stop San Francisco
£180Alaska Airlines
Fri, 2 Oct - Sun, 4 Oct
United Airlines Logo
19:12 - 20:08LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
0h 56mdirect
United Airlines Logo
17:00 - 18:03SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
1h 03mdirect
£185United Airlines
Tue, 26 Jan - Tue, 26 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:35 - 13:30LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
5h 55m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:16 - 22:52SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
6h 36m1 stop San Francisco
£191Alaska Airlines
Wed, 6 Jan - Sun, 10 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
13:31 - 20:30LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
6h 59m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:16 - 07:46SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
15h 30m1 stop San Francisco
£191Alaska Airlines
Fri, 6 Nov - Fri, 6 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
09:00 - 16:22LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
7h 22m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
22:10 - 10:18SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
12h 08m1 stop San Francisco
£192Alaska Airlines
Tue, 27 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Alaska Airlines Logo
09:12 - 18:29LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
9h 17m1 stop San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:55 - 14:56SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
4h 01m1 stop San Francisco
£195Alaska Airlines
Thu, 8 Oct - Sun, 11 Oct
Delta Logo
18:16 - 19:14LAX  Los Angeles-SAN San Diego
0h 58mdirect
Delta Logo
19:59 - 21:14SAN  San Diego-LAX Los Angeles
1h 15mdirect
£199Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Los Angeles to San Diego flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Los Angeles to San Diego with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Return flights from Los Angeles to San Diego start at £165. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from £155 to £261. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £165 on Alaska Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Los Angeles to San Diego and is 8% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 81% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to San Diego?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to San Diego at £166 return.
  • November (£269) and January (£251) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 61% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Los Angeles to San Diego the cheapest?

Flights from Los Angeles to San Diego are cheapest 6 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 60% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Los Angeles to San Diego flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

£36
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 31% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 7% lower on average.
Flights from Los Angeles to San Diego

When to book flights from Los Angeles to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Los Angeles to San Diego based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Los Angeles to San Diego flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Los Angeles to San Diego flights?

    Among airlines operating Los Angeles to San Diego flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Delta: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    2 airlines operate flights between Los Angeles and San Diego. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Delta
    • United Airlines

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    Flights from Los Angeles to San Diego usually depart from Los Angeles (LAX) and arrive at San Diego (SAN).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Los Angeles to San Diego flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Delta: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £122 return via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX), compared with £192 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £26–£67 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    The Embraer 175 (Enhanced Winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737-800 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Los Angeles to San Diego pass through?

    One-stop flights from Los Angeles to San Diego most commonly connect through:

    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) – 67% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) – 22% of one-stop connections
    • San Francisco (SFO) – 11% of one-stop connections

    Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 49% on the Los Angeles to San Diego route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at £177 return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at £346, a difference of £169. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Los Angeles to San Diego route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 44 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Los Angeles to San Diego spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Los Angeles to San Diego flights, with 29% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 29%, Evening flights for 28%, and Night flights for 14%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Diego?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Diego are San Diego Convention Center, SDSU Downtown Gallery, and La Jolla Cove. These are among the most viewed places in San Diego on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Los Angeles to San Diego:

    • Earliest: departs at 09:10 and lands at 10:09
    • Latest: departs at 22:50 and lands at 23:49.

    The flight takes about 0h 59m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Los Angeles to San Diego flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 55% above the route average of £191. Book 6 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    A direct flight from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 0h 59m, covering 109 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Los Angeles to San Diego changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about £176 to £708. That means the highest observed fare was about 4x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Los Angeles to San Diego looking right now?

    One-way fares from Los Angeles to San Diego are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £82, which is 54% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Los Angeles to San Diego flights?

    United Airlines is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Delta has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Los Angeles to San Diego flights are:

    • United Airlines: 91% on time
    • Delta: 88% on time
    • Alaska Airlines: 48% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 89% of the time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Los Angeles to San Diego?

    Flying via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 01m, compared to 9h 40m via San Francisco (SFO) and 16h 50m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX).

  • Which car hire options are available at San Diego Airport (SAN)?

    San Diego Airport (SAN) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £10 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Dollar
    • Payless
    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Los Angeles to San Diego flight?

    Return flights from Los Angeles to San Diego range from £155 to £261, with an average of £191 over the past 12 months. Anything below £155 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Los Angeles to San Diego flights?

    Delta is the only airline on the Los Angeles to San Diego route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking Los Angeles to San Diego flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average £177 – about £169 less than Monday (49% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 6 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 60% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Los Angeles to San Diego trip for February. Fares historically average £166 return in that month – typically £102 less than the most expensive month, which is November (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, United Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 91% of United Airlines flights from Los Angeles to San Diego arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 89%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour44 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport (PHX) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £122 return on this route – about £70 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to San Diego Airport.
    - Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy
    - Bay Club Hotel & Marina
    - Sheraton San Diego Resort

Prefer to fly direct from Los Angeles to San Diego?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Los Angeles to San Diego

Monday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Tuesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Wednesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Thursday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Friday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Saturday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Sunday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to Los Angeles

Monday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Tuesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Wednesday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Thursday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Friday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Saturday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

Sunday

Delta,United Airlines

Delta,United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Los Angeles to San Diego

Complete your trip to San Diego with a hotel stay or car hire