Flying from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tokyo: what you need to know
San Diego International Airport is located in San Diego. Based in the UTC+9 timezone, Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of San Diego.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Narita International Airport (NRT) is the most traveled route, with 7 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from SAN to NRT is with Japan Airlines at 13:30. Choose the first departure with Japan Airlines at 11:40 if you want to get going early.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from SAN to Tokyo. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Getting on a plane during a peak month like July? Popular seasons (like Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can easily add another hour at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a nonstop flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo. Begin your journey at SAN and end it at Narita International Airport (NRT).
Take to the skies with Japan Airlines. This well-known airline operates direct flights from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for flights from SAN to Tokyo, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
You don't need a visa for Japan if you have a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before locking in your flight tickets from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for up-to-date information.
The journey from central San Diego to SAN takes around 20 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 5 kilometres in 9 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near SAN:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tokyo
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo is C$459. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$952. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap tickets from SAN to Tokyo by booking 2 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
October is the cheapest month for tickets from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from SAN to Tokyo every day.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Airports in Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
Haneda Airport (HND) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Tokyo. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is about 16 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo. Book one of these accommodation options near HND instead:
Narita International Airport (NRT)
The centre of Tokyo is approximately 64 kilometres from Narita International Airport (NRT). After your flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 58 minutes.
There are some great places where you can make a pit stop near NRT. Kick back and get cozy after your flight from SAN to Tokyo at one of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Tokyo
June is the most popular month to catch a flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Tokyo, consider your preferred travel pace and style.
The warmest month in Tokyo is August, with the temperature ranging between 26ºC and 29ºC. Lock in your flights from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from SAN to Tokyo in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 15ºC and 20ºC on average.
More about Tokyo
Start your Tokyo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo, check out our selection of hotels including:
Tokyo Tower and Senso-ji Temple Yogodo are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Tokyo itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Mag's Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing.
Complete your Tokyo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from San Diego International Airport to Tokyo to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you everything you need to know about car rentals in Tokyo, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.