Travelling from San Diego to Osaka: what you need to know
Planning your holiday begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in San Diego. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the city's main base, so explore your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Osaka departing from here.
Hop off the plane at Osaka's chief entry point, Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Osaka's timezone is UTC+9, which makes Osaka 16 hours ahead of San Diego.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your San Diego to Osaka flight.
If you're travelling during a peak month like July, make your way to the airport even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Check-in and security lines will be longer during holiday periods like Christmas, New Year and spring break.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Osaka
To pick up cheap San Diego to Osaka flights, book early. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from San Diego to Osaka.
Snapping up a cheap flight from San Diego to Osaka couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your San Diego to Osaka flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing San Diego to Osaka flights leaving from San Diego International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Narita International Airport (NRT)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
SAN is about 3 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 20 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from San Diego to Osaka or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of the flights that depart from San Diego International Airport, 71.38% touch down on time at their destination.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Osaka
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is approximately 40 kilometres from central Osaka. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 45 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near KIX if you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Osaka. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Kansai International Airport rental car and explore Osaka and beyond with your own wheels. BEST KANSAI CAR RENTAL, BE KOBE and TravelCar are top providers to choose from here.
To secure the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Kansai International Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to your departure date.
The address for KIX is 1 Senshukukokita, Izumisano.
Itami Airport (ITM)
The centre of Osaka is located around 13 kilometres from Itami Airport (ITM). After your flight from San Diego to Osaka has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.
Europcar, Times and Rakuten make collecting an Itami Airport rental car quick and easy. These providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from ITM a few weeks in advance so you can simply get the keys and go.
You can find Itami Airport at 3丁目555 Nishimachi, Hotarugaike, Toyonaka.
Kobe Airport (UKB)
Kobe Airport (UKB) is around 26 kilometres from the centre of Osaka. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the city centre by ride-share or cab after your flight from San Diego to Osaka.
Start your journey without stressing about how to reach your destination with a Kobe Airport rental car. You can book with trusted companies here like Europcar, Times and Rakuten.
If you're hoping for a specific kind of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at getting exactly what you want. Reserve your ride from UKB at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from San Diego to Osaka.
Kobe Airport's street address is 1 Kobekuko, Chuo Ward.
Best time to go to Osaka
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from San Diego to Osaka. June is the busiest month for a trip to Osaka. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your San Diego to Osaka tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Osaka, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).
Look for cheap flights from San Diego to Osaka in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.
More about Osaka
Start your Osaka trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Diego to Osaka, check out our range of hotels including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan are essential stops on your Osaka itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
You've done Osaka, now it's time to explore more of Japan. Travel around 386 kilometres east to Yokohama to check off its popular sights. From Teishoin to Seya Christian Church and Banfukuji, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 137 kilometres north-east of Osaka, Nagoya is another essential stop in Japan. Experience major highlights starting with Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine and Osu Kannon Temple.