£252 Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

Jose Maria Cordova Intl. Airport (MDE) is the major airport serving Santa Barbara.

Jose Maria Cordova Intl. Airport (MDE) is 40 kms (25 miles) from downtown Santa Barbara, so be prepared for a reasonable commute into the city centre.

With just one major airport operating in Santa Barbara, it won't take much time to find the best flight. You'll be jetting off to Medellin Airport, which sits around 40 kms (25 miles) from the downtown area.

There are 13 air carriers connecting Santa Barbara with 36 airports across the world.

Typically, travellers opt to fly with Avianca, LATAM Airlines and JetSmart when heading off to Santa Barbara. The biggest proportion of these flights come from Bogotá, with Avianca flying this route the most.

Planning an amazing Santa Barbara getaway is child's play when there are 933 direct flights every week to choose from.

The most popular flights to Santa Barbara set off from Bogotá, Cartagena and Santa Marta airports.

If you're flying to Santa Barbara from Bogotá, you'll have a flight duration of 59 minutes. Those taking off from Cartagena can expect to be travelling for 1 hour and 12 minutes. From Santa Marta it's about 1 hour and 14 minutes away.

We've all come across those lucky jet-setters who somehow manage to score incredibly cheap fares every time they fly. Eager to know how to do it for your Santa Barbara holiday? Don't wait until the last minute to secure your flight. Also, shop around and compare your options. If your destination has more than one airport, you may be able to nab a terrific price by flying into a less busy terminal. And finally, remember that it's first in, best dressed. Know what a typical airfare costs and have your credit card ready to book your ticket as soon as you see an unbeatable bargain. The sweetest deals don't last long.

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a seamless experience if you prepare well enough. We've put together a list of top travel tips that will get your Santa Barbara escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, put in your passport, important documents, wallet and vital medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a tablet filled with your favourite movies are good options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a quality neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you step off the plane looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

Being organised before your flight will help make your getaway to Santa Barbara a piece of cake. We've rounded up some handy tips and tricks for a stress-free journey through security:

• First things first. Your ID and travel documents will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them within easy reach so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.