Flying from London to San Diego: what you need to know
Take your pick of a number of airports when planning a flight from London to San Diego. Check out your options for departing London from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also service London.
Come in for landing at San Diego International Airport (SAN), the primary gateway of San Diego.
Take a direct London to San Diego flight and you'll be flying for an average of 11 hours 20 minutes.
San Diego's timezone is UTC-8, making San Diego eight hours behind London.
With ten weekly flights between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from London to San Diego with British Airways at 11:30. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the last flight from LHR to SAN is with British Airways at 14:55.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your London to San Diego flight.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to San Diego
To pick up cheap London to San Diego flights, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from London to San Diego throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Getting a cheap flight from London to San Diego is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Save on your London to San Diego flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You can book a direct flight from London to San Diego departing from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Begin your trip at LHR and land at San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Check out the promotions with British Airways. This carrier offers direct London to San Diego plane tickets from LHR.
We make it a breeze to find a London to San Diego flight with a stopover. To see the options departing from London Heathrow Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from London to San Diego? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near London Heathrow Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow Airport, data shows 78% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your London to San Diego flight, here's where you can stop when heading out from London Gatwick Airport:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
With public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from London to San Diego, unwind in one of these hotels near London Gatwick Airport:
Most flights that depart London Gatwick Airport get to their destination on schedule. It boasts a strong on-time performance rate of 83%.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
STN is roughly 48 kilometres from central London. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. If you're planning to take public transport, expect a journey time of around 45 minutes.
Make catching an early London to San Diego flight the easiest part of your trip. Book a room at one of these accommodation options near London Stansted Airport and get to your boarding gate feeling relaxed and unhurried:
With 80% of its departing flights arriving when they should, STN is a reliable starting point for any adventure.
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.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 25 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near SAN if you're coming in on a late flight from London to San Diego. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Diego and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from San Diego International Airport about two weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
The centre of San Diego is around 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Once your flight from London to San Diego has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 35 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to CLD. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from London to San Diego:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and be off and running.
Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the better the deals and selection of vehicles. Reserve your ride from CLD as soon as you know your dates.
Best time to go to San Diego
March is the quietest month for flights from London to San Diego, while August is the busiest. Find the best time to go to San Diego based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a London to San Diego ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Diego to range from 16ºC to 27ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from London to San Diego in February when temperatures average between 8ºC and 22ºC.
More about San Diego
Once you've booked your flight from London to San Diego, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Diego:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum are must-visits when exploring San Diego.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen San Diego, now it's time to explore other corners of the United States. Journey around 177 kilometres northwest to Los Angeles to check off its popular sights. From Hollywood Sign to Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Phoenix is another sought-after destination in the United States and is around 483 kilometres east of San Diego. No trip is complete without a visit to Camelback Mountain, Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room and Heard Museum.
