Travelling from Seattle to San Diego: what you need to know
Kick off your travels at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the main airport in Seattle. Look for flights from Seattle to San Diego that take off from this terminal.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) are the primary entry points to San Diego.
Around 2 hours 50 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Seattle to San Diego flight.
San Diego's timezone is UTC-7, which is the same as Seattle.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 91 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Seattle to San Diego is with Alaska Airlines at 21:17. Choose the first SEA to SAN departure with Alaska Airlines at 05:45 to fit in more activities on your first day in San Diego.
To ensure you make it on your Seattle to San Diego flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time like July? High seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can add an hour at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to San Diego
Lock in cheap Seattle to San Diego flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding a bargain.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Seattle to San Diego is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Seattle to San Diego is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Seattle to San Diego flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Seattle to San Diego, you can leave from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Fly from SEA to San Diego International Airport (SAN) in one seamless journey.
Check out the promotions with Alaska Airlines. This carrier offers direct Seattle to San Diego plane tickets from SEA.
Located around 18 kilometres from the centre of Seattle, SEA can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 55 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Seattle to San Diego? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
81.27% of flights departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. Given its solid on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from SEA.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes about 10 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 3 kilometres away.
It usually takes 20 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Seattle to San Diego, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near SAN:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's main sights.
Reserving your ride from San Diego International Airport around two weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of San Diego. Once you've hopped off your flight from Seattle to San Diego, it'll take you approximately 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Public transport will get you there in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
Budget, Hertz and Avis make picking up a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Get the vehicle you prefer, not just what's left, by booking your ride from CLD before your arrival. You'll also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially during busy airport times.
Best time to go to San Diego
July is the busiest month for flights from Seattle to San Diego. To steer clear of the crowds, head to San Diego in May.
Before locking in your Seattle to San Diego tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC to 28ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Seattle to San Diego in February if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 7ºC and 23ºC on average.
More about San Diego
Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to San Diego, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are must-visits when exploring San Diego.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored after you've seen San Diego. Around 177 kilometres to the north-west, its top attractions include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Phoenix is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 483 kilometres east of San Diego. No trip is complete without visiting Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park.
