Cheap Flights from Philadelphia International (PHL) to San Diego (SANA)

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Flight deals from Philadelphia International to San Diego

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Philadelphia International to San Diego? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia International to San Diego

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Philadelphia International to San Diego flights are currently cheapest in February.

Direct flights from Philadelphia International to San Diego

Alternative Philadelphia International to San Diego routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Philadelphia International to San Diego? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Philadelphia to San Diego: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found£138
Cheapest month to flyFebruary
Average flight time5 hrs, 58 mins
Most popular airlineAmerican Airlines
Average flights per week43

Finding cheap flights from Philadelphia International to San Diego: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in San Diego: San Diego International and McClellan-Palomar.
The best price we found for a return flight from Philadelphia International to San Diego is £138. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
5 hours and 58 minutes is the average flight time from Philadelphia International to San Diego.
American Airlines, Qatar Airways and Iberia fly direct from Philadelphia International to San Diego.
As of January 2026, there are 90 flights per week flying from Philadelphia International to San Diego.
The cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia International to San Diego is usually February.
If you're flying from Philadelphia International Airport, the cheapest airport near San Diego is San Diego International – which is 2.5 miles away from the centre of San Diego. We've found flights into this airport from £138.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 5 hours and 58 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to San Diego but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to San Diego is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In January, the average temperature is usually around 13°C. August is typically the warmest month in San Diego, when it usually averages around 28°C. You can expect the least rain in June. The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging 10°C. The rainiest month is February.
Currently, Frontier Airlines and American Airlines offer the cheapest flight tickets to San Diego.

Travelling from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Diego: what you need to know

  • Around 5 hours 15 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego.

  • San Diego is three hours behind Philadelphia, where Philadelphia International Airport is located. San Diego observes the UTC-7 timezone.

  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the most traveled route, with 20 departures a week to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from PHL to SAN is with American Airlines at 19:10. Choose the first departure operated by American Airlines at 08:14 if you want to get on your way earlier.

  • Allow plenty of time to make your PHL to San Diego flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • Heading away during a peak time like school or public holidays? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.

  • You can book a direct Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego ticket. Start your trip at PHL and end it at San Diego International Airport (SAN).

  • American Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego.

  • The journey from central Philadelphia to PHL takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 7 miles in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.

  • Looking for a hotel close to PHL? If you've booked an early flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:

  • Of the flights that depart from Philadelphia International Airport, 78.93% arrive on time at their destination.

  • The address for PHL is 8500 Essington Ave.

How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to San Diego

  • £63 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego flight. A return ticket right now is £138. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.

  • To snag cheap flights from PHL to San Diego, book your trip one month before your planned departure.

  • Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across each month.

  • There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from PHL to San Diego.

  • Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'

Airports in San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  • The distance from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego is roughly 3 miles. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the centre driving.

  • It'll take around 20 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.

  • If you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near SAN:

  • Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Diego and beyond.

  • Get the best deal by reserving your ride from San Diego International Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from PHL to San Diego.

  • The street address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

  • Once your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central San Diego is roughly 35 miles from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).

  • The journey will take about 2 hours 15 minutes on public transport.

  • There are some comfortable places ready to welcome you near CLD. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your PHL to San Diego flight at one of these perfectly located options:

  • The fastest way to reach your destination is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and get going in the blink of an eye.

  • Usually, the earlier you book, the better the prices and selection of vehicles. Secure your ride from CLD as soon as you know your dates.

Best time to go to San Diego

  • Before scheduling your flights from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in San Diego offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season brings cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.

  • When booking your Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego plane ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).

  • For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from PHL to San Diego in February when temperatures average between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).

More about San Diego

  • When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in San Diego right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Philadelphia International Airport to San Diego:

  • Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. USS Midway Museum, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are must-visits when exploring San Diego.

Explore more of United States

  • Los Angeles is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered after you've experienced San Diego. Around 110 miles away to the north-west, top sights here include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

  • If you're looking to explore another corner of United States, consider Phoenix, about 300 miles east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are key highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.