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Cheap Flights from Columbus to San Diego

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      Travellers and cabin class, 1 Adult, Economy
      Southwest Airlines

      Compare Columbus to San Diego flight deals

      Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to San Diego

      Book the best San Diego fare with no extra fees

      Flight deals from Columbus to San Diego

      Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Columbus to San Diego? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 3,818. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
      San Diego.R 1,923 per passenger.Departing Tue, 20 Oct.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Tue, 20 Oct, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,923, select.
      San Diego.R 2,096 per passenger.Departing Sun, 27 Sep.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Sun, 27 Sep, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,096, select.
      San Diego.R 2,578 per passenger.Departing Thu, 5 Nov.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 5 Nov, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,578, select.
      San Diego.R 2,625 per passenger.Departing Fri, 1 Jan.One-way flight with United.Outbound indirect flight with United, departs from Port Columbus on Fri, 1 Jan, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,625, select.
      San Diego.R 2,629 per passenger.Departing Sat, 13 Mar.One-way flight with Delta.Outbound indirect flight with Delta, departs from Port Columbus on Sat, 13 Mar, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,629, select.
      San Diego.R 2,632 per passenger.Departing Thu, 10 Dec.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Southwest Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 10 Dec, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,632, select.
      San Diego.R 4,108 per passenger.Departing Thu, 22 Oct.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 22 Oct, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 4,108, select.
      San Diego.R 4,115 per passenger.Departing Thu, 5 Nov.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 5 Nov, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 4,115, select.
      San Diego.R 4,119 per passenger.Departing Fri, 11 Dec.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Fri, 11 Dec, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 4,119, select.
      San Diego.R 4,703 per passenger.Departing Mon, 4 Jan.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 4 Jan, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 4,703, select.
      San Diego.R 4,796 per passenger.Departing Thu, 11 Feb.One-way flight with Alaska Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Alaska Airlines, departs from Port Columbus on Thu, 11 Feb, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 4,796, select.
      San Diego.R 5,194 per passenger.Departing Sun, 14 Mar.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Sun, 14 Mar, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 5,194, select.
      San Diego.R 7,650 per passenger.Departing Mon, 28 Sep.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Port Columbus on Mon, 28 Sep, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 7,650, select.
      How did we find these deals? The deals you see here are the lowest prices for flight tickets from Columbus to San Diego found in the last 12 days, and are subject to change and availability.

      Find the cheapest month to fly from Columbus to San Diego

      We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Columbus to San Diego flights are currently cheapest in October.
      Sep
      from R 2,096
      Oct
      from R 1,923
      Nov
      from R 2,578
      Dec
      from R 2,632
      Jan
      from R 2,625
      Feb
      from R 4,796
      Mar
      from R 2,629
      Apr
      Find prices
      May
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      Jun
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      Jul
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      Aug
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      Direct flights from Columbus to San Diego

      Southwest Airlines

      Alternative Columbus to San Diego routes

      Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Columbus to San Diego? You could fly into the following airports instead.

      San Diego International

      4km from central San Diego
      ClosestCheapest
      from R 1,923
      Search flights

      McClellan-Palomar

      48km from central San Diego
      from R 6,100
      Search flights

      Columbus to San Diego: Flight information

      The things to know before you go.
      Cheapest flight foundR 1,923
      Cheapest month to flyOctober
      Average flight time4 hrs, 48 mins
      Most popular airlineSouthwest Airlines
      Average flights per week20

      Finding cheap flights from Columbus to San Diego: Frequently asked questions

      There are 2 airports in San Diego: San Diego International and McClellan-Palomar.
      The best price we found for a return flight from Columbus to San Diego is R 3,818. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
      4 hours and 48 minutes is the average flight time from Columbus to San Diego.
      Southwest Airlines flies direct from Columbus to San Diego.
      As of September 2026, there are 20 flights per week flying from Columbus to San Diego.
      The cheapest month to fly from Columbus to San Diego is usually October.
      If you're flying from Columbus, the cheapest airport near San Diego is San Diego International – which is 4.1 km away from the centre of San Diego. We've found flights into this airport from R 3,818.
      After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Columbus to San Diego on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
      Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 48 minutes.
      We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to San Diego but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

      We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to San Diego is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

      In September, the average temperature is usually around 21°C. September is typically the warmest month in San Diego, when it usually averages around 24°C. You can expect the least rain in July. The coldest month is March, with temperatures averaging 12°C. The rainiest month is March.
      The cheapest airline that flies to San Diego is Frontier Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to McClellan-Palomar Airport is Southwest Airlines.

      Flying from Columbus to San Diego: what you need to know

      • Many great adventures start at one of Columbus's main airports, Port Columbus Airport (CMH) or Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK). Explore the options for booking a flight from Columbus to San Diego departing from either of these bases.

      • When it comes to landing in San Diego, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a major gateway. McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is another.

      • Hop on a direct Columbus to San Diego flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 35 minutes.

      • The timezone in San Diego is UTC-8, which is three hours behind Columbus.

      • With three weekly flights between the two airports, Port Columbus Airport (CMH) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Columbus to San Diego with Southwest Airlines at 12:15. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest departure from CMH to SAN is with Southwest Airlines at 18:30.

      • For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Columbus to San Diego flight.

      • Travelling during a peak month such as July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.

      How to find the cheapest flights from Columbus to San Diego

      • To find cheap Columbus to San Diego flights, book early. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.

      • If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your plane ticket from Columbus to San Diego.

      • Snapping up a cheap flight from Columbus to San Diego is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a better deal is available.

      • Tailor your trip using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Columbus to San Diego flights.

      Flying from Columbus

      Port Columbus Airport (CMH)

      • You can get a direct flight from Columbus to San Diego departing from Port Columbus Airport (CMH). Start your trip at CMH and come in for landing at San Diego International Airport (SAN).

      • Southwest Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct Columbus to San Diego plane tickets leaving from CMH.

      • CMH is about 10 kilometres from central Columbus. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 40 minutes.

      • Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near Port Columbus Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Columbus to San Diego or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:

      • When it comes to the on-time performance of Port Columbus Airport, data shows 77% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.

      • CMH's address is 4600 International Gateway.

      Arriving in San Diego

      San Diego International Airport (SAN)

      • San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes around 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.

      • It typically takes 25 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.

      • If you're arriving on a late flight from Columbus to San Diego, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near SAN:

      • Travel at your own pace with a San Diego International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and chase adventure across San Diego and beyond.

      • Booking your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.

      • SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.

      McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

      • McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is around 48 kilometres from central San Diego. Once you've disembarked your flight from Columbus to San Diego, it'll take you approximately 35 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.

      • The journey will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.

      • After your flight from Columbus to San Diego, tuck yourself in at a hotel near CLD. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:

      • Forget about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a taxi. Pick up a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the rates and availability from Budget, Hertz and Avis.

      • Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from CLD a few weeks in advance so you can simply grab the keys and get going.

      Best time to go to San Diego

      • August is the busiest month for flights from Columbus to San Diego. To avoid the crowds, visit San Diego in March.

      • When booking your Columbus to San Diego tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).

      • Search for cheap flights from Columbus to San Diego in February if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 8ºC (46ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF) on average.

      More about San Diego

      • When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in San Diego right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from Columbus to San Diego:

      • There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum are leading attractions which should feature on any good San Diego itinerary.

      Explore more of the United States

      • Los Angeles is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored after you've seen San Diego. Around 177 kilometres to the northwest, popular attractions include Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl.

      • Around 483 kilometres east of San Diego, Phoenix is another favourite stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Camelback Mountain, Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room and Heard Museum.

      Plan the rest of your trip from Columbus to San Diego

      Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.