San Diego International to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz
1110 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 2h 38m with 8 airlines operating direct service from San Diego International (SAN) to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR). Cheapest fares are usually in January (around $169 return), with peak prices in August (around $507). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from San Diego International
San Diego International is the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States, sitting 3 miles from downtown San Diego. MTS Route 992 runs from the terminals directly to downtown in around 15 minutes for $2.50; the future Trolley extension (planned 2027) will provide direct light rail. Southwest and Alaska have the largest schedules; American, Delta and United add full-service capacity. Limited international long-haul — British Airways and Lufthansa serve London and Frankfurt direct.
Arriving in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta's Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Airport is 7 km north of central Puerto Vallarta. Public buses run from the highway 200 m from the terminal for 13 MXN; resort shuttles cost $15–$30. Fares from the US Pacific coast peak in winter (January–March) when American snowbirds drive demand; September and October are the cheapest months and weather is increasingly favourable as the rainy season ends.
Who flies SAN to PVR?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 2h 38m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 2h 38m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 2h 38m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 2h 38m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 2h 38m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 2h 38m | Economy |
| Frontier Airlines | F9 | 2h 38m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 2h 38m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly SAN→PVR
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.
San Diego to Puerto Vallarta FAQs
Direct flights from San Diego International (SAN) to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR) take approximately 2h 38m for the 1110-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.
January is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $169. August 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 San Diego International (SAN) to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR): Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Southwest Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No visa required for US passport holders for stays up to 180 days. FMM tourist card included with airfare and issued at arrival. Always check travel.state.gov for the latest entry requirements before booking.
Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR) is the primary international airport for Puerto Vallarta. 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.