The airport handles connections to Mexico and some international destinations alongside domestic routes, spread across two terminals (1 and 2).
Gateway to San Diego, a coastal city with mild year-round climate, famous for its beaches and zoo.
How to get to San Diego International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to SAN
Parking near San Diego International Airport
Economy lots cost around $20/day; terminal garages up to around $32/day; valet $40/day; off-site affiliated lots start from $8.95/day.
How to get to San Diego from SAN
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at San Diego International Airport
All major car rental companies have desks in the Rental Car Center, reachable by free shuttle.
With a license in Latin characters, for a short period driver's license, passport and credit card are enough, without IDP.
Hotels near San Diego International Airport
Airport area: Harbor Island and Liberty Station
Free hotel shuttle or taxi, about 5 minutes from the terminal.
Best for: Anyone with a dawn flight or a short connection who doesn't want to worry about traffic.
- Free shuttle to the terminal
- Many rooms with bay views
- Residential area, little life in the evening
- Few independent restaurants nearby
Recommended hotels
- Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island On the Harbor Island waterfront, a mile from the terminal with a free shuttle until 23:30. View availability
- Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station In the heart of Liberty Station, overlooking the water, 3-4 minutes by car from the terminal with a free shuttle. View availability
- Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport-Liberty Station Suites with kitchen and hot breakfast, useful for families or multi-night stays near the terminal. View availability
Old Town
Free shuttle to the terminal running from 5 am to midnight, about 10 minutes.
Best for: Anyone who wants the historic Mexican quarter and the station with trolley and Amtrak links to the rest of the city.
- Free shuttle almost 24 hours a day
- Old Town station with trolley links across San Diego
- Quiet evenings outside the historic park
- Still need a way to reach downtown
Recommended hotels
- Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town by IHG 1.6 km from the Old Town historic park, free shuttle to the terminal, Amtrak station and cruise port. View availability
- Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town Spanish mission-style courtyard, a block from the Old Town trolley/Amtrak station. View availability
Gaslamp Quarter and downtown
Taxi or rideshare, about 5-12 minutes from the terminal; bus route 992, about 28 minutes.
Best for: Anyone who wants to visit the city, the Convention Center or the harbor without driving.
- Walking distance from restaurants, bars and the harbor
- One of the highest walkability scores in the city
- Higher rates on weekends with events at the Convention Center
- Nighttime noise on the streets with bars
Recommended hotels
- Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Across from the Convention Center and two blocks from Petco Park, in the most central spot in the district. View availability
- Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark Connected to Petco Park by a walkway, convenient for anyone attending a game or an event at the stadium. View availability
- The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego A historic 1910 hotel right in the heart of the Gaslamp, with the Grant Grill and a permanent art collection. View availability
Pacific Beach and Mission Bay
About 20-25 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal, off the direct route from downtown.
Best for: Anyone adding beach days who prefers to sleep right on the beach.
- A few steps from the beach and the boardwalk
- Lively neighborhood in the evening, lots of bars
- A car or taxi is needed, no direct trolley connection
- Farther from the airport than the other areas
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 4
- with Priority Pass
- 1
- paid entry
- from 44.18 USD
- earliest opening
- 04:45
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The 2 terminals (1 and 2) are connected by an internal shuttle system.
Those flying on international flights would do well to calculate 2.5-3 hours advance.
Map of San Diego International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can you reach Tijuana from San Diego airport?
Not directly on foot: you first need to get to the San Ysidro border crossing, one of the busiest land borders in the world, reachable from the airport by car, taxi, or public transport with a transfer.
Q. Will bus 992's fares change?
Yes, from the current 2.50 USD they will rise to 3 USD in autumn 2026 and to 3.25 USD the following year.
Q. Is there a trolley directly to San Diego airport?
No, the Green Line trolley stops at the Rental Car Center, reachable from the terminals with a free shuttle.
Q. Does San Diego Airport have connections to Mexico?
Yes, besides domestic routes, there are connections to Mexican destinations and other international ones.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
Aspire Lounge (Terminal 2).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is 44.18 USD, at Aspire Lounge (Terminal 2).
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 04:45: Delta Sky Club (Terminal 2).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
