Travelling from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Diego: what you need to know
Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego.
Los Angeles (the location of Los Angeles International Airport) and San Diego are in the same timezone — UTC-7.
The busiest route is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Diego International Airport (SAN). Take your pick of 49 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from LAX to SAN is the 08:15 United Airlines service. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 22:58 with United Airlines.
Allow plenty of time to make your LAX to San Diego flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
Direct Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego tickets are available for booking. San Diego International Airport (SAN) will be your arrival point.
Delta Air Lines is a well-known airline that operates direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego.
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to LAX:
81.05% of flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport reach their destination according to schedule. Given its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to experience delays when setting off from LAX.
LAX is located at One World Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Diego
R 774 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego flight. A return ticket right now is R 1,686. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To find cheap flights from LAX to San Diego, book as early as possible. Airlines generally offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
Scoring cheap tickets from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego is easier if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' function to access the best prices across each month and bag an epic deal.
There's no need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from LAX to San Diego.
Save on your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to the centre of San Diego takes around 10 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 20 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near SAN:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Diego and beyond.
Booking your ride from San Diego International Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from LAX to San Diego can help you secure the lowest rate.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
After your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 40 minutes by car. Central San Diego is roughly 56 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
Travelling by public transport will take around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to CLD. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your LAX to San Diego flight:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from CLD a few weeks in advance so you can just collect the keys and drive away.
Best time to go to San Diego
Carefully consider your trip dates before securing your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are often higher and major attractions can be busy. Go to San Diego in low season for a quieter vibe.
The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC (63ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Lock in your Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego flight ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap tickets from LAX to San Diego in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF) on average.
More about San Diego
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in San Diego right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. USS Midway Museum, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are leading attractions which should feature on any good San Diego itinerary.
Explore more of United States
You've visited San Diego, now it's time to explore other parts of United States. Journey around 177 kilometres north-west to Los Angeles to check off its top sights. From Griffith Observatory to The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're eager to discover another major destination in United States, consider Phoenix, about 483 kilometres east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are key reasons to visit.