SAN - CMH

$105 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to Columbus - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$238
Typical prices: $317-$488
Frontier
Sun 11/25Sat 12/1
SAN - CMH • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$351
Typical prices: $446-$717
Southwest
Mon 11/12Wed 11/21
SAN - CMH • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Southwest. Average duration is 4h 10m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 67% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 26 weeks in advance save around 40% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 21% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $320 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 52m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

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

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to Columbus

Wed, Nov 25 - Tue, Dec 1
Frontier Logo
5:29 pm - 5:58 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
21h 29m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
3:55 pm - 8:10 amCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
43h 15m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$238Frontier
Sat, Dec 5 - Tue, Dec 8
Frontier Logo
8:57 am - 4:47 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
28h 50m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
12:43 pm - 11:58 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
14h 15m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Denver Intl
$243Frontier
Wed, Dec 16 - Thu, Dec 24
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:15 am - 8:34 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
10h 19m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:33 pm - 11:58 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
10h 25m1 stop Denver Intl
$243Multiple Airlines
Tue, Dec 8 - Tue, Dec 15
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:22 pm - 6:27 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
26h 05m1 stop Raleigh-Durham
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:53 pm - 11:58 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
14h 05m2 stops Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Denver Intl
$263Multiple Airlines
Thu, Nov 12 - Sat, Nov 21
Southwest Logo
1:10 pm - 8:20 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
4h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
4:45 pm - 6:35 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
4h 50mnonstop
$351Southwest
Fri, Nov 13 - Tue, Nov 17
Southwest Logo
1:10 pm - 8:20 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
4h 10mnonstop
Southwest Logo
7:00 am - 11:50 amCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 50m1 stop Dallas Love Field
$358Southwest
Wed, Nov 25 - Tue, Dec 15
United Airlines Logo
2:08 pm - 11:44 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
6h 36m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 11:21 amCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
8h 21m1 stop Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
$365United Airlines
Wed, Nov 25 - Wed, Dec 2
United Airlines Logo
2:08 pm - 11:44 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
6h 36m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
3:38 pm - 8:08 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
7h 30m1 stop Los Angeles
$365United Airlines
Wed, Dec 16 - Thu, Dec 24
American Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 6:44 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
7h 44m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
7:47 pm - 11:45 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
6h 58m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$366American Airlines
Tue, Jan 5 - Wed, Jan 20
American Airlines Logo
11:16 am - 9:26 pmSAN  San Diego-CMH Columbus
7h 10m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
1:38 pm - 7:36 pmCMH  Columbus-SAN San Diego
8h 58m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$367American Airlines
Booking Insights

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

Round-trip flights from San Diego to Columbus Airport typically range from $317 to $488. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $238, on Frontier.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Columbus Airport. It’s 15% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 22% higher.

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

•January is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Columbus Airport at $314 round-trip.
•June ($462) and October ($456) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 47% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

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

Flights from San Diego to Columbus Airport are cheapest 26 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 40% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Diego to Columbus Airport flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$105
Beat the crowds with an average 24% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 23% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Diego to Columbus Airport

When to book flights from San Diego to Columbus

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

Your San Diego to Columbus Airport 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 San Diego to Columbus Airport?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 12:35 pm and lands at 4:45 pm
    • Latest: departs at 3:15 pm and lands at 7:25 pm.

    The flight takes about 4h 10m.

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

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

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

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

    A nonstop flight from San Diego to Columbus Airport takes 4h 10m, covering 1,959 miles.

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

    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 San Diego to Columbus Airport flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to Columbus Airport range from $317 to $488, with an average of $399 over the past 12 months. Anything below $317 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 15% above the $399 route average. Book 26 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $320 round-trip via Denver Intl (DEN), compared to $577 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from San Diego to Columbus Airport?

    Southwest is the only airline operating San Diego to Columbus Airport flights. 67% of its flights are on time.

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

    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 San Diego to Columbus Airport?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Southwest and Alaska Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

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

    JetBlue is the only airline on the San Diego to Columbus Airport route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

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

    One-way fares from San Diego to Columbus Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $168, which is 20% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Columbus Airport (CMH)?

    Columbus Airport (CMH) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $78 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Payless
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
    • Thrifty

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

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

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San Diego to Columbus Airport?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Diego to Columbus Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Diego to Columbus Airport route, 33% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 28m.

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

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

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 25% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 20% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 12% of one-stop connections
    • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 12% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 31% on flights from San Diego to Columbus Airport. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $340 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $488, a difference of $148.

    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 San Diego to Columbus Airport?

    Only Southwest operates flights between San Diego and Columbus Airport.

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

    Flying via Chicago Midway (MDW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 52m, compared with 6h 56m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 7h 01m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL).

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

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Columbus Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Columbus Airport are Greater Columbus Convention Center, Ohio Stadium and Nationwide Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Columbus Airport on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Diego to Columbus Airport 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 San Diego to Columbus Airport 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
    • 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 is the luggage allowance on Delta flights from San Diego to Columbus?

    Except for Basic Economy fares, Delta usually allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item. The carry-on bag should fit in the overhead bin and should not exceed 22 × 14 × 9 in. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and should not exceed 18 in x 14 in x 8 in. Checked bags are subject to a fee depending on the weight and the number of bags.

  • What services does Spirit Airlines offer for economy passengers on flights from San Diego to Columbus?

    There are no seat back screens or in-flight entertainment systems on Spirit Airlines flights. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own devices to watch movies, listen to music, or play games on flights from San Diego to Columbus. Passengers can purchase snacks and drinks on board, including alcoholic beverages. There are also combo meal and snack options available for purchase.

  • How do I get from Columbus Airport (CMH) to the city center?

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available outside the terminal, and a ride to the city center takes around 10–20 minutes. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) operates a bus line that runs between the airport and the city center. The bus runs every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the time of day. Tickets can be purchased with cash when boarding the bus, or with a credit card or smartphone through the COTA app.

  • What seat selection option is available on American Airlines flights from San Diego to Columbus?

    American Airlines offers several seat selection options that vary depending on the type of ticket purchased for flights from San Diego to Columbus. No advanced seat selection is allowed for Basic Economy passengers. Seats are assigned at check-in, and there may be limited or no availability for choosing seats together with travel companions. Advanced seat selection is available for Main Cabin passengers.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Columbus Airport 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 Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $340, about $148 less than Monday fares (30% 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 40% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to Columbus Airport trip for January. Fares historically average $314 round-trip in that month - typically $148 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 Denver Intl Airport (DEN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $320 round-trip on this route - about $257 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 Columbus Airport.

    • Days Inn by Wyndham Columbus Airport
    • Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport
    • Hampton Inn Columbus-International Airport
  • JetBlue offers Family Boarding, which allows families with children under the age of 12 to board the plane before general boarding. Families can also choose seats together so that parents can sit with their children on flights from San Diego (SAN) to Columbus (CMH).
  • United offers flights from San Diego to Columbus and has committed to sourcing 100 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over the next decade. The use of SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.
  • Flights from San Diego to Columbus have layovers in a number of different cities depending on which airline you choose. Some of these cities include Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), and Dallas (DFW).
  • San Diego Airport (SAN) has a single terminal building, which is divided into three sections: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 East, and Terminal 2 West. These terminals are connected by a landside terminal roadway and an airside pedestrian bridge.
  • Frontier Airlines allows small pets to travel with their owners in the cabin of the plane for flights from San Diego to Columbus. The pet must be able to fit comfortably in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, and only one pet per passenger is allowed.

Prefer to fly direct from San Diego to Columbus?

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

Direct departures

San Diego to Columbus

Monday

Southwest

Southwest

Tuesday

Southwest

Southwest

Wednesday

Southwest

Southwest

Thursday

Southwest

Southwest

Friday

Southwest

Southwest

Saturday

Southwest

Southwest

Sunday

Southwest

Southwest

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Columbus to San Diego

Monday

Southwest

Southwest

Tuesday

Southwest

Southwest

Wednesday

Southwest

Southwest

Thursday

Southwest

Southwest

Friday

Southwest

Southwest

Saturday

Southwest

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Sunday

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See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Diego to Columbus

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