- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and naval history. One of the city's most visited cultural attractions.
Flights from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA depart on average 34 times per day, taking around 5h 38m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at $114 (€94) but you can travel from only $23 (€19) by bus.
There are 2 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 05:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest flight covers the 118 miles (191 km) distance in 58m. May is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 118 miles (191 km) |
Average flight duration 5h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $114 (€94) |
Flights per day 34 |
Direct flights 2 |
Fastest flight 58m |
First flight 5:05 AM |
Last flight 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 42 days |
Cheapest price
$344
Average price
$449
Fastest journey
58 m
Average duration
6 h 20 m
Flights per day
5
Distance
191 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around $449 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $344.
Of the 5 flights that leave Santa Monica, CA for San Diego, CA onFri, Jul 03, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 03 the direct flights cover the 191 km distance in an average of 6 h 20 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 58 m .
On Fri, Jul 03 the longest flights will take 16 h 17 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.










Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, and a flight costs an average of $114.
Distance: 118 miles (191 km)
| Flight | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$419 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $35 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 38m Average total duration 5h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $385 (€318) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $419 (€345).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 38m.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UA2446 · UA5507 | 5:00 AM Ontario International Airport | 8h10 | 1:10 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2647 · UA444 | 6:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 3h59 | 9:59 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2363 · UA444 | 6:00 AM Ontario International Airport | 3h59 | 9:59 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2363 · UA5510 | 6:00 AM Ontario International Airport | 5h02 | 11:02 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2027 · AA2477 | 6:19 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h28 | 11:47 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA513 · UA5507 | 6:45 AM John Wayne Airport | 6h25 | 1:10 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1604 · UA5510 | 7:00 AM John Wayne Airport | 4h02 | 11:02 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA488 · UA5510 | 7:02 AM Burbank | 4h00 | 11:02 AM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA488 · UA2177 | 7:02 AM Burbank | 4h49 | 11:51 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1466 · AA2466+ AA6425 | 8:10 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 10h08 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA3186 · AA559+ AA6425 | 8:10 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h24 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5460 · UA4715 · UA1257 | 8:15 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h53 | 2:08 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5460 · UA4715 · UA1147 | 8:15 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h52 | 4:07 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1006 · UA1799 · UA5508 | 8:20 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 12h07 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1006 · UA574 · UA1147 | 8:20 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h47 | 4:07 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA4643 | 9:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 1h08 | 10:08 AM San Diego International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UA1191 · UA1281 | 9:08 AM Burbank | 8h12 | 5:20 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1191 · UA1302 | 9:08 AM Burbank | 5h47 | 2:55 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2470+ AA3992 | 9:16 AM Burbank | 6h10 | 3:26 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2466+ AA3992 | 9:16 AM Burbank | 9h02 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA559+ AA3992 | 9:16 AM Burbank | 12h18 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5562 · UA1257 | 9:45 AM John Wayne Airport | 4h23 | 2:08 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1668 · AA2470 | 10:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h26 | 3:26 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1668 · AA2466 | 10:00 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h18 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2466+ AA6376 · AA4935 | 10:28 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h50 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA1378 · AA559+ AA6376 | 10:28 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h06 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA559+ AA6376 · AA6368 | 10:28 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h06 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2466+ AA6373 · AA6376 | 10:28 AM Los Angeles International Airport | 7h50 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA2039 · AA3186 · AA559 | 12:26 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h08 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2187 · UA5529 | 12:48 PM Burbank | 8h05 | 8:53 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2187 · UA540 | 12:48 PM Burbank | 7h58 | 8:46 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2132 · UA5529 | 1:08 PM John Wayne Airport | 7h45 | 8:53 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1994 · AA2466 | 1:10 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h08 | 6:18 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1994 · AA559 | 1:10 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 8h24 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2741 · UA1603 · UA2142 | 1:12 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h19 | 12:31 AM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2741 · UA1603 · UA1863 | 1:12 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 9h37 | 10:49 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA2741 · UA2841 · UA2142 | 1:12 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h19 | 12:31 AM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA1263 · UA5529 | 1:18 PM Ontario International Airport | 7h35 | 8:53 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1453 · UA5508 | 1:45 PM Burbank | 6h42 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1375 · UA5508 | 1:50 PM Ontario International Airport | 6h37 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2823 · UA5508 | 2:47 PM John Wayne Airport | 5h40 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA1378 · AA559+ AA6372 | 3:39 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 5h55 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
UA5351 · UA5508 | 4:12 PM John Wayne Airport | 4h15 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA357 · UA5508 | 4:13 PM Burbank | 4h14 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA357 · UA1343 | 4:13 PM Burbank | 4h40 | 8:53 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA2019 · UA5508 | 4:14 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 4h13 | 8:27 PM McClellan–Palomar Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2032 · AA559 | 4:39 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 4h55 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA6415+ AA559 | 4:42 PM Burbank | 4h52 | 9:34 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2567+ AA7421 | 5:52 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h52 | 7:44 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2461+ AA4944 | 6:38 PM Burbank | 14h13 | 8:51 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA1508 · UA1863 | 6:42 PM Burbank | 4h07 | 10:49 PM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
UA5415 | 6:50 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 1h01 | 7:51 PM San Diego International Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 3 | |||||
![]() | 1:50 AM Santa Monica, CA | 0h58 | 2:48 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:14 AM Santa Monica, CA | 0h58 | 3:12 AM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 2 | |||||
AA2622 · AA2461+ AA6315 | 7:25 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h26 | 8:51 AM San Diego International Airport | 2 transfers | |
AA1362 · AA2461 | 7:32 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 13h19 | 8:51 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 3 | |||||
![]() | 2:40 AM Santa Monica, CA | 16h17 | 6:57 PM San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, July 2 | |||||
UA1195 · UA2142 | 8:10 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 4h21 | 12:31 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA6260+ AA9306 | 8:38 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 12h57 | 9:35 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA7421+ AA6260 | 8:38 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 11h06 | 7:44 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
AA2293 · AA2461 | 8:41 PM Los Angeles International Airport | 12h10 | 8:51 AM San Diego International Airport | 1 transfer | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and flight 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.
Discover the best of San Diego — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego trip today.
A large aircraft carrier museum on the waterfront with restored aircraft, flight deck exhibits, and naval history. One of the city's most visited cultural attractions.
Balboa Park's flagship art museum, known for European old masters, South Asian art, and major rotating exhibitions in a landmark Spanish Colonial building.
Contemporary art museum with a major La Jolla campus and strong collection of postwar and current works, plus ocean-view architecture and installations.
San Diego's signature urban park, filled with gardens, plazas, museums, and Spanish Colonial architecture. It is one of the city's essential places to explore.
A scenic coastal area known for sea lions, turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, and some of the most photographed ocean views in San Diego.
A popular waterfront walking area with bay views, promenades, and public spaces near downtown, especially appealing at sunset and on casual strolls.
Baja-style fish tacos are a San Diego staple, usually made with battered or grilled local fish, cabbage, crema, and salsa in a corn tortilla.
A classic San Diego burrito filled with carne asada, fries, cheese, and salsa, reflecting the city’s Mexican borderland food culture.
A beloved local late-night dish of fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
An iconic casual spot in Barrio Logan known for house-made tortillas, rice, beans, and traditional Mexican plates with a no-frills atmosphere.
A long-running waterfront seafood market and eatery loved for fresh fish sandwiches, chowder, and a classic San Diego harbor setting.
A popular casual restaurant serving upscale fried chicken, sandwiches, and local beers in a lively indoor-outdoor setting.
San Diego is pricey by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining near beaches and downtown.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Monica, CA to San Diego, CA flights use the Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego International Airport airport pair, with some services landing at McClellan-Palomar Airport. Use this guide to compare Santa Monica, CA and San Diego, CA airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
San Diego International Airport is 4 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: Restaurants in terminals 1 and 2, including fast food and sit-down options like The Counter and Phil's BBQ
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in all terminals.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at San Diego International Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at San Diego International Airport: Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Diego International Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotels nearby, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Mari within walking distance..
McClellan-Palomar Airport has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at McClellan-Palomar Airport: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need