San Diego from Austin, Oct 23–25: $1,138 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- Fare is $430 per person, $22 below the typical fare
- Clear forecast all weekend, highs 74–87°F, rain chance 14% or less
- Private double downtown, rated 8.6 from 1,561 reviews, free cancellation
The catch: The flight has one stop on Frontier, takes 5h 35m and lands at 11:56 PM Friday, and a checked bag is about $240 for two.
Worth it if you want a sunny, walkable weekend for two on a sensible budget; skip it if a late one-stop arrival or a hostel room is a dealbreaker.
Worth it if a one-stop flight works for you: $1,138 for two, all in, covers the Frontier fare at $860 plus HI San Diego Downtown Hostel at $248 and its $30 fee at the property, with taxes and fees included. That's 2 nights, Oct 23–25, 2026, on Frontier with one stop and 5h 35m of travel from Austin. A checked bag and spending money are not in the total.
The total, before you go
$1,138 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $860 |
| HI San Diego Downtown Hostel, 2 nights, two guests, taxes in | $248 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | $30 |
| The total, before you go | $1,138 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $240 |
$22 per person below the typical fare on this route.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $60 each way per bag on Frontier, $240 for two round trip); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$430 per person, round trip
$860 for two, taxes and fees included · Frontier · 1 stop · 5h 35m
Out Fri, Oct 23, 8:21 PM – Fri, Oct 23, 11:56 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $430 | 1 stop | 5h 35m |
| Alaska. Operated by SkyWest Airlines as Alaska SkyWest | $639 | nonstop | 3h 19m |
| Alaska | $561 | 1 stop | 8h 40m |
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, 1:28 AM CDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Tweak this trip
Why now
At $430 per person, the Frontier fare is $22 below the typical fare on this route, about 5% under the $452 median of our 16 earlier checks. With the hotel, taxes and fees in, the whole weekend comes to $1,138 for two. A checked bag, about $240 for two, and spending money come on top. The forecast is the other reason: clear all three days, with highs of 74°F Friday, 83°F Saturday and 87°F Sunday and rain chances between 9% and 14%. That's beach weather for Coronado or Sunset Cliffs. The flight lands late Friday, so Saturday is your one full day. Save it for the zoo or the La Jolla sea caves, then keep Sunday for the coast. These prices were all-in when we checked, and they can change.
The kind of trip this is
This is a quick beach-and-city weekend: sun, fish tacos, the zoo or a museum, and a sunset over the cliffs. It suits a couple or two friends who travel light, don't mind a private room in a hostel and like walking around downtown. The pace is brisk, since Saturday is the one full day, and Sunday goes to the coast before the trip home.
Weather in San Diego, Oct 23–25
Highs 74–87°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | 74 °F | 65 °F | 14% |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 83 °F | 69 °F | 13% |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 87 °F | 70 °F | 9% |
Where to stay in San Diego
The hotel in the total is HI San Diego Downtown Hostel: a Private Double Room for $248 for the stay ($124 a night), rated 8.6 from 1,561 reviews, plus a $30 fee paid at the property. It's the highest-rated of the three. It sits in the Gaslamp Quarter / Downtown area, where you can walk to the nightlife, Petco Park and the waterfront. Heritage Inn San Diego, on Midway-Pacific Highway, is $291 for the stay ($146 a night) for a Standard Queen Room, rated 6.4 from 1,317 reviews, with a $38 fee at the property. EZ 8 Motel Old Town is $371 for the stay ($186 a night) for a Queen Room with Garden View, rated 5.7 from 1,853 reviews, with a $48 fee at the property. All three are room only and offer free cancellation.
HI San Diego Downtown Hostel
$248 for 2 nights, two guests · $124 a night
See roomsHeritage Inn San Diego
$291 for 2 nights, two guests · $146 a night
See roomsEZ 8 Motel Old Town
$371 for 2 nights, two guests · $186 a night
See roomsAll hotels in San Diego for these dates
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Where in San Diego
- Gaslamp Quarter / Downtown: Nightlife, Petco Park and the waterfront on foot.
- La Jolla: Coves, sea lions and upscale village hotels.
- Coronado: Wide beach and the landmark Hotel del Coronado.
- Mission Beach / Pacific Beach: Boardwalk, surf and a young bar scene.
- Mission Valley: Chain hotels with easy freeway access to the zoo and parks.
What to do in San Diego
- Spend Saturday at the San Diego Zoo and the Balboa Park museums
- Kayak the sea caves at La Jolla, then stay for the sea lions
- Swim at Coronado Beach beside the Hotel del Coronado
- Tour the USS Midway aircraft carrier on the downtown waterfront
- Eat fish tacos and drink craft beer in North Park
- Watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs
Also worth it
- Visit the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park museums
Tours and tickets in San Diego
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Getting there and around
| Airports in Austin | Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) |
|---|---|
| Airports in San Diego | San Diego International (SAN) |
| Flight time | 5h 35m (1 stop) |
| Distance | 1,155 miles each way |
| Time difference | -2 hours |
What 2 nights in San Diego costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $860 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (HI San Diego Downtown Hostel) | $248 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $520 |
| Total for two | $1,628 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Austin to San Diego
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $430 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $318 (Oct 15, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $452 |
| Price checks | 16 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for San Diego.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed, and the currency is the US dollar.
- San Diego is 2 hours behind Austin.
- The outbound Frontier flight leaves Austin-Bergstrom at 8:21 PM and reaches San Diego International at 11:56 PM, with one stop.
- The fare doesn't include a checked bag, which is about $240 for two.
- All three hotels are room only and offer free cancellation.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Worth it if a one-stop flight and a hostel private room suit you. The fare is $430 per person, $22 below the typical fare on this route. The forecast is clear with highs of 74–87°F, and the room is rated 8.6.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $1,138 for two, all in: $860 in flights, $248 for 2 nights at HI San Diego Downtown Hostel and its $30 fee at the property. A checked bag, about $240 for two, and spending money are extra.
Is there a nonstop?
Yes. Alaska, operated by SkyWest, has a 6:00 AM nonstop that takes 3h 19m, at $639 per person, or $1,278 for two. The Frontier flight in our total has one stop and takes 5h 35m.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, so a passport isn't needed and you pay in US dollars.
What is the weather like?
The forecast is clear all three days, with highs of 74°F on Friday, 83°F on Saturday and 87°F on Sunday. Rain chances are between 9% and 14%.
Is 2 nights enough?
It's enough for a long weekend if you plan ahead. The flight lands at 11:56 PM Friday, so give Saturday to the zoo or La Jolla and spend Sunday at Coronado or Sunset Cliffs.
Also found for you
The newest finds from Austin.
Just found · from AustinWorth it, if
Honolulu & Oahu
Nov 14–23, 2026 · 9 nights
- $568 per person, $62 below the typical fare on this route
- Holiday Surf Hotel in Waikiki: 8.7 from 808 reviews, full kitchen
- Highs of 81–82°F and North Shore big-wave season in November
$2,885 for two · 9 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $1,136 + hotel $1,511 + resort fee $238, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Alaska. Operated by SkyWest Airlines as Alaska SkyWest + Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines · with a stop · 22h 45m
The catch: It takes two stops and 22h 45m to get there, and a checked bag is about $140 for two, which isn't in the total.
Worth it if you can handle a long travel day for nine Waikiki nights; skip it if you need a short, simple flight.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from AustinLowest in 30 daysWorth it, if
Great Smoky Mountains
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- Fare $277 per person below the typical fare on this route
- Zoders Inn and Suites in Gatlinburg: 8.2 from 1,812 reviews
- Peak fall foliage month, typical highs of 60–65°F
$1,068 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $752 + hotel $284 + resort fee $32, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · with a stop · 16h 12m
The catch: One stop and 16h 12m on the way out, a 6:30 AM flight home, and a checked bag is about $200 for two.
Worth it if you want fall color and trails for less than usual; skip it if a 16h 12m travel day would ruin the weekend.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from AustinNot worth it this week
Great Smoky Mountains
Oct 16–18, 2026 · 2 nights
- Delta, one stop, 4h 34m, landing at 10:54 AM Friday
- Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa scores 8.5 from 481 reviews
- Sunday, Oct 18 looks clear at 65°F with a 2% rain chance
$2,212 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $1,348 + hotel $776 + resort fee $88, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Delta · with a stop · 4h 34m
The catch: Rain is 78% likely on Friday and Saturday, the fare is $10 above the typical $664, and a checked bag is about $140 for two.
Worth it if a wet Saturday and peak-foliage crowds don't bother you; skip it if you want two dry days on the trails.
Tweak this trip
More trips
The weekend after · from AustinLowest in 30 daysWorth it, if
Las Vegas
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- $363 per person, $86 below the typical fare on this route
- Harrah's at $236 for the stay, 7.9 from 10,363 reviews
- Highs of 73–76°F, good for the Strip and Red Rock Canyon
$990 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $726 + hotel $236 + resort fee $28, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $240
Frontier · with a stop · 5h 22m
The catch: The $363 fare has one stop and takes 5h 22m, landing at 11:43 PM Friday, and a checked bag is about $240 for two, not in the total.
Worth it if a late Friday arrival works for a two-night weekend; skip it if you need a nonstop or plan to check bags.
Just found · from Austin63% below typical
Orlando
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- Frontier nonstop from Austin, 2h 36m, $124 per person
- $219 below the typical fare on this route, 64% under
- Mid-November highs of 74–78°F for long park days
$1,020 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $248 + hotel $695 + resort fee $77, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $240
Frontier · nonstop · 2h 36m
The catch: Frontier's fare doesn't cover a checked bag, which runs about $240 for two, and the Courtyard has no free cancellation.
Worth it if the two of you want a week of theme parks in mild weather; skip it if you need a hotel you can cancel for free at the lowest rate.
Just found · from AustinWorth it, if
Honolulu & Oahu
Nov 14–23, 2026 · 9 nights
- $568 per person, $62 below the typical fare on this route
- Holiday Surf Hotel in Waikiki: 8.7 from 808 reviews, full kitchen
- Highs of 81–82°F and North Shore big-wave season in November
$2,885 for two · 9 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $1,136 + hotel $1,511 + resort fee $238, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Alaska. Operated by SkyWest Airlines as Alaska SkyWest + Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines · with a stop · 22h 45m
The catch: It takes two stops and 22h 45m to get there, and a checked bag is about $140 for two, which isn't in the total.
Worth it if you can handle a long travel day for nine Waikiki nights; skip it if you need a short, simple flight.
Just found · from AustinLowest in 30 daysWorth it, if
Great Smoky Mountains
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- Fare $277 per person below the typical fare on this route
- Zoders Inn and Suites in Gatlinburg: 8.2 from 1,812 reviews
- Peak fall foliage month, typical highs of 60–65°F
$1,068 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $752 + hotel $284 + resort fee $32, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · with a stop · 16h 12m
The catch: One stop and 16h 12m on the way out, a 6:30 AM flight home, and a checked bag is about $200 for two.
Worth it if you want fall color and trails for less than usual; skip it if a 16h 12m travel day would ruin the weekend.
All trips from Austin · San Diego from every city · Prices on this route · Trips in October 2026 · Home
San Diego in pictures
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. We use AI tools to draft the text of each page from the data on it; code checks every number in the draft against that data and rejects what does not match, and the team reviews pages and fixes or removes what readers report. How we pick · Report a mistake.
Image credits
- Photo: Soly Moses / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Kindel Media / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels, Pexels License