Flying from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sacramento: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento and you'll be traveling for around 1 hour 35 minutes.
Sacramento and San Diego (where San Diego International Airport is located) are both in the UTC-8 timezone. This means there's no time difference to consider.
The busiest route is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF). You can select from 90 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SAN to SMF is the 06:30 Southwest Airlines option. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 21:59 with Alaska Airlines.
For a relaxed start to your SAN to Sacramento flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Begin your trip at SAN and travel nonstop to Sacramento International Airport (SMF). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for San Diego International Airport to Sacramento tickets.
Southwest Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento.
Located around 3 kilometers from central San Diego, SAN can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
Searching for a hotel near SAN? If you've booked an early flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Diego International Airport, data shows 74% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
SAN is located at N Harbor Dr.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sacramento
The best price we've found for a one-way San Diego International Airport to Sacramento flight is AED 222. The cheapest price for a return flight is AED 502. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from SAN to Sacramento, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights are first released.
Finding cheap tickets from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest fares across every month and snap up an incredible deal.
Locking in a cheap flight from SAN to Sacramento is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Find a cheap flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
The distance from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to central Sacramento is roughly 19 kilometers. It'll take you about 20 minutes to get to the center driving.
Getting to the center by public transport typically takes 50 minutes.
Consider staying at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas by IHG after touching down from your flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento. It's a short drive from SMF and a great option if you're eager to rest right after your journey.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Sacramento International Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from SAN to Sacramento.
You'll find SMF at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK)
Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) is around 72 kilometers from central Sacramento. Once you've disembarked your flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento, it'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're traveling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Put your feet up at a hotel not long after your SAN to Sacramento flight. Holiday Inn Express Stockton Southeast by IHG and Hampton Inn by Hilton Stockton are easy to reach from SCK.
You can find Stockton Metropolitan Airport at 5000 South Airport Way, Room 202.
Best time to go to Sacramento
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento. July is the most popular month to visit Sacramento. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in December.
The warmest month in Sacramento is July, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 39ºC (102ºF). Book your San Diego International Airport to Sacramento plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 17ºC (63ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SAN to Sacramento around that time if you like traveling in cooler conditions.
More about Sacramento
Start your Sacramento trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Diego International Airport to Sacramento, browse our selection of hotels including:
All great vacations should include some sightseeing. Old Sacramento State Historic Park, California State Railroad Museum and Crocker Art Museum are essential stops on your Sacramento itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
San Jose is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen Sacramento. Around 145 kilometers away to the south, top sights here include Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.
Around 121 kilometers southwest of Sacramento, San Francisco is another essential stop in the United States. No visit is complete without checking out Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.