SBA - SAN

$69 Find Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego departing on 5/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Diego

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Santa Barbara to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Santa Barbara to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
Travelers love KAYAK
41,299,237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

Save 24% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track pricesNot ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Bundle and saveSave money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$137
Typical prices: $531-$217
Alaska Airlines
Tue 5/19Wed 5/20
SBA - SAN • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$69
Typical prices: $78-$157
Alaska Airlines
Tue 5/19
SBA - SAN • Non-stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $137 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.9 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines. Average duration is 1h 03m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego (SBA-SAN)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Tue, May 19 - Wed, May 20
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 7:03 am
SBA
-
SAN
1h 03mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:39 pm - 11:55 pm
SAN
-
SBA
1h 16mnonstop
$137Alaska Airlines
Wed, May 20 - Wed, May 20
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 9:58 am
SBA
-
SAN
3h 58m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
6:05 pm - 11:44 pm
SAN
-
SBA
5h 39m
1 stop
$152United Airlines
Tue, May 19 - Wed, May 20
United Airlines Logo
4:15 pm - 10:37 pm
SBA
-
SAN
6h 22m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
6:05 pm - 11:44 pm
SAN
-
SBA
5h 39m
1 stop
$157United Airlines
Sat, Sep 12 - Tue, Sep 15
Southwest Logo
10:40 am - 11:35 am
SBA
-
SAN
0h 55mnonstop
Southwest Logo
4:10 pm - 5:05 pm
SAN
-
SBA
0h 55mnonstop
$164Southwest
Mon, May 11 - Tue, May 12
Southwest Logo
4:10 pm - 9:10 pm
SBA
-
SAN
5h 00m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
6:30 pm - 10:50 pm
SAN
-
SBA
4h 20m
1 stop
$174Southwest
Sat, May 30 - Sun, May 31
Alaska Airlines Logo
4:01 pm - 5:03 pm
SBA
-
SAN
1h 02mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
1:15 pm - 2:29 pm
SAN
-
SBA
1h 14mnonstop
$177Alaska Airlines
Sat, Sep 12 - Tue, Sep 15
Southwest Logo
5:30 am - 11:15 am
SBA
-
SAN
5h 45m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
4:10 pm - 5:05 pm
SAN
-
SBA
0h 55mnonstop
$179Southwest
Fri, May 29 - Sat, May 30
Southwest Logo
4:10 pm - 10:30 pm
SBA
-
SAN
6h 20m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:20 pm - 9:05 pm
SAN
-
SBA
3h 45m
1 stop
$188Southwest
Sat, Sep 12 - Tue, Sep 15
Southwest Logo
5:30 am - 11:15 am
SBA
-
SAN
5h 45m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
5:30 pm - 9:20 pm
SAN
-
SBA
3h 50m
1 stop
$189Southwest
Wed, May 27 - Fri, May 29
Southwest Logo
5:30 am - 8:55 am
SBA
-
SAN
3h 25m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
6:50 pm - 11:25 pm
SAN
-
SBA
4h 35m
1 stop
$190Southwest
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Santa Barbara to San Diego flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

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

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego departing in May.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to San Diego on a Wednesday and more expensive on a Saturday. On your return trip to Santa Barbara, you should consider flying back on a Friday, and avoid Thursdays for better deals.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $217, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

Good to know

Low seasonMarch
Cheapest flight$69
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 45% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 2% increase in price.
Flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego

When to book flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Santa Barbara 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
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego

  • Can I reserve a long-term parking spot at SBA?

    No, SBA Parking does not accept reservations. The Long-Term Parking Lot is located across the street from the terminal, but it tends to have limited space. If this lot is full, use the Economy Lot on Lopez Road, where you can catch a shuttle to the Santa Barbara Airport terminals about every 15 minutes.

  • Does SBA have private facilities for nursing moms?

    Yes, if you are a traveling mom who would like to breastfeed in private or who needs to pump before your flight to San Diego, you can use the Mamava lactation suite located airside at Gate 2 of the SBA terminal. This freestanding unit features seating, a table, a USB port, an electrical outlet, a coat hook, and a mirror.

  • Can I rent a car at the San Diego Airport?

    Yes. You will find all rental car agencies are housed outside the airport in the Rental Car Center, in a separate building. When you exit baggage claim at the Arrivals curb, you can get a free shuttle to your car agency. Some agencies at SAN are Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Firefly, and others.

  • Where is the USO at the San Diego Airport?

    The USO at the San Diego Airport is located landside in Terminal 2. This military lounge offers its services and facilities free of charge to active duty members of the US military and their families. Some amenities of this lounge are refreshments, comfortable seating, TV, showers, unlimited domestic telephone calls, and more.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego was $69 for a one-way ticket and $137 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Santa Barbara and San Diego?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Santa Barbara to San Diego. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Santa Barbara to San Diego flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Santa Barbara to San Diego flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    Star Alliance, and oneworld are the airline alliances operating flights between Santa Barbara and San Diego, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    There are nonstop flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Alaska Airlines or United Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego are Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. With an average price for the route of $162 and an overall rating of 7.9, Alaska Airlines is the most popular choice. United Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $476 and an overall rating of 7.4.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Diego from Santa Barbara is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Diego with an airline and back to Santa Barbara with another airline. Booking your flights between Santa Barbara and SAN can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Diego from Santa Barbara up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $89 or less one-way and $217 or less round-trip.
  • Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is located in the city of Goleta, California, just north of Santa Barbara. The San Diego International Airport (SAN) is also located on the Pacific coast, but further south in California, just a few miles north of the US-Mexican border. (SAN) serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and others.
  • Flying from SBA to SAN, it's unlikely that you will find a non-stop flight. However, you can find several flights with one stop. For instance, an American Airlines flight stops in Phoenix, United flights often stop in San Francisco, and Alaska Airlines flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego often stop in Seattle.
  • If you want to stay overnight near the Santa Barbara Airport before your flight to San Diego, consider booking into the Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Barbara / Goleta or the Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara / Goleta. Under 5min from SBA, these hotels feature free breakfast, a restaurant, wheelchair accessibility, a business center, gym, and pool.
  • If you want to relax and unwind before you head out into San Diego, you can visit one of the Be Relax Spas at SAN. You can find these spas at Gate 26 and 36 in Terminal 2. these retail spa outlets are open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.
  • The volunteer organization Traveler’s Aid is available at SAN every day from 8 am to 11 pm in baggage claim. Travelers Aid can assist passengers who unexpectedly need someplace to stay, need transportation, have had money lost or stolen, or other calamities.

Prefer to fly direct from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
Find which airlines fly direct from Santa Barbara Airport to San Diego Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Santa Barbara to San Diego

Monday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to Santa Barbara

Monday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top airlines flying from Santa Barbara to San Diego

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Santa Barbara to San Diego? 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.
7.9
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 12279 reviews
8.1Boarding
8.5Crew
7.8Comfort
7.0Entertainment
7.0Food
Airline reviews

The seat on the plane out was broken and would not lean back. I have back problems and sitting up straight was hard on my lower back and caused pain for over half the flight. Since I paid extra for First Class so I would not have these issues. This needs to be addressed.

6.0 GoodTerence, Apr 2026
TPA - SAN
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

The seat on the plane out was broken and would not lean back. I have back problems and sitting up straight was hard on my lower back and caused pain for over half the flight. Since I paid extra for First Class so I would not have these issues. This needs to be addressed.

No headphones provided. No gf food. Only 1 beverage cart run sAN to HNL. Rarely saw crew members

A solidly good experience, but would’ve appreciated more communication with regards to travel delays.

No issues and clear sailing. What a preferred to have sat in one of empty seats other than my assigned seat that would be my only complaint if it was to complain.

Perpetually delayed, flight out was delayed almost 2 hours, flight home was delayed an hour and a half. On the way back no refreshments as an option, yet they gave it out to 1st class. No apology or notice of the delay going out both ways. Seats are nice feature wise, but the adjustable headrests don't stay up anymore. Feels more like a budget airline

Four hour delay. Missed our event. And they offered me $75. Absolutely shameful.

I have been flying commercial for decades. I was in one of the ladder boarding groups, had my bag tagged because they thought there was not going to be enough space for it in the overhead bins. I politely asked one of the attendance if I could try to find a space- she said I could and I did. I then took the bag tag off and gave it to one of the other attendants as I was told to do by the first one. He, in a curt, anal, and disrespectful manner, told me that I needed to take my bag down from the overhead bin and check it. This was a situation I’ve never encountered before. The attendant’s attitude was confrontational and belittling in front of other onlooking passengers as if daring me to challenge him. I am a physician who takes care of patients day in and day out. Not wanting to make a scene, I calmly told him, “do what you need to do.” he took my bag down from the overhead bin, put the back tag back on it, and checked it only to make room for another bag that was also supposed to be technically checked by a following passenger. The same male attendant later came up to me and said “you shouldn’t have showed me the bag tag,” as if conveying that he was just following protocol was a justification for treating me like a kid out of line. I cared about this because it took 15 minutes from my life to then retrieve the bag at baggage claim and it also felt like really poor customer service. I understand the need for protocols. This is also a service industry, and we the passengers are the clients. We should be made to feel welcome and respected and our life in transit made as easy as it can be within reason. This attendant clearly needs to be reminded of that. Of note, an older female fellow passenger sitting next to me agreed with this assessment.

The boarding process could be clearer, there's never a call for group f

good, no complaints but nothing to rave about. It was fine

I love Alaska! We arrived on the later side without seat assignments only to find the had oversold the flight by 1. The attendants worked extra hard to find a way for our party of 7 to stay together and we made it on the flight! Loved the free WiFi also!

The crew was great. Very friendly and responsive. The plane was old, small and tight. We ran out of overhead space and I had to check. Middle seat was particularly tight.

The flight was delayed from take off because only one runway was operational in San Francisco.

Several missed and almost missed connections. It felt like everything was being patched together last minute without enough resources and it ended up being an extremely stressful experience that basically ruined our weekend on the west coast. What a waste.

Packed in plane small uncomfortable seats elbow to elbow nobody wants to be in that situation for the money they paid

Checking in united could not figure out my star alliance gold. Baggage did not get marked priority and didn't receive boarding passes. When got to SFO lounge personal fixed everything Immediately

Flight left on time, arrived early, pleasant staff provided water, coffee, etc. access to bathrooms was reasonable and were well maintained. blankets were available, lots of entertainment options. LUGGAGE SERVICE WAS GREAT. I got my one checked bag quickly and was able to make a bus connection for a 2 hour bus ride saving me from waiting another 1.5 hours.

Terrible, if possible won't be flying again anytime soon!

Wonderful in-seat entertainment with seatback screens and huge selection of quality movies. The ability to bluetooth connect headphones was amazing.

Horrible service no Wi-Fi connection on both leg of the flight and they are refusing to fix bad service

I will never fly ANA again. They lost one of my large pieces of checked luggage, the heaviest one with the most valuable items in it, and they said they will not send me an email unless they can't find it, even though the paper they gave me to track the status of my lost luggage requires a code from an email they are supposed to send me so I can do baggage tracing. They claim to be an international airline, but they also insist on calling a Japanese telephone number to confirm where to send the lost baggage if they find it. It is impossible to find an actual contact email address for customer support on their website, and their AI chatbot is unhelpful, directing you to a webpage that says it is for contact information but does not have any actual email addresses or phone numbers listed on it. My seat in economy did not recline at all, even though I was not sitting in an exit row nor the very back row. I had to sit in the fully upright position for over ten hours of international travel. Awful experience overall.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Information on your arrival and departure airports