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SAN

San Diego International Airport

San Diego, United States

Where to start
Rideshare or taxi (downtown is ~3 miles)

Downtown San Diego is only ~3 miles away, so rideshare or a taxi is quick and affordable (~10–15 min). Rideshare (Uber/Lyft, plus authorized Opoli and Wingz) picks up at the Transportation Plaza — at T1 across the Sky Bridge, at T2 across the main crosswalk (second lane) — not the arrivals curb. There's no direct trolley to the terminals, but the free San Diego Flyer shuttle runs to the Old Town Transit Center for Trolley/Amtrak connections, and MTS Route 992 goes to downtown. Note Terminal 1 is under reconstruction through ~2028, so its pickup zones can shift.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Quick door-to-door to downtown, the Gaslamp, Balboa Park, and the beaches

AvailabilityCommonly available; surges at peak arrival banks and late nights
Pickup NoteTransportation Plaza, not the curb. T1: cross the Sky Bridge toward Ground Transportation, then the crosswalk to the third lane. T2: main crosswalk, second lane on the right. Watch for shifting T1 zones during construction.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
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Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare — compare wait and price with Uber

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame Transportation Plaza zones as Uber (T1 across the Sky Bridge; T2 across the main crosswalk). Opoli and Wingz are also authorized operators here.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Licensed Taxi

taxi

No-app metered ride — downtown is a short, reasonable trip

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7
Pickup NoteMetered taxis at the Transportation Plazas outside both terminals. Use only authorized cabs and refuse solicitors.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

MTS Route 992 Bus

shuttle

Lowest-cost direct ride to downtown

AvailabilityRoughly every 15 min
Pickup NoteCurbside at both terminals to downtown's Santa Fe Depot (~15 min). Pay with a PRONTO card/app, contactless, or cash.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

San Diego Flyer (Free Shuttle)

shuttle

Free connection to Trolley/COASTER/Amtrak at Old Town

AvailabilityEvery 20–30 min, roughly 4:45am–12:30am
Pickup NoteFree, all-electric shuttle from the terminal Transportation Islands to the Old Town Transit Center, where you connect to the MTS Trolley, COASTER, and Amtrak.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityPre-book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you with a name sign at the designated ground transportation area. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft (and authorized operators Opoli and Wingz) pick up at the Transportation Plaza at each terminal — NOT the arrivals curb. At T1, exit baggage claim and cross the Sky Bridge toward Ground Transportation, then the crosswalk to the third lane. At T2, take the main crosswalk to the Transportation Plaza and the second lane on the right. Follow signage and your in-app pin. Use only authorized operators and refuse drivers who solicit you.

Taxi

Metered taxis wait at the Transportation Plazas outside both terminals. Use only authorized cabs and refuse anyone soliciting inside the terminal.

Shuttle

Hotel and resort shuttles depart from the lower level. The free, all-electric San Diego Flyer runs from the terminal Transportation Islands to the Old Town Transit Center, where you connect to the MTS Trolley, COASTER, and Amtrak.

Transit

There is no direct trolley or train to the terminals. Take the free San Diego Flyer to the Old Town Transit Center for the MTS Trolley/COASTER/Amtrak, or the MTS Route 992 bus straight to downtown's Santa Fe Depot (~15 min).

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars meet you with a name sign and use the designated ground transportation areas — a tidy option given how close and quick downtown is.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Downtown is only ~3 miles away — a rideshare or taxi to the Gaslamp is quick and affordable (~10–15 min), often the easiest choice straight off the plane.
  • Rideshare and taxi pickup is at the Transportation Plaza, not the arrivals curb — at T1 cross the Sky Bridge, at T2 cross the main crosswalk to the second lane. Use only authorized operators (Uber, Lyft, Opoli, Wingz) and refuse anyone soliciting.
  • There's no trolley or train direct from the terminals — take the free San Diego Flyer to the Old Town Transit Center for the Trolley/COASTER/Amtrak, or the MTS Route 992 bus straight downtown.
  • Terminal 1 is under a major reconstruction through ~2028 — pickup zones and curbs can change, so check current signage and your in-app pin.
  • Rideshare can surge when several flights land at once — give it a few minutes after landing for the surge to ease, or take the 992 bus.
  • Flying into Mexico instead? The CBX cross-border bridge to Tijuana airport is ~20 miles southeast — confirm which airport you actually need.

Tarmyq local tip

San Diego's airport is unusually close to downtown — a rideshare or cab to the Gaslamp is a quick, affordable hop. Just head to the Transportation Plaza for your Uber/Lyft (not the curb), and at Terminal 1 watch for construction-related changes to where pickups happen.