PHL - SAN

$124 Find Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$398
Typical prices: $416-$579
Frontier
Sat 12/1Tue 12/4
PHL - SAN • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$461
Typical prices: $430-$593
American Airlines
Sun 11/25Sun 12/2
PHL - SAN • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines. Average duration is 6h 05m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 14% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $284 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 02m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Diego!

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

 

Cheap flights from Philadelphia to San Diego with top airlines, updated regularly. Compare round-trip, one-way, direct and last-minute deals.

Tue, Dec 1 - Fri, Dec 4
Frontier Logo
6:40 pm - 10:21 amPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
18h 41m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
8:17 am - 11:05 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
11h 48m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$398Frontier
Tue, Dec 22 - Wed, Dec 30
Frontier Logo
7:52 pm - 12:24 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
19h 32m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Frontier Logo
6:36 am - 5:11 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
19h 35m1 stop Denver Intl
$401Frontier
Tue, Dec 22 - Wed, Dec 30
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 12:05 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 50m1 stop Orlando
Southwest Logo
10:35 pm - 1:15 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
11h 40m1 stop Nashville Intl
$402Southwest
Tue, Dec 22 - Tue, Dec 29
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 12:05 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 50m1 stop Orlando
Southwest Logo
9:35 pm - 10:25 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
9h 50m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Chicago Midway
$402Southwest
Wed, Nov 11 - Tue, Nov 17
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:14 pm - 7:35 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
29h 21m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:22 pm - 1:29 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
21h 07m1 stop Raleigh-Durham
$405Multiple Airlines
Tue, Dec 1 - Sat, Dec 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:40 pm - 10:21 amPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
18h 41m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:08 pm - 5:40 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
10h 32m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$406Multiple Airlines
Mon, Nov 16 - Tue, Nov 17
United Airlines Logo
6:21 pm - 12:19 amPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 58m1 stop San Francisco
United Airlines Logo
8:05 am - 6:41 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
7h 36m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$432United Airlines
Fri, Apr 2 - Mon, Apr 5
United Airlines Logo
6:10 am - 11:22 amPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
8h 12m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
2:09 pm - 12:37 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
7h 28m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$432United Airlines
Sat, Nov 14 - Tue, Nov 17
American Airlines Logo
8:26 am - 11:28 amPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
6h 02mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
9:18 am - 5:35 pmSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
5h 17mnonstop
$477American Airlines
Sat, Nov 14 - Sat, Nov 21
American Airlines Logo
6:43 pm - 9:40 pmPHL  Philadelphia-SAN San Diego
5h 57mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
9:25 pm - 5:27 amSAN  San Diego-PHL Philadelphia
5h 02mnonstop
$477American Airlines

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 with more confidence.

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

Round-trip flights from Philadelphia to San Diego typically range from $416 to $579. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $398, on Frontier.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Philadelphia to San Diego. It’s 7% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 15% higher.

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

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia to San Diego at $418 round-trip.
•June ($525) and October ($522) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 25% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Philadelphia to San Diego the cheapest?

Flights from Philadelphia to San Diego are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 14% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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

October

Cheapest flight

$124
Beat the crowds with an average 22% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 15% increase in travelers.
One-way 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 answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • 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 2:15 pm
    • Latest: departs at 6:43 pm and lands at 12:48 am.

    The flight takes about 6h 05m.

  • 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 6h 05m, 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 $416 to $579, with an average of $491 over the past 12 months. Anything below $416 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 6% above the $491 route average. Book 13 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 $284 round-trip via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), compared to $502 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 $401 to $2,375. 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?

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Philadelphia to San Diego flights:

    • American Airlines
    • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

  • 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 $176, which is 43% 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) - 34% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Boston Logan Intl (BOS) - 14% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 8% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 19% on flights from Philadelphia to San Diego. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $458 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $565, a difference of $107.

    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 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 02m, compared with 7h 22m 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 always 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 are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $458, about $107 less than Sunday fares (19% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 14% 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 $418 round-trip in that month - typically $107 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 $284 round-trip on this route - about $218 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
  • 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