Travelling from Phoenix to San Diego: what you need to know
Begin your journey at one of Phoenix's main airports, Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) or Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA). Explore your options for booking a flight from Phoenix to San Diego jetting off from either of these.
The primary hubs where you can touch down in San Diego are San Diego International Airport (SAN) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
A direct flight from Phoenix to San Diego takes on average 1 hour 15 minutes. San Diego's timezone is UTC-7 — the same as Phoenix.
With 107 weekly flights between the two airports, Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Phoenix to San Diego with Frontier Airlines at 07:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest departure from PHX to SAN is with American Airlines at 23:19.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from Phoenix to San Diego.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
For a domestic flight within United States, you won't need a visa or passport. However, you'll have to present another form of identification, such as a driver's licence or ID card. Once you've found cheap flights from Phoenix to San Diego, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Jet off from Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) on a nonstop flight from Phoenix to San Diego. From PHX, you can land directly at San Diego International Airport (SAN).
American Airlines is a popular carrier that operates direct flights from Phoenix to San Diego taking off from PHX.
We make it a breeze to find a flight from Phoenix to San Diego with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Located around 8 kilometres from the centre of Phoenix, PHX can be reached in about 11 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport is roughly 34 minutes.
Have an early flight from Phoenix to San Diego? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport:
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is around 5 kilometres from central San Diego. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is around 9 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes around 20 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Phoenix to San Diego, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near SAN:
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is about 56 kilometres from the centre of San Diego. Following your flight from Phoenix to San Diego, allow for a drive time of approximately 39 minutes to get to the heart of the city.
Travelling by public transport will take about 2 hours and 14 minutes.
You'll find some cosy stays to drop your things at near CLD. Kick back after your flight from Phoenix to San Diego at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Phoenix to San Diego
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Phoenix to San Diego is R 529. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,058. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap tickets from Phoenix to San Diego by booking at least 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Phoenix to San Diego is May. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Phoenix to San Diego. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll update you when there's a change in price.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Phoenix to San Diego, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Phoenix to San Diego, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to go to San Diego based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Before you book a flight from Phoenix to San Diego, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with the temperature ranging from 17ºC to 28ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Phoenix to San Diego in February if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 7ºC and 23ºC on average.
More about San Diego
Start your San Diego trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Phoenix to San Diego, browse our range of hotels including:
San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are just the start of the leading attractions to put on your San Diego must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to SeaWorld San Diego.
Complete your San Diego trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Phoenix to San Diego to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in San Diego, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.