SAN - SFO

₹ 3,906 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
₹ 10,386
Typical prices: ₹ 11,218-₹ 24,681
Frontier
Fri 12/10Fri 19/10
SAN - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
₹ 11,148
Typical prices: ₹ 11,185-₹ 24,694
Alaska Airlines
Sat 22/12Tue 2/1
SAN - SFO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines, Southwest, and others. Average duration is 1h 44m.
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 77% 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 51% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 33% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg ₹ 21,990 (return)
Shortest trip • 3h 53m (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
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 return flight deals from San Diego to San Francisco

Mon, 12 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Frontier Logo
20:34 - 08:13SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
11h 39m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Frontier Logo
11:22 - 13:16SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 54mdirect
₹ 10,386Frontier
Tue, 22 Dec - Sat, 2 Jan
Alaska Airlines Logo
16:45 - 18:31SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 46mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
20:56 - 22:38SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 42mdirect
₹ 11,148Alaska Airlines
Thu, 12 Nov - Sat, 14 Nov
Southwest Logo
15:05 - 16:50SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 45mdirect
Southwest Logo
15:50 - 17:30SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 40mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Thu, 4 Feb - Wed, 10 Feb
Southwest Logo
08:30 - 10:10SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 40mdirect
Southwest Logo
07:20 - 08:55SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 35mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Thu, 8 Oct - Mon, 12 Oct
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:50 - 09:37SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 47mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:20 - 10:06SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 46mdirect
₹ 11,148Alaska Airlines
Sat, 16 Jan - Sat, 30 Jan
Southwest Logo
13:40 - 15:15SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
06:20 - 07:50SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 30mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Mon, 21 Dec - Sat, 23 Jan
Southwest Logo
19:20 - 21:00SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 40mdirect
Southwest Logo
10:55 - 12:30SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 35mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Sat, 10 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Southwest Logo
18:05 - 19:55SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 50mdirect
Southwest Logo
15:20 - 17:00SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 40mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Southwest Logo
11:10 - 12:45SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
15:20 - 17:00SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 40mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
Thu, 12 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
Southwest Logo
13:25 - 15:10SAN  San Diego-SFO San Francisco
1h 45mdirect
Southwest Logo
19:20 - 21:05SFO  San Francisco-SAN San Diego
1h 45mdirect
₹ 11,148Southwest
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 from San Diego to San Francisco with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

Return flights from San Diego to San Francisco start at ₹ 10,386. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from ₹ 11,218 to ₹ 24,681. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was ₹ 10,386 on Frontier.

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

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to San Francisco and is 8% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 25% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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 ₹ 11,243 return.
  • March (₹ 20,962) and June (₹ 20,199) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 86% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices 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 51% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Diego to San Francisco flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

₹ 3,906
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 10% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (17% more expensive on average)
Flights 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 return 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 
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 route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Is long-term parking possible at San Diego airport and where do I find it?

    The airport features a long-term parking lot, which can be found on Harbor Drive. Here you can leave your car during your time in San Francisco and have it waiting upon your return. The daily rate for a car spot is approximately $20 and the airport can be conveniently reached with the complimentary airport shuttle, which departs from the lot.

  • How can I reach downtown San Francisco from the San Francisco airport?

    The quickest and most convenient way from the airport to the center of San Francisco is by train. The yellow BART train service departs from the airport station and stops at various places in the city. The ride takes about half an hour and costs approximately $9. The SamTrans Bus Service is a cheaper alternative. Routes KX and 292 depart from the airport and stop in downtown San Francisco as well. Tickets are considerably cheaper, at just $2.50, and the travel time is also approximately half an hour. However, traffic can delay the ride considerably.

  • Is there a hotel close to San Francisco airport?

    Whether you have an early flight or late arrival, a nearby hotel can be a convenient option. The Grand Hyatt at SFO is only 3mi from the airport and offers a 24h reception desk service. Alternatively, the Days Inn by Wyndham is equally close to the airport and offers a complimentary airport shuttle.

  • How far is Fisherman’s Wharf from the San Francisco airport?

    The popular tourist district of Fisherman’s Wharf lies on the other side of San Francisco, almost 16mi north of the airport. With a car, you can be there in about half an hour. The yellow BART line goes as far as Montgomery, from where you can board a bus to the Wharf.

  • 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 are available on the route 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

  • 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).

  • 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 cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Southwest: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

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

  • 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 much can I save by having a stopover when flying from San Diego to San Francisco?

    On this route, direct flights are cheaper than stopover options on average. Direct fares average ₹ 16,664 return, compared with ₹ 21,990 via a stopover through Denver Intl (DEN).

  • 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 ₹ 3,811–₹ 9,527 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 Airbus A320neo variants.

  • 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 Los Angeles (LAX) – 50% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) – 40% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) – 10% of one-stop connections

    Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 27% on the San Diego to San Francisco route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at ₹ 15,435 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at ₹ 21,057, a difference of ₹ 5,622. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • 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, 31% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 11 minutes.

  • 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 41% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 32%, Evening flights for 27%, and Night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

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

  • 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 06:15 and lands at 07:59
    • Latest: departs at 22:40 and lands at 00:24.

    The flight takes about 1h 44m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 51% above the route average of ₹ 16,742. Book 10 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to San Francisco?

    A direct flight from San Diego to San Francisco takes 1h 44m, 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 a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

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

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about ₹ 10,386 to ₹ 64,684. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • 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 ₹ 5,393, which is 61% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on San Diego to San Francisco flights?

    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: 77% on time
    • Alaska Airlines: 67% on time
    • Southwest: 62% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 69% of the time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from San Diego to San Francisco?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

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

    Flying via Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 3h 53m, compared to 4h 46m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 17h 38m via Denver Intl (DEN).

  • Which car hire options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around ₹ 1,455 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Thrifty
    • Europcar
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

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

    Return flights from San Diego to San Francisco range from ₹ 11,218 to ₹ 24,681, with an average of ₹ 16,742 over the past 12 months. Anything below ₹ 11,218 counts as a good deal.

  • 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 programme, while others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

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 instead of Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average ₹ 15,435 – about ₹ 5,622 less than Sunday (27% 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 51% 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 ₹ 11,243 return in that month – typically ₹ 9,719 less than the most expensive month, which is March (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, United Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 77% of United Airlines flights from San Diego to San Francisco arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 69%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours11 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you’ve booked a flight from San Diego to San Francisco with United Airlines, you can benefit from the airline’s lounge at San Diego Airport (SAN). Located in the mezzanine level of Terminal 2 after the security check, the lounge spoils passengers with beverages, snacks and a calm work environment. Pass holders and Business Class flyers gain access for free, but any other passenger of this airline can also enter by paying around $59 at the door.
  • How about a relaxing massage before boarding your flight from San Diego to San Francisco? The Be Relax Spa is situated in Terminal 2 of the San Diego airport and offers a wide array of massages and beauty treatments for the perfect start of your journey.
  • Who wouldn’t like a dog to see them off at the airport? San Diego airport is especially popular for its Ready Pet Go service. Various canines roam the airport building and welcome or see off passengers with wagging tails and happy demeanors. These specially trained dogs can be petted and are a delight for passengers young and old.
  • Explore San Francisco according to your own terms and rent a car for your time in the city. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has its own car rental center that can be conveniently reached with the AirTrain, which connects all terminals and the center. Here you will find various companies like Avis, Hertz, and National.
  • Should your stomach already rumble after your arrival in San Francisco, you can benefit from the selection of restaurants in the airport’s Food Court, situated in the main terminal hall. Here you’ll find American cuisine in eateries like Potrero Grill as well as international dishes in Koi Palace or 24th & Mission Taco House.

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 direct 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 direct flights

More options for your flight from San Diego to San Francisco

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