PHL - SAN

$117 Find Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$340
Typical prices: $398-$561
Frontier
Wed 10/10Wed 10/17
PHL - SAN • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$450
Typical prices: $411-$576
American Airlines
Wed 10/24Wed 10/31
PHL - SAN • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines. Average duration is 5h 59m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 25 weeks in advance save around 28% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 13% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $283 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 04m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego (PHL-SAN)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Philadelphia to San Diego

Sat, Oct 10 - Sat, Oct 17
Frontier Logo
5:50 am - 11:56 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
21h 06m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
5:44 pm - 7:18 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
10h 34m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$340Frontier
Sat, Oct 10 - Sat, Oct 17
Frontier Logo
5:50 am - 11:56 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
21h 06m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
5:44 pm - 7:18 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
10h 34m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$340Frontier
Mon, Nov 2 - Tue, Nov 10
Southwest Logo
6:35 pm - 10:55 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
7h 20m1 stop Dallas Love Field
Southwest Logo
12:35 pm - 11:30 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
7h 55m1 stop Denver Intl
$352Southwest
Sat, Oct 17 - Sat, Oct 24
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:02 am - 5:20 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
13h 18m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Jose
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:50 am - 5:41 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
17h 51m2 stops Sacramento Intl Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$355Alaska Airlines
Sat, Oct 17 - Sat, Oct 24
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:02 am - 6:43 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
14h 41m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl San Jose
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:44 pm - 7:18 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
10h 34m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$356Multiple Airlines
Thu, Oct 29 - Mon, Nov 2
Southwest Logo
11:30 am - 5:15 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 45m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 12:05 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
7h 40m1 stop Denver Intl
$357Southwest
Mon, Dec 14 - Wed, Dec 16
United Airlines Logo
5:00 pm - 10:33 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 33m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
10:30 am - 9:39 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
8h 09m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$359United Airlines
Sat, Oct 24 - Sat, Oct 31
American Airlines Logo
6:00 pm - 8:58 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
5h 58mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
6:20 am - 2:40 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
5h 20mnonstop
$450American Airlines
Wed, Oct 28 - Tue, Nov 3
American Airlines Logo
4:00 pm - 6:57 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
5h 57mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
11:45 am - 8:02 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
5h 17mnonstop
$450American Airlines
Sat, Dec 19 - Sat, Jan 2
United Airlines Logo
4:58 pm - 10:55 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 57m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
7:10 pm - 5:31 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
7h 21m1 stop Denver Intl
$509United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Philadelphia to San Diego flights

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

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

Round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Diego start at $340. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $398 to $561. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $340 on Frontier.

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

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Philadelphia to San Diego, it is 8% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 17% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia to San Diego?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia to San Diego at $413 round-trip.
•June ($524) and August ($516) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 26% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Philadelphia to San Diego the cheapest?

Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego are cheapest 25 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 28% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Philadelphia to San Diego

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Brandon Schultz

Brandon Schultz

Expert on SAN

Brandon Schultz is an award-winning food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Forbes, AAA, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, and The Daily Meal, among many others, and he is the author of 6 books, including 3 cookbooks.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on PHL

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Key details for Philadelphia to San Diego flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$117
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 13% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 4% lower on average.
Flight from Philadelphia to San Diego

When to book flights from Philadelphia to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to San Diego flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 8:10 am and lands at 2:09 pm
    • Latest: departs at 6:43 pm and lands at 12:42 am.

    The flight takes about 5h 59m.

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

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Philadelphia to San Diego:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Philadelphia to San Diego?

    A nonstop flight from Philadelphia to San Diego takes 5h 59m, covering 2,364 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to San Diego flight?

    Round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Diego range from $398 to $561, with an average of $477 over the past 12 months. Anything below $398 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 7% above the route average of $477. Book 25 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $283 round-trip via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), compared to $487 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $50–$100 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 Philadelphia to San Diego?

    The Airbus A321-100/200 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A321neo variants.

  • How are flight departures from Philadelphia to San Diego spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Philadelphia to San Diego flights, with 34% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 33%, evening flights for 33%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from Philadelphia 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 $340 to $2,134. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Philadelphia to San Diego flights?

    American Airlines is the only airline on the Philadelphia to San Diego route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

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

    One-way fares from Philadelphia to San Diego are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $204, which is 32% 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 starting from around $14 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Dollar
    • Payless
    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Fox

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

    Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego usually depart from Philadelphia (PHL) and arrive at San Diego (SAN).

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

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

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 32% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Boston Logan Intl (BOS) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Lambert-St Louis (STL) - 7% of one-stop connections

    Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 22% on the Philadelphia to San Diego route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $441 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $560, a difference of $119. 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 are available from Philadelphia to San Diego?

    Only American Airlines operates flights between Philadelphia and San Diego.

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

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 04m, compared with 7h 28m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 7h 31m via Nashville Intl (BNA).

  • What is the time difference between Philadelphia and San Diego?

    San Diego is 3 hours behind Philadelphia (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 Philadelphia to San Diego flights?

    Among airlines operating Philadelphia to San Diego flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; 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 Philadelphia to San Diego flights?

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

    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • JetBlue: a cabin bag in Economy Class class

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

  • What types of flights are offered between Philadelphia and San Diego?

    To travel from Philadelphia to San Diego, it’s possible to find direct flights, with these trips often being serviced by American Airlines. There are many journeys that require travelers to make a connection as well, and this may occur in cities like Dallas or Phoenix. Connecting flights are often operated by Alaska Airlines or Delta.

  • How can I travel from downtown Philadelphia to Philadelphia International Airport?

    A popular way of traveling from downtown Philadelphia to Philadelphia International Airport is by driving, as it only takes between 15 and 20min in total. Public transportation is available for this trip as well, such as the Airport Line bus. If you take the local bus, expect the journey to last around 20 to 25min.

  • Does San Diego International Airport have its own rental car center?

    There is an off-site rental car facility near San Diego International Airport, which can be reached by a free shuttle bus. At this facility, you will find offices for a few different rental agencies, including Budget, Enterprise, and National. Each company keeps their fleet at the center.

  • What transportation options are available for going from San Diego International Airport to the city center?

    To go from San Diego International Airport to the city center as quickly as possible, it’s usually best to drive, as the journey will only take you around 10 to 15min as long as there is no additional traffic. There is also public transportation that can be used to go between these two locations, such as public bus line 992. If you choose to take the bus, you’ll arrive at the city center in around 20min.

Your guide to booking Philadelphia to San Diego flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $441 - about $119 less than Sunday (21% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 25 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 28% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Philadelphia to San Diego trip for January. Fares historically average $413 round-trip in that month - typically $111 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $283 round-trip on this route - about $204 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
    - Wyndham San Diego Bayside
    - Bay Club Hotel & Marina
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a major hub for both Frontier Airlines and American Airlines. Due to this, you will find many flights that depart from this airport are operated by one of these companies.
  • If you’ll be flying with a small child that is still nursing, keep your eyes open for one of the lactation rooms in San Diego International Airport (SAN). These rooms are located in Terminals 1 and 2 and contain comfortable seating, a highchair, a small washing station, and outlets.
  • Those that have an early flight departing from Philadelphia International Airport may be interested in staying at a hotel directly at the airport in order to maximize their sleeping time. Minute Suites can be found in Terminals A and B and rent rooms either per hour or overnight, while the Philadelphia Airport Marriott is in Terminal B.
  • Travelers that are hungry or thirsty once they have arrived at San Diego International Airport can choose from a few quick dining options in each terminal. Both Ryan Bro’s Coffee in Terminal 1 and Einstein Bros. Bagels in Terminal 2 are open 24h a day and have a variety of to-go options.
  • When traveling with a furry friend, you’ll want to make sure that you find one of the “Pet Ports” in Philadelphia International Airport. There is at least one of these areas in each terminal and they contain fake grass and trash cans for pet owners to take advantage of.

Prefer to fly direct from Philadelphia to San Diego?

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

Direct departures

Philadelphia to San Diego

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to Philadelphia

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Philadelphia to San Diego

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