SAN - SFO

£38 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Diego to San Francisco departing on 25/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to San Francisco, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to San Francisco, as well as popular online travel agencies
Travellers love KAYAK
41,299,237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

Save 27% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track pricesNot ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Bundle and saveSave money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
£84
Typical prices: £58-£155
Southwest
Tue 7/4Tue 14/4
SAN - SFO • Direct
Cheapest direct flights
£88
Typical prices: £59-£150
Southwest
Sat 18/4Sun 19/4
SAN - SFO • Direct
Advice from real travellers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts and KAYAK users. AI can make mistakes.
United's Economy Plus seats offer extra legroom.
Lufthansa's Economy Light saves costs on short trips.
Expert advice
Expert advice
+1
+1
Expert advice
Expert advice
+1
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines, Frontier, and others. Average duration is 1h 46m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 84% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 44% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 28% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from San Diego to San Francisco that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from San Diego to San Francisco

Tue, 7 Apr - Tue, 14 Apr
Southwest Logo
20:20 - 22:05
SAN
-
SFO
1h 45mdirect
Southwest Logo
07:20 - 14:20
SFO
-
SAN
7h 00m
2 stops
£84Southwest
Thu, 16 Apr - Sun, 19 Apr
Frontier Logo
09:19 - 11:11
SAN
-
SFO
1h 52mdirect
Frontier Logo
06:00 - 08:34
SFO
-
SAN
26h 34m
1 stop
£86Frontier
Sat, 18 Apr - Sun, 19 Apr
Southwest Logo
17:15 - 18:55
SAN
-
SFO
1h 40mdirect
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 07:35
SFO
-
SAN
1h 35mdirect
£88Southwest
Wed, 8 Apr - Wed, 15 Apr
Southwest Logo
06:30 - 08:15
SAN
-
SFO
1h 45mdirect
Southwest Logo
06:20 - 17:45
SFO
-
SAN
11h 25m
2 stops
£88Southwest
Wed, 15 Apr - Wed, 22 Apr
Southwest Logo
08:40 - 15:20
SAN
-
SFO
6h 40m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
05:55 - 12:40
SFO
-
SAN
6h 45m
2 stops
£89Southwest
Fri, 24 Apr - Fri, 1 May
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:19 - 11:11
SAN
-
SFO
1h 52mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:52 - 18:34
SFO
-
SAN
1h 42mdirect
£91Multiple Airlines
Tue, 7 Apr - Wed, 8 Apr
Southwest Logo
16:25 - 22:45
SAN
-
SFO
6h 20m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
07:20 - 14:20
SFO
-
SAN
7h 00m
2 stops
£91Southwest
Wed, 22 Apr - Sun, 26 Apr
Southwest Logo
13:00 - 19:55
SAN
-
SFO
6h 55m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
09:10 - 10:55
SFO
-
SAN
1h 45mdirect
£93Southwest
Sat, 16 May - Mon, 18 May
Southwest Logo
08:35 - 18:35
SAN
-
SFO
10h 00m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 07:35
SFO
-
SAN
1h 35mdirect
£94Southwest
Sat, 18 Apr - Sun, 19 Apr
Southwest Logo
07:15 - 11:50
SAN
-
SFO
4h 35m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 07:35
SFO
-
SAN
1h 35mdirect
£95Southwest
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Diego to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from San Diego to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a return flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

This analysis is based on the cheapest return trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from San Diego to San Francisco departing in April.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from San Diego to San Francisco is May, where tickets cost £88 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are February and November, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is £172 and £159 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from San Diego to San Francisco?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a stopover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop stopover the cheapest option at £58 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from San Diego to San Francisco, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 44% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 10 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or out at sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on Lufthansa

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has travelled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from San Diego to San Francisco

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight£38
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 41% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 29% lower on average.
Flight from San Diego to San Francisco

When to book flights from San Diego to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Diego to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from San Diego to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from San Diego to San Francisco 
LindseyFlew with SWISS
SAN
-
SFO
Dec 2025
Ready for weather delays of wind in SFO, which happens often. Keep that in consideration when planning an additional leg of a trip after it from SFO.
VyomaFlew with Alaska Airlines
SAN
-
SFO
Jun 2024
Be sure to read the signs, i have heard it's confusing for connecting flights if you don't follow the directions.

FAQs for booking flights from San Diego to San Francisco

  • Is long-term parking possible at San Diego airport and where do I find it?

    The airport features a long-term parking lot, which can be found on Harbor Drive. Here you can leave your car during your time in San Francisco and have it waiting upon your return. The daily rate for a car spot is approximately $20 and the airport can be conveniently reached with the complimentary airport shuttle, which departs from the lot.

  • How can I reach downtown San Francisco from the San Francisco airport?

    The quickest and most convenient way from the airport to the center of San Francisco is by train. The yellow BART train service departs from the airport station and stops at various places in the city. The ride takes about half an hour and costs approximately $9. The SamTrans Bus Service is a cheaper alternative. Routes KX and 292 depart from the airport and stop in downtown San Francisco as well. Tickets are considerably cheaper, at just $2.50, and the travel time is also approximately half an hour. However, traffic can delay the ride considerably.

  • Is there a hotel close to San Francisco airport?

    Whether you have an early flight or late arrival, a nearby hotel can be a convenient option. The Grand Hyatt at SFO is only 3mi from the airport and offers a 24h reception desk service. Alternatively, the Days Inn by Wyndham is equally close to the airport and offers a complimentary airport shuttle.

  • How far is Fisherman’s Wharf from the San Francisco airport?

    The popular tourist district of Fisherman’s Wharf lies on the other side of San Francisco, almost 16mi north of the airport. With a car, you can be there in about half an hour. The yellow BART line goes as far as Montgomery, from where you can board a bus to the Wharf.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Diego to San Francisco was £38 for a one-way ticket and £84 for a return.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Diego to San Francisco?

    All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Diego to San Francisco flight route: Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Delta, and United Airlines.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Diego to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Diego to San Francisco flight route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from San Diego to San Francisco?

    There are direct flights from San Diego to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Diego to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Diego to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from San Diego is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to San Diego with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from San Diego up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Diego to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego? 25% of our users found flights on this route for £21 or less one-way.
  • If you’ve booked a flight from San Diego to San Francisco with United Airlines, you can benefit from the airline’s lounge at San Diego Airport (SAN). Located in the mezzanine level of Terminal 2 after the security check, the lounge spoils passengers with beverages, snacks and a calm work environment. Pass holders and Business Class flyers gain access for free, but any other passenger of this airline can also enter by paying around $59 at the door.
  • How about a relaxing massage before boarding your flight from San Diego to San Francisco? The Be Relax Spa is situated in Terminal 2 of the San Diego airport and offers a wide array of massages and beauty treatments for the perfect start of your journey.
  • Who wouldn’t like a dog to see them off at the airport? San Diego airport is especially popular for its Ready Pet Go service. Various canines roam the airport building and welcome or see off passengers with wagging tails and happy demeanors. These specially trained dogs can be petted and are a delight for passengers young and old.
  • Explore San Francisco according to your own terms and rent a car for your time in the city. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has its own car rental center that can be conveniently reached with the AirTrain, which connects all terminals and the center. Here you will find various companies like Avis, Hertz, and National.
  • Should your stomach already rumble after your arrival in San Francisco, you can benefit from the selection of restaurants in the airport’s Food Court, situated in the main terminal hall. Here you’ll find American cuisine in eateries like Potrero Grill as well as international dishes in Koi Palace or 24th & Mission Taco House.

Prefer to fly direct from San Diego to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from San Diego to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from San Diego Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Diego to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to San Diego

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Southwest,United Airlines, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Southwest, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports