$525 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to Australia - Compare and Save

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Cheap Flights from San Diego to Australia

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Sydney
Sydney2 stops$929
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,052
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,307
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,236
Sydney
Sydney2 stops$929
Brisbane
Brisbane1 stop$1,052
Perth
Perth2 stops$1,307
Adelaide
Adelaide2 stops$1,236

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

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

Are flights from San Diego to Australia cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from San Diego to Australia are running about 5% higher than they were around this time last year, averaging $1,219 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares from San Diego to Australia right now?

Here are the cheapest round-trip fares from San Diego to Australia on KAYAK in the last week:

• Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) from $929
• Brisbane (BNE) from $1,055
• Melbourne (MEL) from $1,090
• Adelaide (ADL) from $1,236
• Perth (PER) from $1,307

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

April is the cheapest time of year to fly, with average fares of $1,089. Prices are highest in September, when average flight costs increase to around $1,609.

When is the best time to book flights from San Diego to Australia?

Book your flights 5 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 24% compared to booking last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

Which airport in Australia is the cheapest to fly to from San Diego?

Based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into Australia are:

• Melbourne (MEL) from $1,100
• Brisbane (BNE) from $1,209
• Adelaide (ADL) from $1,290

What’s the cheapest day to fly from San Diego to Australia?

Monday tends to be the cheapest day to fly from San Diego to Australia, while Sunday is the most expensive. Fares run about 17% higher that day, based on the past 12 months of KAYAK data.

What's the cheapest time of day to fly from San Diego to Australia?

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to Australia during the afternoon with average prices of $1,247. The morning is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $1,366.

Key details for San Diego to Australia flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$525
Beat the crowds with an average 58% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 88% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Diego to Brisbane

Your San Diego to Australia flight questions, answered

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

  • Is now a good time to book a flight from San Diego to Australia?

    Yes. Fares from San Diego to Australia are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $1,096 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's a good time to book.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from San Diego to Australia?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from San Diego to Australia have ranged from $1,096 to $1,609.

  • What are the main airports serving Australia?

    Australia has 145 airports. The three busiest are Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) (53% of arrivals), Brisbane (BNE) (23%) and Melbourne (MEL) (17%).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from San Diego to Australia?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, no airline regularly operates nonstop flights from San Diego to Australia. One-stop options include:

    • United Airlines
    • American Airlines
    • Air Canada

  • Which cabin classes are available on flights from San Diego to Australia?

    On flights from San Diego to Australia you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks in Australia?

    KAYAK travelers' favorite landmarks in Australia include:

    • Sydney Opera House
    • Marvel Stadium
    • Melbourne Cricket Ground
    • Crown Casino

  • How can I fly from San Diego to Australia?

    It is unlikely to find direct or nonstop flight services when flying from San Diego to Australia. However, you can choose to fly with airlines offering short layover flights. Air Canada and United Airlines are some of the airlines frequently operating along this route with short layovers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). However, if you want to save some money during your trip, you should opt for flights with longer layovers, such as Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

  • Are there nursing lounges at SAN?

    Nursing mothers flying through SAN with an infant will find at least a designated, peerless, private and serene lactation suite in terminals 1 and 2. These lactation suites are ideal for nursing, pumping milk and changing diapers as they are equipped with baby changing tables, sinks, electrical power outlets, comfortable seats and rockers.

  • What is the most suitable ground transportation mode in Australia?

    If you want the freedom to tour and explore Australia without having to use a strict schedule of buses, metro lines, trains and taxis, you should opt for car rental services. With car rental services, you can visit any attraction site at any time. Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis, and Budget are some car rental companies you will find at the arrivals terminals near the baggage claim areas at MEL, SYD and BNE airports.

  • Is there a USO lounge at SAN?

    The USO military lounge available at SAN offers its services and amenities to active duty US military and their families free of charge. These services include monitors displaying flight arrival and departures, meeting centers, children's playroom, luggage storage, showers, United through Reading and video games.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Australia flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 5 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 24% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for April when flights are typically cheapest and avoid September when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Monday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Sunday cost about 17% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, Melbourne (MEL) is the cheapest airport to fly into from San Diego. If you have onward travel, don't forget to factor in the cost of your journey by train, bus or domestic flight.
  • Start your trip in Sydney, which is the most popular destination in Australia. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular destinations such as Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
  • Sydney International Airport (SYD) is the main airport serving major international flights in Australia and is bound to be your arrival airport. However, you can also land at Melbourne Airport (MEL) or Brisbane Airport (BNE).
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN) has a huge parking space that passengers who wish to leave their cars at the airport can utilize. You can either use the onsite or the offsite parking lots. Note that the offsite parking lots are fairly priced compared to the onsite parking lots.
  • If you are flying from San Diego to Australia, you should ensure that you arrive at SAN at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure. As a result, you will have enough time to go through the security checkpoint, get your boarding pass and ticket stamped, explore the airport attractions and arrive at your boarding gate on time. Alternatively, you can check in online through your airline website to save you some time.
  • There are many carriers offering flight services from San Diego to Australia. However, all these airlines offer different services and amenities onboard. Some carriers, such as Japan Airlines, offer assorted meals and drinks, disabled services, entertainment, earplugs and travel blankets for those who would like to sleep during the trip.
  • If you want to grab something to eat while at any of the Australian airports, you can do so at one of the food concessions available within the airports. The dining areas are available on the landside and Airside of MEL, SYD and BNE, offering a variety of cuisines that you would love to explore.

Reviews of the top 4 airlines serving from San Diego to Australia

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Diego to Australia? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 674 reviews
7.4Entertainment
7.9Comfort
8.2Boarding
8.5Crew
7.4Food
Airline reviews

Great airline service by the staff. I highly recommend it

10.0 ExcellentManish, Apr 2026
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

Great airline service by the staff. I highly recommend it

This flight was the second leg of a trip that began in Auckland, New Zealand. I was unable to find a way to select seats in advance. The boarding passes we were given in Auckland did not have seat assignments for the second flight. There was no way to check on it until personnel showed up at the gate in Los Angeles, immediately before boarding time. The flight was overbooked by one, and since I was traveling with my sister, we needed two seats. We waited in considerable anxiety for everyone else to board and when one person did not show up, we had to take whatever was left. At least we finally got on the flight although we were the very last to board. We were not able to sit together, of course.

The food was not as good as Air New Zealand. The veg pasta was pass-able but the veg cibotta sandwich was dry, hard and not up to par. The coach staff were attentive and accommodating.

Overall the plane was good and the crew great. The big disappointment was the skycouch. Maybe it would be good if you were a parent with 2 small kids travelling but as a couple it's hopeless. It's impossible for 2 adults to lie down so one ends up sitting. We split our time with one lying and the other sitting. We both got more sleep sitting upright. We will never book one again and don't recommend it to anyone.

Not entirely positive. It’s frustrating that everything is done through the united app. One of our flight attendants on our trip from San Francisco to MSP continually had trouble hearing people so she flipped her hair into people’s faces

Our original flight was cancelled from SFO to AKL on 6/16/25. So we had to stay overnight at a hotel after a 12-hour layover plus 3-hour delay before the cancellation. Then had to fly to LA and then to AKL the following day losing an entire day of our vacation in NZ, that we can never get back.

Everything very good except the sofa couch not as comfortable as expected.

New Zealand crew were attentive. We were not informed that we needed transit document to pass through New Zealand. A checkin employee helped with this for which we were thankful.

There was a snafu with confirming seats at check which left us in limbo for the second leg of our trip. I believe the ANZ app is not well integrated with the systems at the terminal resulting in this disconcerting error.

The pilot tried to make up for lost time due to delays that were out of her control. She communicated the issues openly and clearly and made every effort to do what she could to alleviate issues.

The only issue is that the plane was HOT. This was not the case on my first flight so not sure why, but thankfully I had a portable fan with me. Everything else was great!

Seats were old and very uncomfortable. Coach seating is way too tight

Flight was delayed at airport with large backlog and WiFi was spotty

Flight was delayed from San Diego due to being overweight for weather conditions. We missed our connecting flight to our final destination due to the delay, as well as the connecting flight leaving before the scheduled departure time. We missed the connection within 10 - 15 minutes. We were booked on a later flight arriving 7 hours later. There were 7 passengers sharing the same originating and connecting flight.

Horrible, mismanaged ground issue resulting in a long delayed, next flight left early, waiting extra 7 hours in the airport, screen did not work

The internet on these planes stinks. Need to get starlink

Very good flight. Crew was great. No issues and we even arrived early.

Loved the crew! Sucks that we went from 1 hour and 8 minute layover to a 3 hour layover. But weather sucks like that.

Delayed flight (1hour) plus a long layover after an overnight flight with no backup plane available.

Crew was excellent. Comfort seats not as nice as other kinds of planes.

Entertainment was great. Seats were good. They did not have my pre-ordered hot food product available but did comp me something cold in place of the item.

Food was good. Clean aircraft. But why do the airlines make the seats so narrow?! Your executives should have ride in a seat so restrictive for 11 hours and see how miserable it is! When.we got to MUC they changed my boarding gate 3 times for my next flight!!!!

Flight was on time, clean, etc. Despite connecting to your wi fi I was unable to use your app to watch entertainment.

The back to back mechanical delays from Denver to San Diego and then on my return flight from Denver to Great Falls it added extra time both ways

Service was professional and quick. Premium economy seat was comfortable given the class

The staff was extremely helpful and friendly at all times! They went above and beyond to get us into an earlier flight in San Diego to make our connection in SFO possible, because our original flight did actually not make it! I did so much appreciate the UA team and how they made this possible. We also didn’t have seats together on the long flight to Singapore, but they found us seats together last moment with no additional cost! Nobody sat next to us, so that we were able to sleep! Thanks to UA for improving their service and Underpricer for booking this trip! Please be careful: 1,5 hrs for transfer in San Francisco might not be enough time in the future

Over 2.5 hour maintenance delay on first morning flight with no acknowledgement, compensation or even gesture of good will. Aircraft had overnighted at airport so issue should have been addressed prior to boarding. Over 3.5 hours before first slow and deliberate beverage service.

Complimentary light meal would be appreciated. But great flight crew service on all legs

The food was terrible this time. Otherwise pleasant, quiet, on-time.

I was in first class. The outlets at my seat did not work. The plane was shabby and run down. I had prepurchsed a day subscription for internet that was not redeemable. I had to repurchase the internet for my flight and then it didn’t work anyway. Quite disappointed in what was supposed to be the launch of a great vacation.

The people were awesome, my only complaint is the lack of business lounges

The flight attendants went out of their way to help me align everything so I can catch my connection as soon as we landed

Flight was canceled for a reason they knew hours before but did not mention. Next the gate chnage from 37 to 38 at least 10 times. Ridiculous.

I liked a lot , the flight attendant so nice ,the seat very comfortable I enjoyed the flight , I will do it again with Air Canada,

Real smooth and easy, Real good leg room in coach!

Plane was old, cabin was small, overhead bins were small, seats really uncomfortable, no seat-back entertainment

I had a disappointing experience at the San Diego airport with one of your gate agents. Despite being in Zone 4 and traveling with a standard carry-on bag that has never been an issue (30 flights in Q4 alone), the tall, blonde gentleman forced me to gate-check my bag. When I politely asked if we could verify the bag’s size, he became confrontational, even threatening to deny me boarding twice. His behavior appeared erratic and unprofessional, projecting a negative attitude onto passengers, as if he was going through something mentally. Notably, there was ample overhead space once all passengers had boarded. In contrast, the tall, older Asian agent handled the situation with professionalism and calmness, making a clear effort to de-escalate. As an avid traveler, this unnecessary inconvenience set a frustrating tone for my trip to Asia.

. Crew was professional and friendly. Food could have been hotter

Terrible. They cancelled our flight the night before. Please give me a call to discuss.

My experience was pretty frustrating because the first leg of my flight on United (though booked through Air Canada) was delayed causing me to miss my connecting flight on Air Canada. This could have been an easy solve as there was a direct flight later that morning via Air Canada that they easily could have put me on which would have only gotten me to my destination 2 1/2 hours later but because United and Air Canada don’t seem to have good communication they gave me the run around both telling me to talk with the other which I did three times to no avail. I ended up taking the delayed flight and getting on a new connecting flight which ended up getting me to my destination 6 hours later and I missed the event I was planning to go to this evening.

More options for your flight from San Diego to Australia

Complete your trip to Australia with a hotel stay or car rental