SAN - SFO

C$ 83 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
C$ 145
Typical prices: C$ 172-C$ 371
Frontier
Mon 26/11Mon 3/12
SAN - SFO • Direct
Cheapest direct flights
C$ 157
Typical prices: C$ 171-C$ 370
Alaska Airlines
Mon 19/11Mon 19/11
SAN - SFO • Direct
Advice from real travellers
At SFO, wind delays are common; leave buffer time for plans after landing.
Follow airport signs closely at SFO, especially if changing terminals.
Expert advice
+1
Expert advice
+1
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, Southwest, and others. Average duration is 1h 46m.
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 76% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 10 weeks in advance save around 54% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 28% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg C$ 348 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 3h 56m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

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

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to San Francisco

Thu, 26 Nov - Thu, 3 Dec
Frontier Logo
4:29 p.m. - 6:16 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 47mdirect
Frontier Logo
6:30 p.m. - 8:10 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
13h 40m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
C$ 145Frontier
1 day ago
Thu, 19 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:10 a.m. - 8:52 a.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 42mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:05 a.m. - 11:43 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 38mdirect
C$ 157Alaska Airlines
2 days ago
Sat, 21 Nov - Sat, 21 Nov
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:08 a.m. - 8:52 a.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 44mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:29 p.m. - 9:08 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 39mdirect
C$ 164Alaska Airlines
9 hours ago
Fri, 19 Feb - Mon, 22 Feb
Southwest Logo
6:40 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 40mdirect
Southwest Logo
7:35 p.m. - 11:05 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
3h 30m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
C$ 172Southwest
3+ days ago
Fri, 18 Dec - Mon, 28 Dec
Southwest Logo
7:40 p.m. - 11:55 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
4h 15m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Southwest Logo
10:30 p.m. - 12:15 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 45mdirect
C$ 178Southwest
1 day ago
Fri, 1 Jan - Fri, 8 Jan
Southwest Logo
2:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 45mdirect
Southwest Logo
8:40 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
6h 55m2 stops Los Angeles San Jose
C$ 185Southwest
2 days ago
Sat, 21 Nov - Tue, 24 Nov
Southwest Logo
10:50 p.m. - 7:50 a.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
9h 00m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
6:45 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 35mdirect
C$ 186Southwest
1 day ago
Fri, 20 Nov - Sun, 22 Nov
United Airlines Logo
12:37 p.m. - 2:24 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 47mdirect
United Airlines Logo
6:55 p.m. - 8:37 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 42mdirect
C$ 192United Airlines
1 day ago
Fri, 19 Feb - Mon, 22 Feb
Southwest Logo
10:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
6h 15m2 stops San Jose Los Angeles
Southwest Logo
7:35 p.m. - 11:05 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
3h 30m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
C$ 193Southwest
3+ days ago
Sat, 5 Dec - Wed, 9 Dec
Southwest Logo
12:25 p.m. - 6:35 p.m.SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
6h 10m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Los Angeles
Southwest Logo
7:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
4h 20m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
C$ 199Southwest
12 hours ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Diego to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

Round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco typically range from C$ 172 to C$ 371. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was C$ 145, on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to San Francisco?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to San Francisco. It's 7% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 21% higher.

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

•October is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to San Francisco at C$ 182 round-trip.
•March (C$ 312) and June (C$ 298) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 71% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Diego to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from San Diego to San Francisco are cheapest 10 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 54% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on Air Canada and 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 on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Key details for San Diego to San Francisco flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

C$ 83
Beat the crowds with an average 20% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 40% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way 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 round-trip price

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 
RobertFlew with Southwest-Oct 2026
Be ready for delays. San Diego is down to one runway, and San Francisco is down one air traffic controller, both because of construction.
ClaudiaFlew with United Airlines-Jun 2026
Please be careful: 1,5 hrs for transfer in San Francisco might not be enough time in the future
LindseyFlew with SWISS-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-Jun 2024
Be sure to read the signs, i have heard it's confusing for connecting flights if you don't follow the directions.

Your San Diego to San Francisco flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Diego to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:15 am and lands at 8:01 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:40 pm and lands at 12:26 am.

    The flight takes about 1h 46m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Only Economy Class is available on flights from San Diego to San Francisco.

  • How long does a flight from San Diego to San Francisco take?

    A direct flight from San Diego to San Francisco takes 1h 46m, covering 1,156 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Diego to San Francisco?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driver's licence.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Diego to San Francisco flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco range from C$ 172 to C$ 371, with an average of C$ 251 over the past 12 months. Anything below C$ 172 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Diego to San Francisco flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 55% above the C$ 251 route average. Book 10 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Diego to San Francisco?

    On this route, direct flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Direct fares average C$ 249 round-trip, compared to C$ 348 via a layover through Denver Intl (DEN).

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from San Diego to San Francisco?

    United Airlines is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Alaska Airlines has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on San Diego to San Francisco flights are:

    • United Airlines: 76% on time
    • Alaska Airlines: 66% on time
    • Southwest: 61% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 68% of the time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge C$ 56–C$ 140 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Southwest and United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) variants.

  • How are flight departures from San Diego to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Diego to San Francisco flights, with 39% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 33%, Evening flights for 28%, and Night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from San Diego to San Francisco changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about C$ 145 to C$ 1,179. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on San Diego to San Francisco flights?

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on San Diego to San Francisco flights:

    • Alaska Airlines
    • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

  • How are flight prices from San Diego to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Diego to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about C$ 107, which is 49% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging C$ 88 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Flights from San Diego to San Francisco usually depart from San Diego (SAN) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from San Diego to San Francisco?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Diego to San Francisco route, 32% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 2h 13m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Diego to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Diego to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Los Angeles (LAX) – 50% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) – 42% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) – 8% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 24% on flights from San Diego to San Francisco. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at C$ 234 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at C$ 304, a difference of C$ 70.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from San Diego to San Francisco?

    4 airlines operate flights between San Diego and San Francisco. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Southwest
    • Alaska Airlines
    • Frontier

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport when travelling from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Flying via Los Angeles (LAX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 3h 56m, compared with 4h 46m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 15h 34m via Denver Intl (DEN).

  • Which popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Moscone Center, and Union Square. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Diego to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating San Diego to San Francisco flights:

    • Frontier: offers free seat selection
    • Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Southwest: offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Diego to San Francisco flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Frontier: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Alaska Airlines: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Southwest: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking San Diego to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average C$ 234, about C$ 70 less than Sunday fares (23% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 10 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 54% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to San Francisco trip for October. Fares historically average C$ 182 round-trip in that month – typically C$ 130 less than the most expensive month, which is March (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with United Airlines. Over the past three months, 76% of United Airlines flights from San Diego to San Francisco arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 68%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 13m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.

Prefer to fly 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,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +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,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more nonstop flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to San Diego

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +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,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more nonstop flights

More options for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco

Complete your trip to San Francisco with a hotel stay or car rental