Flying from Denver to San Diego: what you need to know
All great adventures start from Denver's main airport, Denver International Airport (DEN). Explore your options for reserving a flight from Denver to San Diego leaving from this base.
When it comes to arriving in San Diego, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a primary hub. Another is McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
A direct flight from Denver to San Diego takes an average of 2 hours 23 minutes. The timezone in San Diego is UTC-7, meaning it's 1 hour behind Denver.
With 123 flights a week between the two airports, Denver International Airport (DEN) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Denver to San Diego with Frontier Airlines at 05:01. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the last departure from DEN to SAN is with United Airlines at 21:05.
To ensure you get on your flight from Denver to San Diego, 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 standard rule.
If you're jetting off during a major holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
After booking your cheap flights from Denver to San Diego, get your documents in order. A visa or passport isn't required since you're travelling within United States. As long as you have some other valid form of identification, like an ID card or driver's licence, you're ready to go.
Flying from Denver
Denver International Airport (DEN)
If you're after a direct flight from Denver to San Diego, you can depart from Denver International Airport (DEN). Get from DEN to San Diego International Airport (SAN) in one seamless journey.
If you plan to leave from DEN, you can take a direct flight from Denver to San Diego with United Airlines.
We make it simple to book a flight from Denver to San Diego that includes a stopover. To see your options leaving from Denver International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Denver, DEN can be reached in about 34 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Staying the night at a hotel can take the stress out of arriving at the airport on time. If you're looking for a place to stay before your flight from Denver to San Diego, consider SpringHill Suites Denver Airport. It's a quick drive from Denver International Airport.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego is approximately 5 kilometres. It'll take you around 9 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 20 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Denver to San Diego. Reserve one of these accommodation options near SAN instead:
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
Central San Diego is located around 56 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). As soon as your flight from Denver to San Diego has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 39 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 2 hours and 14 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Denver to San Diego, tuck yourself in at a hotel near CLD. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Denver to San Diego
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Denver to San Diego is 27 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 53 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
Score cheap tickets from Denver to San Diego by booking 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Denver to San Diego. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from Denver to San Diego every day.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Denver to San Diego.
Best time to go to San Diego
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Denver to San Diego. July is the busiest month to visit San Diego. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
Before locking in your flight from Denver to San Diego, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC to 28ºC.
February sees average temperatures of between 7ºC and 23ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Denver to San Diego sometime then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
Start your San Diego trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Denver to San Diego, check out our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are highlights which should feature on every San Diego itinerary.
Complete your San Diego trip with a car rental
Discover our range of car rentals once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Denver to San Diego. Whether you're looking for an economy ride, a standard vehicle or even something that'll turn heads, you can compare companies in one go to get the best deal.