San Diego Airport Parking

San Diego International Airport serves 24 million passengers annually, more than one million of these are international and it’s seen record increases in passenger volumes over the past five years. With 500 non-stop and connecting flights daily to more than 60 non-stop markets in North America, Europe and Asia, it’s one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world.

You’ll find it 4.8km northwest of downtown San Diego, California and main carriers are American, Southwest, United, Alaska and Delta Air. It directly employs over 67,000 people and has an economic output of $6 billion. The airport’s operations also extend beyond passengers — it processed over 190,000 tons of freight and mail in 2017.

With over 140 shops, restaurants and other outlets, travelers are spoiled for choice. It’s been named in the top five US airports in the Conde Nast Business Travel Awards, won the 2018 City of San Diego Recycler of the Year award and was named Most Innovative Large Hub Airport in the US in 2018 by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

San Diego International Airport location and transport links

A short hop from downtown San Diego, it’s simple to reach the airport via Route 992 — catch an MTS bus in front of Starbucks at Kettner Boulevard and West Broadway and you’ll be there in around 15 minutes. The Sycuan Green Trolley Line also takes you from the city center to Middletown Airport, close to the north end of the airport.

Meanwhile, if you’re driving, SAN is close to the I-5 San Diego Freeway route which connects it to downtown and there are further connections to the I-8 and I-15 interstates, as well as state route US-163.

In terms of trains, COASTER and Amtrak Intercity services connect travelers from Los Angeles and Orange counties to San Diego, as well as those from smaller communities in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Solano Beach and Sorrento Valley.

Finally, if you want to travel in style, you can also hire luxury sedans and limousines to take you to and from the airport — search online for details but verify that you’re booking with a service licensed to pick up passengers in the airport.

Which terminal?

With two terminals, San Diego International Airport is easier to navigate than some of its larger competitors.

The airport is currently served by 16 carriers, with domestic airlines focused at Terminal 1 and international counterparts at Terminal 2.

The airlines currently offering public flights to and from San Diego Airport can be found on the San Diego Airport website

SAN airport history

San Diego Municipal Airport-Lindbergh Field opened on a 125-acre site with a 2,500 foot-long runway in 1928 and was named in honor of the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight by Charles Lindbergh in the Spirit of St Louis the previous year. It was renamed San Diego International Airport in 1934 after the US Treasury department declared it a permanent international airport of entry.

The runway was expanded to its current size of 8750 feet in 1942 under an expansion program overseen by the US Army Air Corps, who had commandeered the site as a hub to accommodate long-range WWII bombers.

Terminals 1 and 2 opened in 1967 and 1979 respectively, the now defunct Commuter Terminal opened in 1996 and a $1 billion expansion of Terminal 2 was completed in 2013. As passenger numbers surge, it’s inevitable that subsequent improvements and extensions continue in the coming years.

Useful tips

Airport info

Stay tuned to the latest airport info by switching your radio to 1690 AM to listen to check-in and security updates and lists of permitted on-flight items.

Parking your vehicle curbside

Don’t park your vehicle curbside — this isn’t permitted in airport grounds unless you’re dropping off or picking up passengers in designated areas. If you leave your vehicle at the curb unattended, it might be towed away.

Arrive early

Get there at least two hours prior to departure. As in all airports, increased security measures mean that queues can be longer than expected.

Get ready

Prep your tickets and ID — having your passport and paper or electronic tickets to hand means you’ll move swiftly through security to your boarding area.

Directions to San Diego airport by car

For directions to San Diego international airport use the address of 3225 N Harbour Dr, San Diego, CA, 92101.

Vehicles arriving from I-5 North should take the San Diego Airport / Hawthorn Street Exit. The carry on to N Harbor Drive before turning right. Terminal 1 is 3.2 km ahead on the right and Terminal 2 is 0.4 km further on.

If coming from I-5 Southbound, take the San Diego Airport / Sassafras St exit. This takes you onto Kettner Boulevard. Turn right at the Sassafras St traffic lights, then turn left onto Pacific Highway. At the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Laurel St. Take Laurel St to the next set of lights, then turn right onto N Harbor Drive. The terminals are 3.2 km ahead on your right.

If you’re arriving from State Route 163 Southbound, exit at I-5 North and use the I-5 North directions described.

From I-8, take State Route 163 or I-5 Southbound and take I-5 Southbound directions above.

To San Diego airport by bus

Coaches from Greyhound and Flixbus arrive in San Diego’s main bus terminal from most major US cities. You can then catch an MTS Route 992 bus from downtown San Diego straight to Terminal 1 or 2 — they operate between 5am and 11:30pm, every 15 minutes during weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends.

To San Diego airport by train

Travelers from Los Angeles, Orange country and beyond can reach San Diego International Airport via Amtrak Intercity and COASTER trains.

You’ll arrive at the Santa Fe Depot train station in the heart of downtown, then simply hop on the route 992 bus to reach both airport terminals in around 10 minutes.

San Diego is an airport that’s going from strength to strength and as annual passenger have swollen to 24 million, so have the services and facilities that support them. It houses 140 aviation-related tenants and boasts 85 food and shopping concessions across its two terminals.

It’s also an attractive airport — executive architect SGPA were charged with the recent 320,000 foot Terminal 2 extension, which includes a new baggage system, ticketing concourse and eight new gates. The exterior has a sleek, angular modernist style, while public art installations throughout the spacious interior add to the welcoming ambience.

The whole facility is patrolled by 350 friendly and knowledgeable Airport Ambassadors who are happy to point you in the right direction and offer advice on any topic — you’ll spot them easily in their green polo shirts. If you need information before you reach the airport, call customer services on +1 619 400 2404.

Services and facilities include:

• Short and long-term covered and uncovered parking both onsite and offsite.

• Valet and Park and Ride Parking options with regular shuttle buses.

• Parking for travelers with disabilities and accessibility features like courtesy vehicles, TDD phones, visual paging monitors and special assistance at security and boarding.

• Wheelchair-accessible bus, shuttle, taxicab and rental car provisions.

• Electric vehicle charging stations.

• Nearby hotels with shuttle service connections.

• Shopping — including books and magazines, travel essentials and tech, sunglasses, beachwear and souvenirs.

• Restaurants, cafes and food outlets — including food and beverage self-serve vending machines, craft cocktails and New American cuisine, gourmet sandwiches and salads, craft beers, fresh bagels and artisan coffee, Asian food and burgers.

• Lounges from USO, Airspace, Be Relax and various air carriers.

• Spas.

• Public Art installations.

• ATMs.

• Bicycle lockers.

• Currency exchange.

• Visitor information services.

• Three new lactation rooms in Terminals 1 and 2.

• Luggage carts.

• Courtesy phones.

• Toilets.

• Emergency medical services

• Ready, pet, go service with 18 therapy dogs for passengers to interact with.

San Diego Airport hotel and parking

Several hotels within a few kilometers of San Diego offer park, sleep, fly packages and there are options to suit every budget.

Deals vary, so you’ll have to check with each individual hotel how long you can stow your car for — but in some circumstances, the cost of paying for a room with free parking competes with on and offsite parking, so it’s worth comparing with official airport options and Looking4.com.

Research San Diego Airport park, sleep and fly hotels online to weigh up your options.

Treat your kids to a toy

Even the best behaved youngsters can get a little antsy while waiting for a flight, so distract them for the duration with puzzles, stuffed animals, stickers and building bricks from the Kids Love San Diego store. Located at Terminal 2 West Floor 2, it also stocks toys, apparel, educational playsets and San Diego-themed trinkets.

Retail therapy with shades, swimwear and gadgets

While you’re treating kids, don’t forget to be kind to yourself too — San Diego Airport is a hotspot for all forms of retail therapy.

Shades of Time at Terminal 1, Floor 1 is a terrific place to pick up a pair of sunglasses from top brands like Ray-Ban and Michael Kors and you’ll also find designer watches to snazz up your vacation style.

Meanwhile, if your holiday destination promises sun, sea and surf, The Beach House at Terminal 1 stocks stylish sarongs, hats, sunscreen, beach bags and on-trend Havaianas flip-flops.

Last but not least, keep up with the latest tech trends and splash out on a neat gadget at Terminal 1’s Tech on the Go, where you’ll find headphones, chargers, cameras and computer bags from big brands like Beats, Belkin, Sony and Skullcandy.

Chow down on brilliant BBQ, premium pizza and awesome Asian food

If you’re yearning for mouth-watering BBQ, you can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Phil’s BBQ, Terminal 2 West, Floor 2. There’s lots to choose from, but the mesquite grilled baby back and beef ribs are to die for.

Pizza fans can also get their fix at California Pizza Kitchen at Terminal 2 close to Gate 26 — as well as pizza pies with toppings from around the world, there are sumptuous chicken tequila fettuccines and excellent egg and cheese focaccias.

SAN doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Asian food either — Panda Express at Terminal 2 has been serving classic fast-serve and flavor-packed Chinese dishes to hungry travelers for over 30 years.

Collect your thoughts in the meditation room

When traveling frays your nerves and unsettles your senses, finding a quiet space amidst the hustle and bustle is just what the doctor ordered. If you’re seeking serenity, head to The Spirit of Silence meditation room located airside in Terminal 2. It’s a non-denominational sanctuary perfect for aligning mind and body before boarding your flight.

Gaslamp Quarter

The lively Gaslamp Quarter is 5.6 km southeast of San Diego International Airport via North Harbor Drive and it’s the city’s party capital. This 19th Century downtown neighborhood is blessed by elegant architecture and buzzing with nightclubs, bars, art galleries and live music venues like the Balboa Theater. When you want to plug into San Diego’s cultural heart, head straight to the Gaslamp Quarter for cocktails and chatter with the arty party crowd.

San Diego Zoo

If you prefer to walk on the wild side when it comes to tourist attractions, San Diego Zoo is just 8.4km from the airport and packs over 800 amazing animal species in a lush 40.5 hectare site that faithfully replicates each ecosystem required. You’ll find koalas, polar bears, elephants, pandas and more — it’s a perfect pre-flight pitstop if you’re traveling with kids.

San Diego Old Town

San Diego Old Town is just 2.6 km from SAN and you can reach there by bus, trolley or taxi. As you’d expect, it’s the most historic part of the city — attractions include adobe buildings that date back to the 18th Century, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, Presidio Park and the city’s first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel. If educational travel’s your bag, absorbing everything on offer here is a no-brainer.

San Diego Air & Space Museum

Want a distraction that’s truly out of this world? Head 7.7 km east along North Harbor Drive to the San Diego Air 7 Space Museum. Mind-blowing exhibits include a reproduction of the 1901 Wright Glider, an Albatros D Va World War I German fighter plane, the genuine Apollo IX Command Module that took astronauts within striking distance of the moon, a Bell Huey Cobra attack helicopter and much more. The facility also runs fascinating talks and events for all the family throughout the year — check their website to see what’s on while you’re in town.

Legoland California

At 56.8 km north of San Francisco International Airport via I-5 N, Legoland California is the most far-flung of our attractions. But it’ll still take you less than an hour to get there and is well worth the extended trek. If you and your kids are fans of these brightly-colored plastic bricks, you’ll be in seventh heaven in this 52 hectare theme park featuring more than 50 exciting rides, exhilarating shows and amazing attractions.