San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the easiest big airports in the country to use. It sits on the bay about three miles from downtown, it has two terminals, and most hotels in the city are a 10 to 20 minute drive away. Our chauffeurs are there every day, so this guide covers what we see from the curb: which terminal your airline uses, where to park, how early to arrive and the simplest ways to get to your hotel.
Quick answer: SAN has two terminals. The new Terminal 1 serves Southwest, Air Canada, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and WestJet. Terminal 2 serves Alaska, American, Delta, United, British Airways, Copa, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines and KLM. Terminal parking costs $3 per 15 minutes with a $40 daily maximum, valet is $60 a day, and the cell phone lot is free. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one.
Book Your RideSan Diego International Airport at a glance
If you have ever asked “SAN is what airport?”, the answer is San Diego International Airport. SAN is its three-letter code. Locals still call it Lindbergh Field, and you will also see the older name San Diego-Lindbergh airport. People shorten it to “SD airport” too. All of these names mean the same place on Harbor Drive, next to the bay and Little Italy.
- Code: SAN
- Location: on the waterfront, about three miles northwest of downtown
- Terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (with East and West sections)
- Operator: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
San Diego airport terminals and airlines
SAN has two terminals, and they sit side by side along Harbor Drive. You cannot walk between them airside, so check your terminal before you leave home. The airport opened the first phase of its New Terminal 1 in September 2025, and the old Terminal 1 closed at the same time. More gates are being added in stages through 2028.
Which airlines use Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
| Terminal | Airlines | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (new) | Southwest, Air Canada, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country, WestJet | Southwest is SAN’s largest airline. Air Canada and WestJet moved here in January 2026. |
| Terminal 2 East | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines | Shares the Terminal 2 curb and parking plaza with T2 West. |
| Terminal 2 West | Delta, United, British Airways, Copa, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines, KLM | British Airways, Japan Airlines and KLM long-haul flights leave from here. |
Airlines can change terminals while construction continues. Your boarding pass and the airline app are the final word on the day you fly.
San Diego Int’l Airport and Terminal 2 East
Terminal 2 is the larger building. Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West share one roadway, one curb and one parking plaza, so for a drop-off or pickup they work as one terminal. Tell your driver “Terminal 2” and the airline, and they will stop at the right doors.
San Diego International Airport directory
The airport’s website has a full shops, dining and services directory for each terminal. A few things worth knowing before you land:
- Free Wi-Fi: join the network “#Official SAN Wi-fi”. Sessions last two hours, and you can reconnect for more time.
- Nursing rooms: several in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 2 West.
- CLEAR lanes: at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 West checkpoints.
- Information desks: near baggage claim, with free maps and guides.
What time does the San Diego airport open?
The airport itself is open 24 hours a day. What changes is the flight schedule. SAN has a departure curfew: planes may not take off between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. without a penalty. Arrivals are allowed at any hour.
In practice, airline ticket counters usually open around 5 a.m. The first wave of departures leaves just after 6:30 a.m., and that is the busiest hour of the morning at security. If you are on an early flight, an early pickup is worth it. Our chauffeurs often collect guests downtown before 5 a.m. for this reason.
How early to get to San Diego airport
The airport recommends at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Your airline may set its own cut-off times for bag drop, so check those too.
- Carry-on only, domestic, midday: SAN is often quick, but two hours is still the safe plan.
- Checked bags or families: add time for the bag drop line and for unloading strollers and car seats.
- First flights of the day (6:30 to 8 a.m.): security lines are at their longest. Do not cut it close.
- Big event weekends: Comic-Con, conventions and holiday weekends fill the roads and the terminals.
From downtown hotels the drive to SAN is short, often 10 to 15 minutes. From La Jolla, Del Mar or Carlsbad, allow more time for the I-5. Our hotel to San Diego airport car service page lists drive times and fixed prices from the most popular hotels.
San Diego airport parking
Parking at SAN is close to the terminals but not cheap. Here are the official on-airport options and the rates the airport lists.
| Option | Where it is | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 Parking Plaza | Across from Terminal 1 | $3 per 15 minutes, $40 daily maximum |
| Terminal 2 Parking Plaza | Across from Terminal 2 | $3 per 15 minutes, $40 daily maximum |
| Valet parking | Curbside at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 entrances | $60 per day |
| Cell phone waiting lot | McCain Road, a few minutes from the terminals | Free, 1-hour limit |
Rates are set by the airport and can change, so check the posted rates before a long trip. Private off-airport lots near the airport also run shuttles, but their prices vary by day and by booking site.
Is parking worth it?
For a one-week trip, terminal parking at the daily maximum adds up to $280, and valet is $420. For a family or a group, one round trip in a private SUV often costs about the same, and nobody has to walk across a garage with luggage at midnight. For a short day trip on your own, parking can be the cheaper choice.
The cell phone waiting lot
If you are collecting someone, use the free cell phone lot instead of circling the terminals. Airport traffic officers do not let cars wait at the curb. Stay in the lot until your traveler has their bags and is standing outside, then drive over.
San Diego airport pick up: your options
Once you leave baggage claim, you have several ways to reach your hotel or home. Here is how they compare.
| Option | Where to find it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Private car service | Outside arrivals, or inside at baggage claim with Meet & Greet | Fixed price per vehicle, flight tracking, door to door, child seats on request |
| Taxi | Outside the terminals; follow the taxi signs | Metered fare, no booking needed, lines can grow at peak times |
| MTS bus Route 992 | Stops at Terminals 1 and 2 | Every 15 minutes, about 4:15 a.m. to midnight, to downtown at Broadway and Kettner |
| San Diego Flyer shuttle | Stops at Terminals 1 and 2 | Free shuttle to the Old Town Transit Center for the Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak |
| Rental Car Center shuttle | Shuttle stops outside each terminal | Free dedicated buses to all rental companies in one building |
| Hotel courtesy shuttles | Transportation islands outside both terminals | Free if your hotel runs one; schedules vary |
The Trolley does not stop at the airport, so rail riders connect through the Flyer or Route 992. The bus is the cheapest way downtown if you travel light. With several bags, children or a group, a car is far easier.
How our airport pickup works at SAN
We collect guests at both terminals every day. Here is what happens when you book with Trip Limo Service.
- Curbside pickup (standard): your chauffeur meets you at the curb outside arrivals. We text you when you land. Once you have your bags, walk out to the arrivals curb. Your chauffeur meets you there and texts you the exact door.
- Meet & Greet (+$30): your chauffeur waits inside at baggage claim with a name sign and helps with your luggage. It is a good choice after a long flight, with children, or for a first visit to San Diego.
- Flight tracking: we follow your flight, so an early or late landing is no problem. Your chauffeur waits up to 1 hour after landing at no extra charge.
Chauffeur tip: at Terminal 2, East and West share one curb. Walk out of the baggage claim doors on your side and stay put. It is much easier for your chauffeur to find you than for you to find a car while walking the length of the terminal.
Read more on our San Diego airport car service page.
From SAN to your hotel
Because the airport is so close to downtown, most rides to the Gaslamp Quarter, the Convention Center and the waterfront take about 10 to 15 minutes. Two of the hotels we drive to most often:
- San Diego Airport to Manchester Grand Hyatt, on the bay next to Seaport Village
- San Diego Airport to The US Grant Hotel, in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter
For La Jolla, Coronado, Mission Bay, Del Mar and North County resorts, see fixed prices for every hotel on our San Diego airport to hotel car service page.
Flying into Los Angeles instead? Many visitors find a direct flight to LAX and a private drive south simpler than a connection. See our LAX to San Diego car service, or go the other way with San Diego to LAX.
What is included in every airport ride
- A fixed price per vehicle, shown before you book. It covers the vehicle, the chauffeur, fuel and tolls. Airport rides start from $85.
- Black SUVs only: Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon XL or Chevrolet Suburban.
- Up to 6 passengers and 5 large bags in each vehicle.
- Child seats at $20 each, up to 2 per vehicle.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Gratuity is not included in the price. A tip for your chauffeur is optional.
San Diego airport FAQ
What airport is SAN?
SAN is the code for San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field. It is the main commercial airport for San Diego and sits on the bay about three miles from downtown.
How many terminals does San Diego airport have?
Two. Terminal 1 opened as a new building in September 2025. Terminal 2 has an East and a West section that share one curb and one parking plaza.
Which terminal is Southwest at San Diego airport?
Southwest flies from the new Terminal 1, together with Air Canada, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and WestJet.
Does San Diego airport have free Wi-Fi?
Yes. Connect to “#Official SAN Wi-fi”. Each session lasts two hours, and you can reconnect for more time.
Is San Diego airport open 24 hours?
Yes, the airport is open 24 hours. Departures are not scheduled between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. because of the curfew, and ticket counters usually open around 5 a.m.
How much is parking at San Diego airport?
The Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 parking plazas cost $3 per 15 minutes with a $40 daily maximum. Valet is $60 per day. The cell phone waiting lot is free for up to one hour.
Where does my chauffeur meet me at SAN?
With standard service, your chauffeur meets you at the curb outside arrivals and texts you the exact spot. With Meet & Greet (+$30), your chauffeur waits inside at baggage claim with a name sign.
What happens if my flight is late?
We track your flight and adjust the pickup time. Your chauffeur waits up to 1 hour after landing at no extra charge.
Book your San Diego airport ride
Enter your flight, pickup time and address on the booking page to see the fixed price for each SUV before you pay. You can pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Book Your RideQuestions before you book? Call us at (858) 413-8888.