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How to get from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego

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What is the best way to travel from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego?

Looking for a trip? Compare all the available Buses and Flights for the journey to San Diego from Santa Maria, CA. Check between different modes of transportation, look for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 1 available companies to find your perfect trip!
Bus is the cheapest, while Flight is the fastest way on this route
Transport type
Travel time
Cheapest price
Average price
Daily departures
Bus
8h 30m
$52
$52
1
Flight
1h 13m
$173
$452
10

What is the cheapest way to reach San Diego from Santa Maria, CA?

You can get to San Diego with just $52 by taking a Bus from FlixBus, but you can find many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for next few days here for you.

today
tomorrow
from $175
Monday
from $227
Tuesday
Wednesday
from $173
Thursday
Friday
from $52

    Cheapest Flights tomorrow

  • Skyscanner
    1h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:18 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $175
  • Skyscanner
    1h 13m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    3:20 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $185
  • American Airlines
    16h 32m
    0
    7:09 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:41 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $224
  • American Airlines
    19h 11m
    0
    4:30 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:41 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $272
  • American Airlines
    5h 30m
    0
    6:11 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:41 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $420
  • Volaris
    4h 37m
    0
    3:11 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Volaris
    Economy
    from $434

    Cheapest Flights Monday

  • Alaska Airlines
    11h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    5:18 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $227
  • Alaska Airlines
    28h 33m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $294
  • Alaska Airlines
    12h 36m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $301
  • Alaska Airlines
    29h 41m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $314
  • Alaska Airlines
    15h 49m
    0
    4:21 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    8:10 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $786

    Cheapest Flights Wednesday

  • Skyscanner
    1h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:18 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $173
  • Skyscanner
    1h 13m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    3:20 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $183
  • Alaska Airlines
    6h 27m
    0
    4:21 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:48 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $531
  • Alaska Airlines
    6h 10m
    0
    1:05 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:15 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $548
  • United Airlines
    4h 7m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:07 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    United Airlines
    Economy
    from $551
  • Alaska Airlines
    12h 36m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $554

    Cheapest Buses Friday

  • FlixBus
    8h 30m
    0
    5:05 PM
    Santa Maria, CA
    Nicholson Ave
    1:35 AM
    San Diego
    San Ysidro Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $52
  • Cheapest Flights Friday

  • Alaska Airlines
    12h 40m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $558
  • Alaska Airlines
    13h 48m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $566
  • Volaris
    15h 15m
    0
    8:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:15 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Volaris
    Economy
    from $794
  • Aeroméxico
    13h 39m
    0
    8:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    9:39 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Aeroméxico
    Economy
    from $1,038

What are the fastest trips from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego?

You can get to San Diego from Santa Maria, CA in just 1h 13m with a Flight from Skyscanner. This is not the only option, and you can click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other modes of transportations.

today
tomorrow
from 1h 13m
Monday
from 11h 14m
Tuesday
Wednesday
from 1h 13m
Thursday
Friday
from 8h 30m

    Fastest Flights tomorrow

  • Skyscanner
    1h 13m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    3:20 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $185
  • Skyscanner
    1h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:18 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $175
  • United Airlines
    4h 22m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:22 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    United Airlines
    Economy
    from $552
  • Volaris
    4h 37m
    0
    3:11 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Volaris
    Economy
    from $434
  • American Airlines
    5h 30m
    0
    6:11 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:41 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    American Airlines
    Economy
    from $420
  • Alaska Airlines
    6h 27m
    0
    4:21 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:48 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $531

    Fastest Flights Monday

  • Alaska Airlines
    11h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    5:18 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $227
  • Alaska Airlines
    12h 36m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $301
  • Alaska Airlines
    15h 49m
    0
    4:21 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    8:10 AM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $786
  • Alaska Airlines
    28h 33m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $294
  • Alaska Airlines
    29h 41m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $314

    Fastest Flights Wednesday

  • Skyscanner
    1h 13m
    0
    2:07 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    3:20 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $183
  • Skyscanner
    1h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:18 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Skyscanner
    Economy
    from $173
  • United Airlines
    4h 7m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:07 AM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    United Airlines
    Economy
    from $551
  • Alaska Airlines
    6h 10m
    0
    1:05 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:15 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $548
  • Alaska Airlines
    6h 27m
    0
    4:21 PM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    10:48 PM
    San Diego Airport
    San Diego Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $531
  • Alaska Airlines
    11h 14m
    0
    6:04 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    5:18 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $582

    Fastest Buses Friday

  • FlixBus
    8h 30m
    0
    5:05 PM
    Santa Maria, CA
    Nicholson Ave
    1:35 AM
    San Diego
    San Ysidro Transit Center
    0
    FlixBus
    Economy
    $52
  • Fastest Flights Friday

  • Alaska Airlines
    12h 40m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    6:40 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $558
  • Aeroméxico
    13h 39m
    0
    8:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    9:39 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Aeroméxico
    Economy
    from $1,038
  • Alaska Airlines
    13h 48m
    0
    6:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    7:48 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Alaska Airlines
    Economy
    from $566
  • Volaris
    15h 15m
    0
    8:00 AM
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    San Luis Obispo County Airport
    11:15 PM
    Tijuana Airport
    Tijuana Airport
    0
    Volaris
    Economy
    from $794
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a Bus from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego

What are the most popular stations in Santa Maria, CA and San Diego?

In Santa Maria, CA, you will usually depart from Ihop, Transit Center or Bus Stop, while in San Diego you will be arriving at Santa Fe Depot, San Ysidro Transit Center or Old Town Transit Center, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.

How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience

Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to San Diego from Santa Maria, CA? With 6 connections between 1 Bus and Flight operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.

Look for the lowest price

Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, you can pay as low as $52 with a Bus from FlixBus.

Travel duration

Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Flight from Skyscanner: you will get to San Diego in just 1h 13m.

Comfort makes all the difference

You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Santa Maria, CA and San Diego are Alaska Airlines, Skyscanner and American Airlines, but be sure to check what they have to offer!

Save money with deals, and always compare

One last tip? Even if you live in Santa Maria, CA and San Diego is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Santa Maria Airport or to San Diego Airport, and look at flights from San Luis Obispo County Airport, and landing at Tijuana Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!

Which companies offer a trip from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego?

The most popular companies between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego, are Alaska Airlines, Skyscanner and American Airlines. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.

Bus companies: FlixBus

Airlines: Alaska Airlines, Skyscanner, American Airlines and 3 more.

All you need to know when you travel from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego

Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.

FAQs about the trip from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego

How can I reach San Diego from Santa Maria, CA?

Every day, there are on average 6 connections between Bus and Flight, with which you can get to San Diego from Santa Maria, CA.

How far is San Diego from Santa Maria, CA?

The distance between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego is 243.5 miles.

What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Santa Maria, CA and San Diego?

Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance. On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 11 kgs of CO2, a train 14 kgs, a car 67 kgs, and a flight 96 kgs.

What is the cheapest mode of transport from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego?

You can get to San Diego with just $52 by taking a Bus from FlixBus.

What is the fastest way to get from Santa Maria, CA to San Diego?

While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to San Diego in just 1h 13m with a Flight from Skyscanner.

More routes to Santa Maria, CA and to San Diego

Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Santa Maria, CA and to San Diego. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!

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