Flying from San Jose to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Get your trip started at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), the main airport in San Jose. Search for flights from San Jose to Los Angeles that leave from this terminal.
When it comes to landing in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a primary hub. Another is Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
A direct flight from San Jose to Los Angeles takes on average 1 hour 22 minutes. Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-7 — the same as San Jose.
With 132 weekly flights between the two airports, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from San Jose to Los Angeles with Spirit Airlines at 06:00. If you're keen to get more out of your day before leaving, the last departure from SJC to LAX is with Spirit Airlines at 21:24.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from San Jose to Los Angeles.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow even more breathing space. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
You won't need a visa or passport to fly within United States. You will need a valid identity document however, like an ID card or driver's licence. Add them to your packing list once you've booked your cheap flights from San Jose to Los Angeles.
Flying from San Jose
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
If you're after a direct flight from San Jose to Los Angeles, you can board one at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). Fly from SJC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in one continuous trip.
At SJC, there's a range of carriers operating direct flights from San Jose to Los Angeles, including:
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from San Jose to Los Angeles. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Travelling from central San Jose to SJC takes about 44 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 12 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a handy hotel near Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from San Jose to Los Angeles, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is around 32 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 54 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near LAX if you're catching a late flight from San Jose to Los Angeles. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. Once you've disembarked your flight from San Jose to Los Angeles, allow for a drive time of approximately 34 minutes to get to the heart of the city.
Public transport will get you there in approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes.
After your flight from San Jose to Los Angeles, rest your head at a hotel near VNY. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Jose to Los Angeles
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Jose to Los Angeles is C$39. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$79. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap flights from San Jose to Los Angeles by booking 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from San Jose to Los Angeles. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap flights from San Jose to Los Angeles. You don't need to check every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll notify you as soon as the price changes.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from San Jose to Los Angeles.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from San Jose to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to visit Los Angeles based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Schedule your flight from San Jose to Los Angeles for August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
February has average temperatures of between 6ºC and 26ºC. Look for cheap flights from San Jose to Los Angeles sometime then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Los Angeles right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from San Jose to Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory and The Broad are just two of the top-rated attractions to put on your Los Angeles travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Complete your Los Angeles trip with a car rental
Browse our lineup of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from San Jose to Los Angeles. Whether you want a compact ride, roomy sedan or something that makes a statement, you can easily compare companies in one go to find the perfect deal.
