Journey information
Overview: San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA flight
Flights from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA depart on average 36 times per day, taking around 5h 45m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at $125 (€103) but you can travel from only $22 (€18) by bus.
There are 2 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 05:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest flight covers the 118 miles (191 km) distance in 1h 2m. July is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 118 miles (191 km) |
Average flight duration 5h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $125 (€103) |
Flights per day 36 |
Direct flights 2 |
Fastest flight 1h 2m |
First flight 5:00 AM |
Last flight 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
The cheapest and fastest flights from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Cheapest price
$164
Average price
$371
Fastest journey
1 h 4 m
Average duration
3 h 40 m
Flights per day
7
Distance
191 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA will cost around $371 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $164.
Of the 7 flights that leave San Diego, CA for Santa Monica, CA onSat, Jul 04, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 04 the direct flights cover the 191 km distance in an average of 3 h 40 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 1 h 4 m .
On Sat, Jul 04 the longest flights will take 13 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
3:30 AM13h50San Diego, CA5:20 PMSanta Monica, CA$1641One-way0 transfers
6:03 PM1h10San Diego, CA7:13 PMSanta Monica, CA$2461One-way0 transfers
1:15 PM1h04San Diego, CA2:19 PMSanta Monica, CA$3101One-way0 transfers
11:32 PM16h04San Diego, CA3:36 PMSanta Monica, CA$4351One-way0 transfers
11:55 PM15h33San Diego, CA3:28 PMSanta Monica, CA$4391One-way0 transfers
2:15 PM1h04San Diego, CA3:19 PMSanta Monica, CA$4941One-way0 transfers
1:15 PM1h04San Diego, CA2:19 PMSanta Monica, CA$3101One-way0 transfers
6:03 PM1h10San Diego, CA7:13 PMSanta Monica, CA$2461One-way0 transfers
6:01 PM1h10San Diego, CA7:11 PMSanta Monica, CA$5081One-way0 transfers
3:30 AM13h50San Diego, CA5:20 PMSanta Monica, CA$1641One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $22. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 22m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $22, and a flight costs an average of $125.
Distance: 118 miles (191 km)
Compare flight with
| Flight | Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$400 Average price | $32 Average price Cheapest | $49 Average price | $35 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 45m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 52m Average total duration Fastest 3h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration 4h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 21m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA:
A bus is $17 (€14) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA costing on average $49 (€40).
A bus is $368 (€304) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA costing on average $400 (€330).
Other travel options to Santa Monica, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 38m.
Flight takes on average 5h 45m.
Live departures
San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA flight times
The table below shows live departures for San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA flights for today, Thursday, July 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AA625 · AA2368 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 9h59 | 4:19 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA625 · AA2869 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 5h46 | 12:06 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2830 · UA1896 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 4h14 | 10:34 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA625 · AA2037 · AA2039 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 9h34 | 3:54 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA625 · AA2930 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 12h00 | 6:20 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA625+ AA6415 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 9h51 | 4:11 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA625+ AA4944 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 11h47 | 6:07 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA1006 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 1h01 | 7:21 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
AA625+ AA6367 · AA6376 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 7h55 | 2:15 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA625 · AA2023+ AA4946 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 13h03 | 7:23 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA625+ AA6369 · AA6376 | 6:20 AM San Diego International Airport | 7h55 | 2:15 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2368 · UA2154 | 6:35 AM San Diego International Airport | 6h13 | 12:48 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA2274 · UA2115 | 7:15 AM San Diego International Airport | 4h34 | 11:49 AM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5519 · UA643 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 4h08 | 12:06 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5519 · UA2115 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 3h51 | 11:49 AM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5519 · UA571 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 5h47 | 1:45 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5519 · UA2367 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 3h59 | 11:57 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5519 · UA611 · UA2184 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 7h37 | 3:35 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5519 · UA2661 | 7:58 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 4h14 | 12:12 PM Ontario International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5520 · UA1707 | 8:50 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 6h07 | 2:57 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5520 · UA2657 | 8:50 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 8h40 | 5:30 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1113 · UA571 | 9:26 AM San Diego International Airport | 4h19 | 1:45 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2461 · AA2023 · AA1399 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 11h00 | 8:41 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2461 · AA3204 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 12h26 | 10:07 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2461 · AA2368 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 6h38 | 4:19 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2461 · AA2930 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 8h39 | 6:20 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2461 · AA2023+ AA4946 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 9h42 | 7:23 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2461+ AA4944 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 8h26 | 6:07 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA2461+ AA6415 | 9:41 AM San Diego International Airport | 6h30 | 4:11 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5384 | 10:49 AM San Diego International Airport | 1h09 | 11:58 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA2309 · UA626 | 11:01 AM San Diego International Airport | 4h16 | 3:17 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA2428 · UA5652 · UA5759 | 11:55 AM San Diego International Airport | 7h37 | 7:32 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1565 · UA2411 | 12:33 PM San Diego International Airport | 8h10 | 8:43 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5515 · UA2028 | 12:42 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 8h01 | 8:43 PM Ontario International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5515 · UA1704 | 12:42 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 7h58 | 8:40 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5515 · UA2411 | 12:42 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 8h01 | 8:43 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA2477 · AA2368 | 12:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 3h33 | 4:19 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2477 · AA3204 | 12:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 9h21 | 10:07 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2477+ AA4944 | 12:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 5h21 | 6:07 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA2477+ AA6415 | 12:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 3h25 | 4:11 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA2477 · AA2930 | 12:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 5h34 | 6:20 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1763 · UA5613 | 1:39 PM San Diego International Airport | 4h15 | 5:54 PM Ontario International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1763 · UA5652 · UA5759 | 1:39 PM San Diego International Airport | 5h53 | 7:32 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1763 · UA2764 | 1:39 PM San Diego International Airport | 4h03 | 5:42 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA5650 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 4h28 | 6:22 PM John Wayne Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA1613 · UA5908 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 6h36 | 8:30 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5599 · UA5652 · UA5759 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 5h38 | 7:32 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5599 · UA2764 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 3h48 | 5:42 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA5613 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 4h00 | 5:54 PM Ontario International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA1321 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 5h26 | 7:20 PM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA1427 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 6h35 | 8:29 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5599 · UA1754 | 1:54 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 4h11 | 6:05 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2117 · UA1427 | 4:09 PM San Diego International Airport | 4h20 | 8:29 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2470 · AA3204 | 4:23 PM San Diego International Airport | 5h44 | 10:07 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2470+ AA6370 · AA6393 | 4:23 PM San Diego International Airport | 15h23 | 7:46 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2470 · AA2635+ AA6393 | 4:23 PM San Diego International Airport | 15h23 | 7:46 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
SY408 · SY421 | 5:42 PM San Diego International Airport | 14h19 | 8:01 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1302 · UA2850 | 6:27 PM San Diego International Airport | 4h10 | 10:37 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1302 · UA552 | 6:27 PM San Diego International Airport | 4h10 | 10:37 PM Ontario International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA6294+ AA9382 | 6:31 PM San Diego International Airport | 13h10 | 7:41 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2466 · AA1668 | 7:15 PM San Diego International Airport | 13h34 | 8:49 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2466 · AA2635+ AA6393 | 7:15 PM San Diego International Airport | 12h31 | 7:46 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2466+ AA3992 | 7:15 PM San Diego International Airport | 13h30 | 8:45 AM Burbank | 1 transfer | |
AA2466 · AA1892 | 7:15 PM San Diego International Airport | 14h19 | 9:34 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 3 | |||||
![]() | 3:30 AM San Diego, CA | 13h50 | 5:20 PM Santa Monica, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA5636 | 8:32 PM San Diego International Airport | 1h13 | 9:45 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
AA6294+ AA9319 | 9:27 PM San Diego International Airport | 10h14 | 7:41 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA6428+ AA9319 | 9:27 PM San Diego International Airport | 14h22 | 11:49 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA6265+ AA9405 | 9:47 PM San Diego International Airport | 10h54 | 8:41 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1 transfer | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Jul 03
Jul 04
Jul 05
Jul 06
Jul 07
Jul 08
Jul 09
FAQs: San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA Flight
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Santa Monica, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Santa Monica Pier Twilight Concerts, a series of free outdoor concerts featuring diverse musical acts on the iconic pier
- Santa Monica Farmers Market, a vibrant weekly market showcasing local produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment
- Santa Monica Film Festival, an annual celebration of independent films with screenings, panels, and networking opportunities.
- Santa Monica Pier, an iconic landmark featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean
- Third Street Promenade, a bustling pedestrian street known for shopping, dining, and street performances
- Santa Monica State Beach, a popular beach offering sunbathing, swimming, and beach volleyball
- Palisades Park, a picturesque park with walking paths, ocean views, and public art installations
- Tongva Park, a modern urban park with unique landscaping, play areas, and art installations.
- Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer with vibrant beach activities and events
- Independence Day, spectacular fireworks over the ocean and festive celebrations
- Labor Day, a lively atmosphere with warm weather perfect for beach outings.
- Pacific Park, a family-friendly amusement park located on the Santa Monica Pier with rides and games
- Santa Monica Farmers Market, a vibrant market offering fresh produce, local goods, and live music
- Heal the Bay Aquarium, an educational marine center located under the Santa Monica Pier
- Bike along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, a scenic coastal path perfect for cycling enthusiasts
- Enjoy a sunset yoga session on Santa Monica Beach, offering a serene experience with ocean views.
popular airports
Popular airports from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Most San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA flights use the San Diego International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport airport pair. Use this guide to compare San Diego, CA and Santa Monica, CA airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
Which San Diego, CA airport do flights to Santa Monica, CA leave from?
Getting to San Diego International Airport from San Diego city centre
San Diego International Airport is 4 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
San Diego International Airport airport facilities and services
San Diego International Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, and Car Rental.
Food and drink
Food options include: Restaurants in terminals 1 and 2, including fast food and sit-down options like The Counter and Phil's BBQ
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in all terminals.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at San Diego International Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at San Diego International Airport: Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at San Diego International Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hotels nearby, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Mari within walking distance..
Getting to McClellan-Palomar Airport from San Diego city centre
McClellan-Palomar Airport airport facilities and services
McClellan-Palomar Airport has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at McClellan-Palomar Airport: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
More options for your journey from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need




