Los Angeles International to San Diego International
109 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 37m with 8 airlines operating direct service from Los Angeles International (LAX) to San Diego International (SAN). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $80 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $80). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from Los Angeles International
Los Angeles International spreads across nine terminals arranged in a U around the central hub, with the inter-terminal LAX-it shuttle and the new Automated People Mover (opening late 2026) connecting them. Metro Rail does not yet enter the airport directly — the K Line shuttle and FlyAway bus to Union Station are the rail-adjacent options. American, Delta, United, Southwest and Alaska all run major operations here; international long-haul fills T2 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International is 3 miles from downtown San Diego — the second most central US airport after BOS. MTS Route 992 runs from the terminals directly to downtown San Diego in 15 minutes for $2.50. Fares from US East Coast cities peak around Comic-Con (mid-July) and the San Diego Padres' major series; September–November is consistently the cheapest window with the best weather.
Who flies LAX to SAN?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| American Airlines | AA | 37m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 37m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 37m | Economy |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 37m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 37m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 37m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 37m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 37m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly LAX→SAN
Synthesised from 12-month price aggregates. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Estimated baseline. Prices update on a 30-day cadence as Travelpayouts data refreshes. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
Los Angeles to San Diego FAQs
Direct flights from Los Angeles International (LAX) to San Diego International (SAN) take approximately 37m for the 109-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $74. Jun is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
8 carriers operate direct service from Los Angeles International (LAX) to San Diego International (SAN): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — American Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.
San Diego International (SAN) is the primary international airport for San Diego. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.