Route guide · 375 miles
Cheap Flights from San Diego to Monterey
SAN → MRY · Nonstop 1h 16m · Live round-trip fares
Plenty of travelers price out San Diego to Monterey every day — here's how to beat the average fare. Nonstops run about 1h 16m, and the calendar matters more than the airline. Aim to book 2–4 weeks ahead, stay flexible on the day of the week, and set a free alert so a price drop never slips past you.
Live fares for SAN → MRY are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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See live fares
Updated daily
Flight time
1h 16m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
375 mi
SAN → MRY
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
1
Alaska Airlines
Nonstop flights from San Diego to Monterey
Nonstop service links San Diego and Monterey directly — flights are flown by Alaska Airlines. Expect roughly 1h 16m in the air. If a nonstop is what you want, don't wait too long: booking 2–4 weeks ahead is when these seats are priced most kindly.
Booking insights: San Diego → Monterey
- Distance: 375 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 16m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Oct 15, with fares from $253.
- Rule of thumb for this route: the sweet spot is usually 2–4 weeks before departure.
- If your dates flex by a day or two, shifting to a midweek departure is the easiest saving there is.
- Set a free Airfare Deal alert instead of checking daily — the best fares can sell out in hours.
Price trend
Cheapest departure weeks ahead
Near-term departures around Oct 15 are currently the cheapest on this route. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.
Cheapest month · San Diego → Monterey
October 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$253
Cheapest: Tue, Oct 20 — $253 · Priciest: Oct 24 — $282
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in October 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.
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Flying from San Diego to Monterey: what you need to know
The flight
San Diego to Monterey is a short hop — 375 miles, about 1h 16m gate to gate on a nonstop. You'll spend almost as long taxiing and boarding as you will in the air, so the real time-saver on this route is picking flight times that dodge rush hour at both ends.
Airlines on this route
Alaska Airlines flies this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.
Leaving from San Diego (SAN)
Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our San Diego airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Monterey (MRY)
Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Monterey airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Monterey to San Diego fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 375 miles, booking 2–4 weeks ahead typically lands you in the sweet spot. Leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb as the cheapest seats sell out. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are where the lower fares hide on most domestic routes.
Good to know before you go
- If you're traveling with only a carry-on, you can skip the bag-drop line entirely with mobile check-in.
- Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 16m — a one-stop itinerary needs to be a lot cheaper to be worth the extra hours.
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the cheapest days on domestic routes.
- Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.
San Diego to Monterey flight FAQs
How long is the flight from SAN to MRY?
Plan on about 1h 16m in the air for a nonstop from San Diego to Monterey — the route runs roughly 375 miles. Connecting flights typically add 2–4 hours.
Are there nonstop flights from San Diego to Monterey?
Yes — look for Alaska Airlines on this route. Nonstop seats are usually priced best 2–4 weeks before departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Monterey?
Fares from San Diego to Monterey tend to ease outside the peak summer and holiday rush — the late-summer and early-fall shoulder weeks are usually kinder on the wallet. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll flag the dips for your dates.
How much are last minute flights from SAN to MRY?
Book inside the final week and you'll usually pay a premium on SAN to MRY. Fares booked 2–4 weeks ahead are almost always kinder.
What is a good round-trip deal from San Diego to Monterey?
A good deal is anything at or below the recent fares shown above. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.
Which airlines fly from San Diego to Monterey?
The main carriers on this route are Alaska Airlines. Comparing all of them on the live search below usually surfaces the lowest fare for your dates.
How early should I get to San Diego airport for this flight?
Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.
Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?
Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.
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