Cheap flights from San Diego to Columbus

Roundtrip selected
Roundtrip selected
origin
Enter the city you're flying from, or choose from the options below
Include nearby airports
    selected
    destination
    . Enter your destination, or choose from the options below
    Include nearby airports
      selected
      Travelers and cabin class, 1 Adult, Economy
      Southwest Airlines

      Compare San Diego to Columbus flight deals

      Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Columbus

      Book the best Columbus fare with no extra fees

      Flight deals from San Diego to Columbus

      Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from San Diego to Columbus? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $210. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.
      How did we find these deals? The deals you see here are the lowest prices for flight tickets from San Diego to Columbus found in the last 12 days, and are subject to change and availability.

      Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Columbus

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

      Direct flights from San Diego to Columbus

      Southwest Airlines

      Alternative San Diego to Columbus routes

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

      San Diego to Columbus: Flight information

      The things to know before you go.
      Cheapest flight found$210
      Cheapest month to flyOctober
      Average flight time4 hrs, 13 mins
      Most popular airlineSouthwest Airlines
      Average flights per week4

      Finding cheap flights from San Diego to Columbus: Frequently asked questions

      There are 2 airports in Columbus: Port Columbus and Columbus Rickenbacker.
      The best price we found for a round-trip flight from San Diego to Columbus is $210. 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.
      4 hours and 13 minutes is the average flight time from San Diego to Columbus.
      Southwest Airlines flies direct from San Diego to Columbus.
      There are 8 flights per week flying from San Diego to Columbus, as of September 2026.
      The cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Columbus is usually October.
      If you're flying from San Diego, the cheapest airport near Columbus is Port Columbus – which is 10.8 km away from the center of Columbus. We've found flights to this airport from $210.
      After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from San Diego to Columbus on Friday, October 23, 2026.
      Yes – the average flight time is 4 hours and 13 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 Columbus 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 Columbus is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

      In September, the average temperature is usually around 20°C. July is typically the warmest month in Columbus, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -4°C. The rainiest month is May.
      The cheapest airline that flies to Columbus is Frontier Airlines, and the cheapest airline that flies to Columbus Rickenbacker Airport is Southwest Airlines.

      Flying from San Diego to Columbus: what you need to know

      • Many great adventures start at one of San Diego's main airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Explore the options for booking a flight from San Diego to Columbus leaving from either of these.

      • When it comes to landing in Columbus, Port Columbus Airport (CMH) is a key hub. Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK) is another.

      • Book a direct San Diego to Columbus flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 4 hours 20 minutes.

      • Columbus's timezone is UTC-5, making Columbus three hours ahead of San Diego.

      • The most popular route for flights from San Diego to Columbus is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Port Columbus Airport (CMH). Choose from three services every week between these two airports. If you want to maximize your time on arrival, the earliest flight from SAN to CMH is the 08:40 Southwest Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 14:15 with Southwest Airlines.

      • For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your San Diego to Columbus flight.

      • During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.

      How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Columbus

      • Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap San Diego to Columbus flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.

      • If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price in each month when looking for your plane ticket from San Diego to Columbus.

      • Finding a cheap flight from San Diego to Columbus is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.

      • Find an affordable San Diego to Columbus flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.

      Flying from San Diego

      San Diego International Airport (SAN)

      • You can book a direct flight from San Diego to Columbus taking off from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Begin your journey at SAN and touch down at Port Columbus Airport (CMH).

      • Keep an eye out for promotions with Southwest Airlines. This carrier offers direct San Diego to Columbus plane tickets from SAN.

      • The journey from central San Diego to SAN takes around 25 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 5 kilometers in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

      • Need a handy hotel close to San Diego International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from San Diego to Columbus, these stays will put you moments from check-in:

      • 74% of flights leaving from San Diego International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.

      • You'll find SAN at N Harbor Dr.

      Arriving in Columbus

      Port Columbus Airport (CMH)

      • Port Columbus Airport (CMH) to central Columbus takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 10 kilometers away.

      • When traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 40 minutes.

      • Consider booking a hotel close to CMH if you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Columbus. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:

      • Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Port Columbus Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Alamo, Budget or Avis to explore Columbus and beyond.

      • To get the lowest possible price, book your ride from Port Columbus Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead. Prices typically increase closer to your day of departure.

      • CMH is located at 4600 International Gateway.

      Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK)

      • The center of Columbus is located around 16 kilometers from Columbus Rickenbacker Airport (LCK). Once your flight from San Diego to Columbus has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 25 minutes.

      • The trip will take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport.

      • Baymont by Wyndham Columbus/Rickenbacker is one accommodation option within an easy drive of LCK. Check in here after your flight from San Diego to Columbus and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign for some uninterrupted rest.

      Best time to go to Columbus

      • March is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to Columbus, while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to visit Columbus based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.

      • Lock in a San Diego to Columbus ticket departing in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Columbus to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).

      • January has average temperatures of between -11ºC (12ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF). Search for cheap flights from San Diego to Columbus around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.

      More about Columbus

      • When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Columbus right here. Browse these hotels once you've locked in your flight from San Diego to Columbus:

      • There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Park of Roses and Ohio Theatre are top attractions which should feature on every Columbus itinerary.

      Explore more of the United States

      • Columbus has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be explored. Around 451 kilometers northwest of Columbus, a visit to Chicago will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and Willis Tower.

      • Around 274 kilometers west of Columbus, Indianapolis is another essential stop in the United States. No visit is complete without checking out Lucas Oil Stadium, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

      Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.