CMH - SAN

$95 Find Cheap Flights from Columbus to San Diego - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$330
Typical prices: $311-$483
Frontier
Fri 11/16Thu 11/22
CMH - SAN • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$371
Typical prices: $455-$654
Southwest
Fri 11/9Mon 11/12
CMH - SAN • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Southwest. Average duration is 4h 51m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 26 weeks in advance save around 42% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 18% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $257 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 08m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Columbus to San Diego (CMH-SAN)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Columbus to San Diego

Mon, Nov 16 - Sun, Nov 22
Frontier Logo
4:21 pm - 11:57 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
10h 36m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:30 am - 9:33 amSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
24h 03m2 stops Denver Intl Orlando
$330Frontier
Fri, Nov 13 - Sun, Nov 15
Frontier Logo
4:21 pm - 11:57 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
10h 36m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:25 am - 3:26 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
30h 01m1 stop Denver Intl
$334Frontier
Tue, Nov 10 - Fri, Nov 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:27 am - 3:50 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
10h 23m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 am - 3:26 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
6h 01m1 stop Denver Intl
$345Multiple Airlines
Thu, Jan 7 - Mon, Jan 11
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:25 pm - 11:58 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
10h 33m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:36 am - 8:30 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
8h 54m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$347Multiple Airlines
Wed, Nov 25 - Wed, Dec 2
Southwest Logo
3:00 pm - 4:50 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
4h 50mnonstop
Southwest Logo
1:50 pm - 10:35 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
5h 45m1 stop Denver Intl
$358Southwest
Fri, Nov 13 - Thu, Nov 19
Southwest Logo
10:50 am - 12:40 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
4h 50mnonstop
Southwest Logo
10:55 am - 10:50 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
8h 55m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$358Southwest
Tue, Feb 9 - Wed, Feb 10
United Airlines Logo
4:54 pm - 9:34 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 40m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
United Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 3:40 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
6h 20m1 stop Los Angeles
$362United Airlines
Wed, Feb 10 - Thu, Feb 11
United Airlines Logo
4:05 pm - 8:08 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 03m1 stop Los Angeles
United Airlines Logo
7:30 am - 6:09 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
7h 39m1 stop San Francisco
$362United Airlines
Tue, Nov 17 - Mon, Nov 23
American Airlines Logo
6:09 am - 10:39 amCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 30m1 stop Charlotte Douglas
American Airlines Logo
1:15 pm - 11:37 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
7h 22m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$365American Airlines
Tue, Nov 17 - Mon, Nov 23
American Airlines Logo
8:11 am - 12:39 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 28m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
11:49 am - 11:21 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
8h 32m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$365American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Columbus Airport to San Diego flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

Round-trip flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego typically range from $311 to $483. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $330, on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego. It’s 7% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 17% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego at $308 round-trip.
•October ($464) and December ($418) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 50% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego the cheapest?

Flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego are cheapest 26 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 42% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Columbus Airport to San Diego flights

Low season

December

Cheapest flight

$95
Beat the crowds with an average 30% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 22% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Columbus Airport to San Diego

When to book flights from Columbus to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Columbus to San Diego based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Columbus Airport to San Diego flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Columbus Airport to San Diego:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:00 am and lands at 2:51 pm
    • Latest: departs at 4:45 pm and lands at 9:36 pm.

    The flight takes about 4h 51m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    A nonstop flight from Columbus Airport to San Diego takes 4h 51m, covering 1,959 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Columbus Airport to San Diego flight?

    Round-trip flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego range from $311 to $483, with an average of $377 over the past 12 months. Anything below $311 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Columbus Airport to San Diego flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 27% above the $377 route average. Book 26 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $257 round-trip via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP), compared to $561 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $45–$90 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Southwest and JetBlue. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

  • Have flight prices from Columbus Airport to San Diego changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $330 to $2,352. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Columbus Airport to San Diego looking right now?

    One-way fares from Columbus Airport to San Diego are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $163, which is 22% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San Diego Airport (SAN)?

    San Diego Airport (SAN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $53 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Dollar
    • Payless
    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Fox

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    Flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego usually depart from Columbus (CMH) and arrive at San Diego (SAN).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego pass through?

    One-stop flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego most commonly connect through:

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 28% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 18% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 9% of one-stop connections
    • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) - 9% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 21% on flights from Columbus Airport to San Diego. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $352 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $444, a difference of $92.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    Only Southwest operates flights between Columbus Airport and San Diego.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Columbus Airport to San Diego?

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 08m, compared with 6h 39m via Chicago Midway (MDW) and 6h 39m via Nashville Intl (BNA).

  • What is the time difference between Columbus Airport and San Diego?

    San Diego is 3 hours behind Columbus Airport (Pacific Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Diego?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Diego are Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Convention Center and SeaWorld San Diego. These are among the most viewed places in San Diego on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Columbus Airport to San Diego flights?

    Among airlines operating Columbus Airport to San Diego flights:

    • Southwest: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Columbus Airport to San Diego flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Southwest: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

  • How can I get to San Diego from San Diego International Airport?

    San Diego is only a few miles from the airport and is accessible through myriad transit options. You can leave the arrival airport using taxis, shuttles, and buses. Consider taking a taxi if you have luggage or are traveling with family because it is more convenient and efficient.

  • What accessible services are available at San Diego International Airport?

    The airport has been designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Their facilities and services have been modified to be more accessible. You can request wheelchair assistance, but we recommend contacting your airline in advance. Further accommodations can be made upon request.

  • What facilities are parent-friendly at Columbus International Airport?

    John Glenn Columbus International Airport has private nursing rooms in all concourses that all mothers can access. The rooms provide private and comfortable spaces for breastfeeding mothers. All the rooms are fitted with power outlets for breast pumps.

  • Does John Glenn Columbus International Airport have lounges?

    Lounges are a great place to unwind and relax as you wait to board your flight. The departure airport has a few of them offering elegant amenities and facilities to enhance your travel, such as the Escape Lounges and Jake Brewer USO Lounge.

Your guide to booking Columbus Airport to San Diego flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $352, about $92 less than Sunday fares (21% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 26 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 42% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Columbus Airport to San Diego trip for January. Fares historically average $308 round-trip in that month - typically $156 less than the most expensive month, which is October (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Minneapolis St Paul Airport (MSP) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $257 round-trip on this route - about $303 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to San Diego Airport.

    • Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy
    • Bay Club Hotel & Marina
    • Sheraton San Diego Resort
  • Columbus is served by John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), situated about 6 miles from downtown Columbus. You can easily get to the airport using several transit options, including taxis, rideshare, and public transportation. The COTA bus line is efficient and affordable. However, if you want comfort and convenience, we recommend opting for a taxi.
  • CMH provides various parking options, including Valet parking, to enhance your travel experience. Some shuttles link the garages to the terminals departing for the terminals every 15min. You can park your car at John Glenn Columbus International Airport for short or long-term, depending on your travel needs.
  • Flights from Columbus will be arriving at San Diego International Airport (SAN). The airport is about 3 miles from downtown San Diego. Upon arrival, take some time to explore the vast collection of permanent artworks that supports the Airport Authority's mission. Before you leave the airport, treat yourself to a beautiful and elegant exhibition dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
  • You can find several accommodation options near San Diego International Airport, whether traveling for leisure or business. The airport has access to hotels that provide elegant amenities and a relaxing on-site and off-site environment. Stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station, which is 0.8 miles from SAN, or the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, which is 0.4 miles from the airport.
  • There are no direct flights operating from Columbus and San Diego. However, several airlines are providing connecting flights with at least one layover. The most common layover occurs at Harry Reid International Airport and O'Hare International Airport. Connecting flights are much cheaper compared to direct flights and are recommended if you do not mind a few more hours to your trip.

Prefer to fly direct from Columbus to San Diego?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Columbus Airport to San Diego Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Columbus to San Diego

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Wednesday

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Saturday

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Sunday

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Direct returns

San Diego to Columbus

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Friday

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More options for your flight from Columbus to San Diego

Complete your trip to San Diego with a hotel stay or car rental