Cheap Flights from San Diego to Tampa

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Flight deals from San Diego to Tampa

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from San Diego to Tampa? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from R 3,506. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Tampa

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

Direct flights from San Diego to Tampa

San Diego to Tampa: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 1,766
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time4 hrs, 41 mins
Most popular airlineSouthwest Airlines
Average flights per week68

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

There are 5 airports in Tampa: Tampa Peter O'Knight, Tampa International, St. Pete–Clearwater International, Lakeland, and Sarasota.
The best price we found for a return flight from San Diego to Tampa is R 3,171. 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 41 minutes is the average flight time from San Diego to Tampa.
Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines fly direct from San Diego to Tampa.
As of May 2026, there are 22 flights per week flying from San Diego to Tampa.
The cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Tampa is usually May.
If you're flying from San Diego, the cheapest airport near Tampa is Tampa International – which is 8.0 km away from the centre of Tampa. We've found flights into this airport from R 3,171.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from San Diego to Tampa on Sunday, 17 May 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 41 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 Tampa 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 Tampa is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In May, the average temperature is usually around 26°C. August is typically the warmest month in Tampa, when it usually averages around 30°C. You can expect the least rain in November. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 11°C. The rainiest month is August.
The cheapest airline that flies to Tampa is Frontier Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to Tampa International Airport is Southwest Airlines.

Travelling from San Diego to Tampa: what you need to know

  • Kick off your travels at one of San Diego's main airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Check out your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Tampa taking off from either of these.

  • Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) are the major entry points to Tampa.

  • The average time for a direct San Diego to Tampa flight is 4 hours 45 minutes.

  • Tampa is three hours ahead of San Diego and observes the UTC-4 timezone.

  • The busiest route for flights from San Diego to Tampa is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tampa International Airport (TPA). Choose from seven weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from SAN to TPA is the 08:40 Alaska Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final scheduled service is at 15:21 with Alaska Airlines.

  • For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your San Diego to Tampa flight.

  • During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.

How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Tampa

  • R 1,766 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Tampa. Return flights start at R 3,171. These fares may change depending on demand and availability.

  • To score cheap San Diego to Tampa flights, book your journey three months before your departure.

  • Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on plane tickets from San Diego to Tampa. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.

  • Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from San Diego to Tampa by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.

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

Flying from San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  • You can catch a direct flight from San Diego to Tampa taking off from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Begin your journey at SAN and arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA).

  • Alaska Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct San Diego to Tampa plane tickets leaving from SAN.

  • Travelling from central San Diego to SAN takes around 20 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 3 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

  • Booked an early flight from San Diego to Tampa? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to San Diego International Airport:

  • 71.38% of flights that take off from San Diego International Airport make it to their destination on schedule.

  • SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.

Arriving in Tampa

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

  • The distance from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to central Tampa is roughly 8 kilometres. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the centre driving.

  • If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 55 minutes.

  • Reserve a hotel near TPA if you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Tampa. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:

  • Pick up a Tampa International Airport rental car and explore Tampa and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Budget and Thrifty are popular outlets to choose from here.

  • Reserving your ride from Tampa International Airport around one week in advance gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.

  • You'll find TPA at 5507 West Spruce Street.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

  • Central Tampa is about 24 kilometres from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). After your flight from San Diego to Tampa has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 25 minutes.

  • The journey will take approximately 2 hours 10 minutes on public transport.

  • No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Alamo or Avis and hit the road in a heartbeat.

  • Save time at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from PIE in advance so you can simply grab the keys and go.

  • The address for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is Suite 221 - Terminal Building.

Best time to go to Tampa

  • It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from San Diego to Tampa. July is the busiest month to travel to Tampa. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in May.

  • Lock in a San Diego to Tampa ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Tampa to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).

  • If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from San Diego to Tampa in January when temperatures average between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).

More about Tampa

  • When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Tampa right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from San Diego to Tampa:

  • There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Ybor City Tattoo Company, Tampa Riverwalk and The Florida Aquarium are leading attractions which should be on every Tampa itinerary.

Explore more of United States

  • Tampa is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be discovered. About 274 kilometres north of Tampa, a trip to Jacksonville will keep you busy. Start with leading attractions like Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Friendship Fountain.

  • Miami is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 338 kilometres south-east of Tampa. No journey is complete without experiencing Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and American Airlines Arena.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.