Flying from San Diego to Seattle: what you need to know
Your next exciting journey begins at one of San Diego's main airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Explore the options for booking a flight from San Diego to Seattle setting off from either of these bases.
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Paine Field Airport (PAE) are the major entry points to Seattle.
Jump on a direct San Diego to Seattle flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 3 hours 5 minutes.
San Diego and Seattle are both in the UTC-8 timezone. This means you won't need to account for any time differences.
The most popular route for flights from San Diego to Seattle is San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA). You'll find 89 services that connect the two airports each week.
Allow plenty of time to get on your San Diego to Seattle flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Seattle
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap San Diego to Seattle flight. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from San Diego to Seattle across every month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from San Diego to Seattle by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Save on your San Diego to Seattle flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
You can find a direct flight from San Diego to Seattle departing from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Start your trip at SAN and then touch down at Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Paine Field Airport (PAE).
Top airlines that offer direct San Diego to Seattle plane tickets departing from SAN include:
SAN is around 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 25 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from San Diego to Seattle or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of the departures from San Diego International Airport, 74% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to central Seattle takes about 25 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego to Seattle. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SEA instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Seattle / Tacoma International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Europcar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of Seattle and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport around one week before your departure date.
Paine Field Airport (PAE)
Once your flight from San Diego to Seattle has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Seattle is roughly 32 kilometres from Paine Field Airport (PAE).
The journey will take roughly 40 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to PAE. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from San Diego to Seattle:
Land, collect your Paine Field Airport rental car, and drive away without skipping a beat. Budget and Enterprise are trusted providers you can book with here.
Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Secure your ride from PAE once your travel dates are set.
Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI)
Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI) is about 11 kilometres from the centre of Seattle. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city centre by taxi or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from San Diego to Seattle.
Public transport will get you there in roughly 35 minutes.
Stay in control of the next chapter of your journey by picking up a Seattle Boeing Fld Airport rental car. Alamo, Budget and Avis are dependable companies for booking.
Rental companies sometimes offer promotions on early bookings, so reserve your ride from BFI in advance of your flight from San Diego to Seattle. A bit of planning goes a long way in savings.
Best time to go to Seattle
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from San Diego to Seattle. July is the busiest month to visit Seattle. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Seattle is August, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 28ºC. Book your San Diego to Seattle ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap flights from San Diego to Seattle in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Seattle
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Seattle right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from San Diego to Seattle:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Space Needle, Pike Place Fish Market and The Museum of Flight are top sights which should be on any good Seattle itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Seattle has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be explored. Around 241 kilometres south of Seattle, a visit to Portland will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Portland Japanese Garden, Peninsula Park Rose Garden and International Rose Test Garden.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of the United States, consider Spokane, roughly 370 kilometres east of Seattle. Riverside State Park, Spokane Falls (Upper Falls) and Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes are the start of reasons to visit.