Travelling from San Diego to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Begin planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from San Diego to Los Angeles. Explore your options for setting off from San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), two of the city's main airports.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the primary entry points to Los Angeles.
The average time for a direct San Diego to Los Angeles flight is 1 hour 5 minutes.
San Diego and Los Angeles share the same timezone, UTC-8.
With 48 flights a week between the two airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from San Diego to Los Angeles with Delta Air Lines at 06:15. If you prefer to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest departure from SAN to LAX is with United Airlines at 20:50.
To ensure you catch your San Diego to Los Angeles flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Los Angeles
To pick up cheap San Diego to Los Angeles flights, book in advance. Airlines typically offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from San Diego to Los Angeles across each month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from San Diego to Los Angeles.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' San Diego to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
If you're searching for a direct flight from San Diego to Los Angeles, you can depart from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Get from SAN to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in one seamless trip.
Keep an eye out for promotions with Delta Air Lines. This carrier offers direct San Diego to Los Angeles plane tickets from SAN.
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 you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
Need a convenient hotel near San Diego International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from San Diego to Los Angeles, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
74% of flights that take off from San Diego International Airport land at their destination on time.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is approximately 19 kilometres. It takes about 35 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from San Diego to Los Angeles. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LAX instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond Los Angeles's usual tourist stops.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance of your trip.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is about 27 kilometres from Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As soon as your flight from San Diego to Los Angeles has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 35 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
There are some great places to call home for the night near VNY. Tuck yourself in after your San Diego to Los Angeles flight at one of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from VNY a few weeks in advance so you can simply pick up the keys and get on your way.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from San Diego to Los Angeles. July is the busiest month to travel to Los Angeles. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in March.
Lock in a San Diego to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from San Diego to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from San Diego to Los Angeles, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl are essential stops on your Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Los Angeles has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of the United States just waiting to be explored. Around 177 kilometres southeast of Los Angeles, a trip to San Diego will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
San Jose is another essential stop in the United States and is around 499 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without visiting Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.





















