Cheap Flights from San Diego to Kona

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Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Kona

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Flight deals from San Diego to Kona

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from San Diego to Kona Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 5,125. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Kona

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like San Diego to Kona flights are currently cheapest in August.

Direct flights from San Diego to Kona

San Diego to Kona: Alternative routes

Compare routes from San Diego to Kailua-Kona below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Kona.

San Diego to Kailua-Kona: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 2,501
Cheapest month to flyAugust
Average flight time6 hrs, 7 mins
Most popular airlineAlaska Airlines
Average flights per week27

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

The best price we found for a return flight from San Diego to Kona is R 4,829. 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.
6 hours and 7 minutes is the average flight time from San Diego to Kona.
Alaska Airlines and Smart Wings fly direct from San Diego to Kona.
As of July 2026, there are 27 flights per week flying from San Diego to Kona.
The cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Kona is usually September.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from San Diego to Kona Airport on Monday, 21 September 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 6 hours and 7 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 Kona 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 Kailua-Kona is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Flying from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA): What you need to know

  • Your boarding pass to adventure starts at San Diego's main airport, San Diego International Airport (SAN). Explore the options for reserving a flight from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA) leaving from this terminal.

  • Book a direct San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 6 hours 10 minutes.

  • Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole is located in Kailua-Kona. The city runs on the UTC-10 timezone and is two hours behind San Diego.

  • Take your pick of 6 direct flights each week between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA). This is the most popular route, with Alaska Airlines offering a 9am departure from SAN to KOA.

  • Leave enough time to catch your flight from San Diego to KOA. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • If you're getting away during a popular month like July, be at the airport even earlier. It's wise to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures. You can expect lines to be longer during holiday periods like Thanksgiving and spring break.

Airports in San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  • You can take a direct flight from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA) departing from San Diego International Airport (SAN).

  • Alaska Airlines is a well-known airline that operates direct flights from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole departing from SAN.

  • Most travellers prefer to book seats with Alaska Airlines between SAN and KOA.

  • With 77.97% of services arriving as planned, Alaska Airlines is the most punctual carrier on this route.

  • SAN is about 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 25 minutes.

  • Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:

  • Of the flights that depart from San Diego International Airport, 74% arrive as scheduled at their destination.

  • You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

  • CLD is roughly 48 kilometres from the centre of San Diego. Plan ahead to find the easiest way to get to the terminal.

  • Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your San Diego to KOA flight, stay in one of these hotels close to McClellan-Palomar Airport:

  • McClellan-Palomar Airport has a strong track record for reliability and timeliness. 88% of flights out of here land when expected.

About Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA)

Getting from Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA) to central Kailua-Kona

  • Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole is around 11 kilometres from central Kailua-Kona. It takes around 15 minutes or so to get to the city by car.

  • Travelling on public transport takes around 45 minutes.

How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA)

  • Right now, R 2,501 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 4,829. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.

  • To find cheap flights from San Diego to KOA, book early. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights are first released.

  • The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole tickets across every month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.

  • Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from San Diego to KOA by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.

  • Bag the best deal on a flight from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole with the help of the filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'

The best time to fly from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA)

  • December is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole (KOA), while July is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to go to Kailua-Kona based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.

  • The warmest month in Kailua-Kona is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC (63ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Lock in your San Diego to KOA plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.

  • January sees temperatures of between 13ºC (55ºF) and 21ºC (70ºF). Look for cheap tickets from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole around that time if you like cooler conditions.

More about Kailua-Kona

  • When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Kailua-Kona right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from San Diego to Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl Airport at Keahole:

  • Your trip to Kailua-Kona wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Attractions you won't want to miss include White Sands Beach(La'aloa Bay), Manta Ray Dives of Hawai‘i and Ironman finish line.

Explore more of the United States

  • Honolulu is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Kailua-Kona. Around 257 kilometres away to the northwest, its best attractions include Pacific Ocean, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour.

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