Getting to & Navigating the San Diego International Airport

Taxi Line at Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport
Getting to and from (SAN)
Curbside drop-off and pickup are permitted at the San Diego Airport, so it’s easy for friends or business contacts to pick you up from the airport. Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, also take advantage of this flexibility. Many travelers rely on the airport’s taxis or shuttles to take them to a local destination, and luxury hotels in San Diego often provide transportation services as well.
If you are arriving into San Diego Airport and need a ride you have options. There are special pickup locations for taxis, shuttles as well as for rideshares like Uber and Lyft. If is easy to find, just follow the signs after you pick up your luggage. They are located just across the street from where regular cars can pick up passengers.
Did you know?
Upon approach to landing at the San Diego International Airport your airplane will fly directly over Balboa Park and you can see how big and beautiful this park really is.
To rent a car for added flexibility, you can visit the Consolidated Rental Car Center near the airport. There are also several parking lots with hourly and daily rates available for frequent business travelers.
If you’re driving to the airport after a relaxing and refreshing vacation in San Diego, make sure to leave early so you get to your flight on time. SAN is right next to San Diego Freeway, or Interstate 5. Whether you’re heading north or south on I-5, look for the exit to North Harbor Drive and San Diego International Airport.
San Diego International Airport has two airport terminals arranged next to each other. Reaching your flight is fairly simple thanks to the streamlined layout by the Airport Authority of San Diego. Terminal 1 is located on the east side of the airport and the first terminal that you see while driving to drop off or pick up a passenger. While Terminal 2 is located on the west side of the airport. The terminals are fairly close to each other and walking from one terminal to another is possible via a pedestrian walkway.

Shops at Terminal 1 at the San Diego International Airport
Terminal 1 at SAN
In Terminal 1, you can take direct flights to cities around the U.S., from Chicago to Miami. Business travelers can return home quickly after a week of meetings, and vacation travelers can enjoy San Diego to the fullest before arriving home right on time for Monday morning at the office. Terminal 1 features carriers such as Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country and Allegiant Air.

Terminal 2 Check in and Restaurants at San Diego International Airport
Terminal 2 at SAN
Terminal 2 is the main terminal for international flights. Here in terminal 2 you can find carriers such as American Airlines, Alaska, Delta, United, Hawaiian Airlines, Air Canada, Edelweiss, British Airways, Lufthansa, WestJet and Japan Airlines. SAN lets you fly nonstop from San Diego to Tokyo, Toronto, Honolulu, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, London, Frankfurt, Zurich and other locations. All in all, you can travel directly to 60 national and international destinations.
Things to Do Near the San Diego International Airport
The San Diego International Airport is located in the middle of the city. There are many things very close to the airport if you are stuck on a long layover or just in town for a few days.
Make sure to check out Little Italy San Diego its great food and drinks. You can even join a food walking tour that includes lots of history about the neighborhood.
The Embarcadero is another spot in Downtown San Diego that is not to miss. The USS Midway, an aircraft carrier museum, is located in the Embarcadero and it is definitely worth checking out.